After winning the Petzen-Jamnica stage, the French endurist confirmed her return to form this year by winning the Val Di Fassa event.
Last season, Isabeau Courdurier finished in third place overall, ahead of two other Frenchwomen for an unprecedented tricolour hat-trick (winner Mélanie Pugin and second place Morgane Charre). This year, the Private Sport Shop ambassador started her season on June 4 with a solid third place at the Tweed Valley event in Scotland before moving on to the Petzen-Jamnica stage two weeks later.
Located between Austria and Slovenia, this spot saw the Frenchwoman dominate the competition. Winner of the Pro-Stage, the Lapierre rider left only one stage to her competitors and dominated all the others to finally win with a 20 second lead over Morgane Charre. "This victory also represents my 40th podium in the Enduro World Series," she explained after the race. "I didn't know that today was Father's Day either. I guess I couldn't give him anything better than that. I miss him every day but I know he is proud of me, wherever he is". A thought for her dad whom Isabeau lost in 2021.
Already leading the overall standings after two stages this season, Isabeau Courdurier proved at the third event (June 25) that she was back on top with a new victory in Italy. In Val Di Fassa, the French rider took the lead again by winning the Pro Stage before hitting the table with a huge time in the first stage on Sunday, finishing no less than 14 seconds ahead of Morgane Charre and Raphaela Richter. Enough to see what's coming for the following stages. However, the leader of the general standings did not let go of her hold and set a series of best times to finally finish the event with a 30 second lead over her closest chaser Morgane Charre.
With three podiums in three races, including two victories, Isabeau Courdurier is more than ever in the lead of the Enduro World Series, especially since one of her most serious competitors, Ella Connoly, did not score any points in Italy, due to a broken elbow. The next stop will be in Whistler, Canada before two American events (Burke and Sugarloaf). If you want to see Isabeau in action, you'll have to be at the rendezvous in Loudenvielle, France, for the final stage of the season at the end of September.