DOWN TO THE WIRE
The script was straight out of Hollywood. It was the final stage of the final race of the year and the two title contenders were taking it right down to the wire. In the red corner, Florian Nicolai riding for the Canyon Factory Racing Team – tall, lean, precise, clinical – and in the blue corner, three-time downhill world champion Sam Hill – tattooed, loose, extrovert in the saddle, introvert off it. Rocky Balboa Vs Ivan Drago? That would be stretching the comparison, but Hill certainly fits the role of fan’s favourite and unlikely enduro champion, with his unconventional approach to bike set-up, dramatic riding style and inspired lines.
As the riders waited for the clock to tick down to their allotted start slots, surrounded by the chocolate box scenery of Zermatt and the Matterhorn, Hill was comfortably in the top three and inching closer to that historic third EWS crown. But, after problems early in the day, Nicolai was climbing back up the leaderboard, and with one stage to go, was sitting within striking distance in sixth place, just 24 seconds behind. He was also 60 points ahead in the overall standings, and only needed to move up one more place on the final stage to clinch the championship. To
