The 2022 WES UCI E-Mountain Bike World Cup 2022 season was held in Monaco-Peille, last April 23 and 24 under a double race format that delighted everyone after a solid competition that saw Jérôme Gilloux and Justine Tonso cross the finish line in first position.
Both Lapierre Overlolt riders were strong in competition over the two days, despite totally different weather conditions. In Race 1, the rain appeared to complicate the terrain creating puddles and leaving mud in its path. In the face of this, caution on the part of all riders was another factor in the struggle to be fast.
Dirty uniforms, traces of mud on the tires and mud-stained faces decorated the panorama as the 12.9-kilometer route was ridden. After crossing the finish line as the winner, Gilloux was escorted by Hugo Pigeon and Emeric Ienzer, while Tonso was followed by Sofia Wiedenroth and Nathalie Schneitter.
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Race 2 showed the kinder side of the sun, providing cool weather and a radical change from the previous day’s conditions. New route, same result in the lead of the competition, this time with a course of 14.4 kilometers. Thus, the two riders of the Lapierre Overlolt team now lead the riders’ championship with 50 points.
Jérôme Gilloux and Justine Tonso Explain
“Yesterday, it was rainy during Qualifying and Race 1, even all night and although not today, the conditions of the terrain were very similar. The start was also very similar in the two races. A happy start to the season with the double victory here in Peille, so I will keep training for the competitions to come”, commented Gilloux about the first round of the campaign.
On the other hand, Justine Tonso also offered her impressions about the WES 2022 debut. “It was really amazing. Today was a difficult race, mentally I was a bit tired. A complicated competition, complex conditions, but I tried to stay focused throughout the whole course and push as hard as I could. I won again today and it was great under an amazing team.”
The next race will be held in Bologna, Italy, May 28-29, where the winners of Monaco will start as favorites, although the battle will not be easy in the Apennine Mountains.
Written by | Ronald Ortega
