We chatted to Ellie about her Summer of riding and racing over in Europe this season.

Here's the run-down straight from Ellie!

"We started off by watching Les Gets on the first day we landed, which was such an insane experience the track was so much bigger and rougher in person. And the French crowd OMG!!! Absolutely mental! We then spent the week staying in Morzine riding Pleney, Avoriaz, Chatel, super Morzine, and Les Gets. The riding there is just so different and was heaps of fun. 

The first race was in Verbier Switzerland which was a real track. It was just full of absolutely everything. Huge gaps and drops, big rock gardens, and root sections but it was one of my favorite tracks ever to race.

Practice went really well throughout the week and I was able to put down a good qualifying run along with a good race run with a 1st in the IXS Downhill Cup. For the first big race and my first race overseas, I was really stoked with how I went.

The next race was in the famous Schladming which was such a sick spot to ride, the tracks there were just really flowy and easy to have fun on without being scared to death. The track started from the lower quarter of the hill so it was super duper short. This track really pushed me as it was basically only what I needed to work on (corners) the first race was a bit of a shock as the girls were super fast and I felt a bit off pace but I was able to get a 2nd at the Propain Rookies Cup.

The second day in practice I really focused on riding the corners well and had heaps of fun. My race run was really good and I was super happy to get another 2nd at the IXS Rookies International Championship. But more importantly happier with how I tried my best.

Then we were off to Bellwald which was a super small quiet town, so it was good to end the trip on a chill note. It was a bit like Christchurch with how dusty it was and the rocks in it. I had a lot of fun on this track racing it but it was pretty sketchy. I was really really happy to end the trip injury and mechanical-free and another 1st in the IXS Downhill Cup. 

The trip could not have gone any better with having fun riding with mates and learning heaps about how to manage my nerves and my energy, ticking features off early in practice, and how to deal with multiple days of practice. And what I need to work on.

A massively huge thank you for your support - I appreciate it so, so, so much and this trip really could not have gone as well as it did without your help and the amazing tyres (would have died on anything else, once again Maxxis absolutely dominated the tracks) made a huge difference.

I also appreciate not just the great tread support but also having you guys by my side.

Thank you heaps, hopefully see you guys soon,

Ellie"

To keep up to date with all of Ellie's racing and riding, follow @ellie_hulsebosch