Manuel Ducci and Valentina Macheda both took second place at the second round of the 2014 Superenduro PRO Series in Punta Ala.

After one of the longest enduro races of the year, with over 80km in the saddle and 2,000m of climbing over two days both Manuel and Vale were ever so close to that top step, but not quite there this time. It’s a solid start for the series for them, a third in Sestri and second here mean Manuel sits in second overall in the series standings and a pair of seconds for Vale equal second overall.

Manuel said about his race:

20 centimetres. That’s the difference between second and first for me today. On the final stage I missed a line by just 20 centimetres and ended up off track, on a stage where I lost the win by just four seconds. That’s what happens when you race at this level though, it’s those tiny margins that make the difference. I’m happy with my race though, I’m fighting for the victory, which is where I want to be, even if it didn’t go my way this weekend.

Vale said about her race:

It’s frustrating for me, I put in the work over the winter and managed to put myself ahead of the girls I was racing against last year. This year Louise Paulin has come in, and she’s so strong, and I’m a little way behind her right now. I just need to keep working hard, that first win is there, I can taste it! There’s always next time…