A look back at the series’ 4th season
By Patrick D. Rosso

Domination is the only word that can describe Amy Morrison’s and Evan Geankoplis’ 2016 California Enduro Series season, as they clinched the overall title in Pro Women and Pro Men. The Marin/Rabobank teammates crushed the courses. The seven race series wasn’t easy for the athletes, nor was the competition, but with style and consistency the two made quick work of the field and pedaled to victory.
“It was an amazing feeling and something I’ve worked hard on for a couple years,” commented Morrison. “My first enduro race was with the California Enduro Series just two years ago and I finished 14th. To see how my times improve and take the title this year is a huge accomplishment for me.”
Like Morrison, Geankoplis said his secret weapon was his knowledge of the courses from years of racing on the series and really focusing on good results and good times.
“Everything from being familiar with the terrain, venue, and stages were a big benefit,” said Geankoplis. “Being comfortable at the venues and knowing where to stay and camp, how to practice, and how to set up your bike, helps you focus on fewer, more important things like going fast on race day.”
Geankoplis’ strong legs and laser focus also helped him secure the overall title in the Golden Tour, the series within the series that featured big mountain venues and a lot of cash.
“I feel like I continued to learn consistently. Whether it meant to just back down the intensity in a race stage to be able to finish solid or just to prepare for the race the best I could,” added Geankoplis. “I’m always going for first place, but sometimes understanding that backing down the speed through a technical zone may mean less risk of falling, and not having to play a catch up game from a crash.”

Morrison and Geankoplis also helped boost their team’s overall score, pushing Marin/Rabobank to second in the overall standings, but in the end it was Scott’s Valley Cycle Sport that took the title.
“We didn’t think much about team points until after Ashland when we realized we were tied with Marin/Rabobank,” explained Brittany Cavaletto, official director of fun and co-owner of Scotts Valley Cycle Sport. “After Northstar, Marin/Rabobank took the lead, but we knew we still had a chance to take the overall and our riders did so well at Mammoth that it boosted us to first.”
Competition wasn’t the only thing that helped the team move to the top. It was enhanced by the Central Coast local’s concentration on fun and enjoying the moment.
“Our focus is just to have fun and go fasts and that paid off,” Cavaletto added. “We loved racing the series and making new friends and just hanging out with some rad people.”
This year marked the debut of the CES Golden Tour – a triple crown series within a series intended to spotlight top talent and events. The 2016 Golden Tour showcased the three most aggressive stops on this season’s schedule – the VP EnduroFest at China Peak, the Northstar Enduro, and the Kamikaze Bike Games Enduro. Brian Lopes took the win for Pro Men, while for the Pro Women, it was Kathy Pruitt who found herself on the top step for the Golden Tour.
“Winning the Golden Tour is what I set out to do,” Pruitt said after the final race of the series, set at Mammoth Mountain. “I really enjoyed the races and they featured some really challenging courses. I don’t really race full time anymore, so it’s always interesting to see where I stand with the people who are doing the whole series.”
With another successful series in the history book, organizers hinted that next season will feature more venues and course changes.
“The fourth year of the California Enduro Series was amazing! Every year we challenge ourselves and each of the race directors to do more and raise the bar – and we all stepped up to create an incredible year,” exclaimed Steve Gemelos, director of the series. “The end of the season is always tough. We will miss seeing all our friends in the California Enduro community, but we will be busy prepping and looking forward to the next season. We are already working on new race venues for next year that will be fun and challenging places to race.”
Round 1: Fontana Enduro in Fontana • Southridge Racing • Results & Full Recaps



Round 2: Battle Born Enduro in Reno • Poedunks and Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) • Results & Full Recaps



Round 3: Toro Enduro in Salinas • CCCX • Results & Full Recaps



Round 4 (Golden Tour Round 1): VP EnduroFest at China Peak • VP Components• Results & Full Recaps



Round 5: Ashland Mountain Challenge • Ashland Mountain Adventures •Results & Full Recaps



Round 6 (Golden Tour Round 2): Northstar Enduro in Truckee • Northstar California •Results & Full Recaps



Season Finale Round 7 (Golden Tour Round 3): Kamikaze Bike Games Enduro in Mammoth Lakes • Mammoth Mountain • Results & Full Recaps



And … a big shout of thanks to the industry and community businesses supporting the series







In addition to the sponsors above – VP Components, FOX, SRAM, Rabobank, WTB, TRP andClif Bar – the series is grateful for support from Marin Bikes, Kali Protectives, KMC,Adventure Sports Journal, Brennan Autosport, Gamut, Voler, and ESI Grips. Contact CES for information on sponsoring the 2017 series.