Raphaela Richter made things interesting, but she and the rest of the elite women's field proved no match for a dominant Elly Hoskin.
The newly-minted two-time Canadian Open Enduro queen struck more World Cup (EDR) gold in Morillon, France with a near-24 second advantage (49:40.855) over silver medallist Richter (50:04.475). Simona Kuchynková held on for bronze (50:38.476).
"I’m just really happy. It was a long, long week and I’m really glad I got to back up that first win at the last stop, I was itching for that," Hoskin said in a press release. "My mum was texting me all day, telling me via emojis how good I was doing. Rafa [Richter] was really on my ass for a bit and then I had a good stage eight and just had to keep it together on the last one."
Jesse Melamed, despite his best efforts, relinquished both a five-second lead and ultimate victory to Alex Rudeau (42:13.460). Whistler's enduro ace did pull into runner-up position (42:17.094) ahead of his fellow Canuck Lief Rodgers (42:40.558).
Melamed also clinched second overall in the yearlong EDR rankings with 1880 points, edging out Charles Murray (1830). Slawomir Lukasik finished the season on top with a good lead (2312).
Known for being pensive at times on his Instagram account, Melamed wrote: "That makes five overall podiums in the last six years. I really, really wanted to maintain my overall position this weekend so that was my only goal. I’m stoked to deliver on that, and to move into [second] at the last race with another podium finish. After thinking my season was finished with 102nd at round one, it feels unreal to have climbed back up this far.
"Finishing the year with four podiums in a row and a win is exactly what I wanted after a less-than-stellar 2024 season. Big thanks to the team for always supporting me in the best way possible no matter what, they have been amazing to me. And to [Baptiste Labrousse] for coming in last-minute and doing an amazing job. We made a good team in the end!"
Ella Conolly, who did not appear in Morillon, won the ladies' overall (2250) as Kuchynková placed second in that department (2030). Nadine Ellecosta found herself third (1820).
'The vibe in France'
Hoskin's final day of racing in Morillon did not start according to plan. She hemorrhaged time on Stages No. 5, 6 and 7 until Kuchynková had closed to within a second.
The Squamolian found another gear on her penultimate stage, however: augmenting her lead to more than 16 seconds over her closest rivals. She wound up third on Stage No. 9 and needed nothing more to make her big win official. It's a decisive end to the season for an athlete who has previously spoken about her journey to gain confidence amongst the world's best.
Rudeau likewise came out guns blazing on Sunday, erasing Melamed's advantage before building his own. The Whistlerite fought back on lengthy Stage No. 8, but his French opponent closed the show nonetheless.
"Feeling good," said Rudeau to the media. "It’s my 22nd victory and the last one was in 2023 in France also, so I think the vibe in France is good for me. I really like this kind of format: two days of racing."
Melamed quipped that he might have prevailed if he "didn't hit so many trees."
Rodgers, meanwhile, basked in the glory of his first career World Cup podium: a third-place outing to mirror his back-to-back Canadian Open Enduro bronzes. "Feels so good," he wrote on social media. "Still letting it all sink in. Thank you everyone."
Visit ucimtbworldseries.com/results/2025/haute-savoie-edr-2025 for more EDR results from Morillon.
