Pugin wins on Day 1 and Ryf gets his first win at Charade

Clermont-Ferrand (France), Saturday 17 July 2021 – The iconic Charade Motorsport E- Circuit hosted one of the most spectacular WES race trails so far for the event Presented by Magneti Marelli Checkstar.

The first race day of the third round of the season is over, witnessing another victory for Mélanie Pugin (BH) and the well-deserved first win of the year for Joris Ryf (Bergstrom).

In the Women’s field, defending World Champion and local hero Pugin got the Holeshot, took the lead from the start and maintained it until the last lap, consolidating her lead in the standings by 31 points over returning Sofia Wiedenroth (Specialized). The German eventually managed to finish in second, despite her predictions, as she is still recovering from an injury in her left arm and being this track very demanding, as she declared.

Nathalie Schneitter (Trek Bosch) was on the third step of the podium today, sportingly admitting the French winner was coming from another planet and is ready to fight again in tomorrow’s race 2.

WES new entry and French Enduro Champ Laura Charles (Orbea) finished fourth but happy followed by Karen Pepper (Lapierre), fifth in race 1 and now third overall, only 3 points behind Wiedenroth.

In the Men’s race, after 4 wins in a row, a disappointed Jérôme Gilloux (Moustache) had to leave the winner’s spot to a visibly happy Ryf, who was waiting for this glory moment since the very first race of the season, back in April.
Convincing third place for Théo Charmes (Cube) who stepped on WES podium for the first time, also achieving the third place overall, over Cecce Camoin (Specialized). Not a lucky day for the Corsican, as he broke his chain on lap 1 but kept racing in style, as he normally does, riding the chicanes before the finish line in a wheelie.

The top-five is completed by combative Natan Patrois (Moustache) and Milton Ramos (Stilus), who both scored their best results at WES so far, the Honduran being unbelieving while crossing the finish line.

Tomorrow’s race trail will see slight but interesting changes in the course design making race 2 promising for all the riders in the field.

• Download the Photo Gallery HERE
• Follow the Live Timing HERE
• Download this Press Release in PDF HERE