Yoann Barelli of Giant Factory Offroad Racing

2015 North American Enduro Tour Rd #1; Whistler

The North American Enduro Tour kicked its 2015 season off in Whistler, the first event from the series to be held outside of the Lower 48. As part of the newer Go Festival—a series of events generated in an effort to curb the negativity and violence that has a habit of taking the gloss of Whistler’s May Long Weekend (or May 2, 4, or the Victoria Day holiday)—the larger scale race aimed to bring in a number of North America’s top Enduro racers to battle it out in the Whistler wilderness.

A number of people dubbed the race a mini-Crankworx, with some citing that the trails could be used in the 2015 stop of the Enduro World Series, while others thought of it more as an opportunity to further familiarize themselves with the terrain and trails. Everyone looked to it as an opportunity for a good weekend of riding and socializing, which all good races should be.

Below are a range of images that showcase the day. These are from stages one and four, Big Timber and Microclimate. Conditions were incredibly dry and it was hot—unseasonably so for the time of year—a trend that has remained in the area ever since. Nevertheless, the racing was fierce and conditions made for some challenging shooting, but the action was there for the taking.

James Rennie on Micro-Climate, Whistler
James Rennie making this rooty section of Microclimate look smooth
Junior racer at the Whistler NAET Enduro
The juniors were out to have a good time with friends, but they were pinned between the beeps.
Micro-Climate, Whistler
The loam ribbon to finish Microclimate was a treat for all
Leonie Picton at the NAET Whistler
Leonie Picton Calm & Composed in the first corners of the day
Shane Gayton at the Whistler NAET Enduro
Local Whistler lad, Shane Gayton, looking deadly
Leonie Picton racing the Whistler NAET
Leonie Picton on her way to a strong 2nd place overall finish
James Rennie racing the Whistler NAET
Rennie, pushing the mountain back
Finn Iles racing NAET Whistler
Finn Iles was one of the youngest, and fastest through this section of Stage #1, Big Timber
Event winner, Jesse Melamed off the brakes and destroying anything in his path
Event winner, Jesse Melamed off the brakes and destroying anything in his path
Jesse Melamed and Yoann Barelli liase to the next stage
One and Two share a ride to the final timed stage of the day