OOZY 350 Wheels Debut at Enduro World Series with Cecile Ravanel.

Enduro World Series Round 1 - 24–25 March 2018, Lo Barnechea, Chile

The first round of the Enduro World Series (EWS) kicks off from Lo Barnechea, Chile this weekend 24-25 March with two massive days of riding in the high Andes.  Incorporating 6 stages over the two days, the race also features the longest stage in EWS history.  

Commencal Vallnord Enduro Team, and newly signed SPANK Factory Enduro Race Team, Cecile Ravanel, Yoann Barelli and Cedric Ravanel are training in this unique, barren moonscape right now.  The terrain promises fast and loose racing for a high-paced season starter.  

We catch up with the team, who are currently ranked 4th overall in the series, to find out how their new SPANK OOZY 350 wheels are performing in training, and what their 2018 EWS season is looking like.

Cecile Ravanel - EWS Pro Women No.1 Ranking 2017

EMBA reigning Pro Women’s leader, Cecile Ravanel, has announced that she is reducing the number of EWS events she is riding this year to make room in her schedule for competing in the Crankworx World Tour and possibly some DH World Cups as well.  Still defending her No.1 ranking on the series, every race she does compete in this year counts critically towards her 2018 rankings.  As such, it was a bold step to make a change onto a new wheel brand, as well as a new rim technology.

Team manager Cedric Ravanel explains,

“Our friends Myriam and Remi on The Commencal Vallnord DH Race team, have been running Spank wheels for three seasons, and Commencal has also spec’d Spank wheels on some of their top Meta and Furious builds.  With these synergies and the great feedback from our DH Team, we wanted to see what the fuss was about. We wanted a stiff wheel that keeps its lateral strength, while also being tolerant of shocks.  Only an aluminium wheel could offer this, and our training and testing to date has validated Spank’s claims of the Oozy 350 wheels.  We are proud to run Spank wheels for 2018.”

Cecile’s feelings on performance in her training build-up to EWS Round 1 this weekend,

“These wheels really help carry more speed through turns and exit with more power.  I am not losing grip in the tricky parts.  The added speed and comfort gives me noticeably better performance.  What more could I ask for?”

Yoann Barelli, recently become a father,  plans to race as much of the EWS series as his new life circumstances allow. His 9th place in Madeira and his 7th place in Whistler last year show that he's still very much on the pace. We can expect to see Yoann on the start line of at least six EWS races in 2018.  Pre-season training in Sedona and Canada has Yoann feeling confident with the new Spank Oozy 350 wheel choice.  

“The first thing that I realized and felt during my first few rides, is how dynamic the wheels are. I think the full combo – hubs, spokes and rims, makes a super precise wheel set and gives you great feedback of the terrain. Not too stiff, not to soft, just what we really need for enduro racing. All the time I ride now, I know that I can charge pretty damn hard down the trails and the only issue that I will have, will come from my own mistakes, not from an equipment failure!”

Yoann adds, “At first I was thinking that the weight was going to be a bit of an issue as they aren't the lightest in the market, but again, a well thought product, is product that works and I am super happy to work with a company that isn't only focused on gaining weight everywhere but on making good and reliable performance equipment!”

The crew is also happy to welcome Theotim Trabac to the team this year! The young French rider showed his potential by winning in U21 category the Enduro World Series in Millau last year. This season, he will race in the same category and we're happy to support him in his chase for more podiums!

“To be part of this Team is just amazing! A few years ago, I would have asked for an autograph from Yoann and now I'm on the same team! It's such a crazy feeling! My plan for this season is to race all the Enduro World Series except the two first in South America. I would like to be on more podiums and another win would be sick!”.  - Theotim

Cédric Ravanel will continue to race and also be in charge of the team, making sure all of his athletes are in the best condition possible: “I can't wait to see Theotim racing! He's not 20 yet but he already won an EWS in U21, which is awesome! He's super motivated and I really like how he communicates, through his pictures and funny videos! I'll be here to teach him as much as I can, Cecile and Yoann as well, and I'm sure it will be a big plus for his future!”.

Read more on the innovation behind the OOZY 350 rims and wheels here.

Follow links for detailed specifications on the new OOZY 350 wheels and rims.

Cecile Ravanel - Lo Barnechea, Chile

CURRENT RANKINGS AND 2018 EVENTS ATTENDING

Yoann BARELLI – 2017 Series Ranking:  24th Pro Men

Events attending:


• Round 1: Lo Barnechea Montenbaik Enduro, Lo Barnechea, Chile

• Round 2: EWS – Alcaldia de Manizales – Mas oportunidades, Manizales, Colombia

• Round 5: La Thuile Enduro World Series #5, La Thuile, Italy

• Round 6: CamelBak Canadian Open Enduro presented by Specialized, Whistler, Canada

• Round 7: Festival Zona Zero Sobrarbe, Zona Zero Sobrarbe, Spain

• Round 8: Bluegrass FinalEnduro powered by SRAM, Finale Ligure, Italy


Cedric RAVANEL – 2017 Series Ranking:  45th Pro Men

Events attending:


• Round 1: Lo Barnechea Montenbaik Enduro, Lo Barnechea, Chile

• Round 2: EWS – Alcaldia de Manizales – Mas oportunidades, Manizales, Colombia

• Round 5: La Thuile Enduro World Series #5, La Thuile, Italy
• 
Round 6: CamelBak Canadian Open Enduro presented by Specialized, Whistler, Canada
• 
Round 7: Festival Zona Zero Sobrarbe, Zona Zero Sobrarbe, Spain

• Round 8: Bluegrass FinalEnduro powered by SRAM, Finale Ligure, Italy


Cecile RAVANEL – 2017 Series Ranking: 1st Pro Women

Events attending:


• Round 1: Lo Barnechea Montenbaik Enduro, Lo Barnechea, Chile
• 
Round 2: EWS – Alcaldia de Manizales – Mas oportunidades, Manizales, Colombia

• Round 5: La Thuile Enduro World Series #5, La Thuile, Italy

• Round 6: CamelBak Canadian Open Enduro presented by Specialized, Whistler, Canada

• Round 7: Festival Zona Zero Sobrarbe, Zona Zero Sobrarbe, Spain

• Round 8: Bluegrass FinalEnduro powered by SRAM, Finale Ligure, Italy


Theotim TRABAC – 2017 Series Ranking:  17th Men u21

Events attending:


• Round 3: EWS Montagnes du Caroux, Montagnes du Caroux, France

• Round 4: Black Hole Enduro Petzen/Jamnica, Petzen - Jamnica, Austria/Slovenia

• Round 5: La Thuile Enduro World Series #5, La Thuile, Italy

• Round 6: CamelBak Canadian Open Enduro presented by Specialized, Whistler, Canada

• Round 7: Festival Zona Zero Sobrarbe, Zona Zero Sobrarbe, Spain
• 
Round 8: Bluegrass FinalEnduro powered by SRAM, Finale Ligure, Italy

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