Round 3, Bologna, Italy, Full Recap

Round 3 of the 2019 WES e-Bike Series went to Italy’s capital of cycling, Bologna, for its XC and Enduro races, as well as the Ride WES day.

The e-Village, with its exhibitors and public events, was situated in the heart of the city, surrounded by the sights and sounds of this historic and cultural hotspot.

Friday was WES XC day, with Enduro on Saturday and Ride WES on Sunday. Find out about the race events below.

XC
Following a slightly different schedule from the previous rounds, the Cross Country race took place on Friday afternoon in the iconic San Luca area where the first stage of the Giro d’Italia was held this year.
 
On home soil, the Olympic Medallist Marco Fontana from Focus Scuderia Fontana led the 8 laps of the race, ending with a steep 25% climb on wet grass. He finished with a clear lead on the rest of the field.
 
Fontana managed to grab some important points for the overall standings and now faces the next and last WES round of the season tied in points with Swiss rider Gustav Wildhaber of CUBE Action Team. The series should end with an exciting battle for the title.

Women XC race Winner, German CUBE Action Team’s Sofia Wiedenroth secured 25 important points, leading the race from start to finish. She took the lead in the general classification, 15 points clear of new world champion Nathalie Schneitter.
 
Although she focuses on Enduro competition, Jessica “Jey” Bormolini clinched second at her home round. She scored 20 important points for SCOTT MrWolf e-Bike Store Racing Team in the overall Teams standings.

Men
1: Marco Aurelio Fontana (Focus Scuderia Fontana)
2: Gustav Wildhaber (CUBE Action Team)
3: Julien Amadori (Convergence S.C. Abymienne)
 
Women
1: Sofia Wiedenroth (CUBE Action Team)
2: Jessica Bormolini (SCOTT MrWolf E-bike Store Racing Team)

Full results

Enduro

The second race day of the WES Italian Round was held in the Bologna Apennine. Riders started from the iconic medieval square of Castiglione dei Pepoli and transferred to Lake Brasimone.
 
The Enduro race consisted of 5 special stages and was specifically designed to test and challenge the WES e-MTB racers to produce a thrilling spectacle.
 
Riders started in bright sunshine and perfect conditions, with some showers later in the day. However, the changeable conditions didn’t dampen the spirits of the riders.
 
The Enduro Men’s race saw an incredibly tight battle in each and every special stage. 10-time Downhill World Champion, Frenchman Nicolas Vouilloz (Lapierre eTeam Bike MTB Team) managed to clinch the first step of the podium in 16’15”43, ahead of Gustav Wildhaber (CUBE ActionTeam) and third Nicolas Quéré (Giant Bicycles France), less than 2” behind.

Women’s race Winner, the Italian Jessica “Jey” Bormolini (SCOTT MrWolf E-bike Store Racing Team) took her first win of the season after getting two second places, 25” clear of Team Peugeot’s Morgane Jonnier and 27” clear of Sofia Wiedenroth (CUBE ActionTeam) from Germany.

The Riders Championship Standings after 3 of 4 Rounds sees Nico Quéré, Nico Vouilloz and Gusti Wildhaber facing the last round within 11 points of each other.
 
Jey Bormolini is now leading the Enduro Women Championship Standings 17 points clear of Sofia Wiedenroth, while Alba Wunderlin is in third place and didn’t manage to score any points here, having missed this Italian Round.

Men
1: Nicolas Vouilloz – Lapierre eTeam Bike MTB Team
2: Gusti Wildhaber – CUBE ActionTeam
3: Nico Quéré – Team Giant Bicycles France
 
Women
1: Jessica Bormolini – SCOTT MrWolf E-bike Store Racing Team
2: Morgane Jonnier – Team Peugeot
3: Sofia Wiedenroth – CUBE Action Team

Full results