The European Enduro Series is just a couple of weeks away and all four rounds are now open for entry. Created by the Enduro World Series (EWS), the four race series kicks off at the end of the month in Val di Fassa, Italy. Bridging the gap between Qualifying events and the main EWS races, these new events allow up and coming riders to compete in existing events closer to home, gain ranking points and the chance to win a completely new Championship title; European Enduro Series Champion.
Alongside the new North American and Asia Pacific Series, which start later this summer, the European Enduro Series will feed into a new Global EWS points structure, allowing EWS members to gain EWS ranking points along the way. And with three of the four European venues featuring on the 2019 EWS calendar, it’s little wonder the series is attracting a strong international field of riders. The first race takes place under the organisational powerhouse of Superenduro in the Italian Dolomites for the Drop Down Superenduro Val di Fassa.
Enrico Guala, Superenduro:
Starting the European Series in Val di Fassa reminds me of many other firsts we did in Italy for enduro events, such as the first Superenduro in San Remo in 2008 or the first EWS in Punta Ala in 2013. It seems that Italy and our team know how to get the party started and we’re delighted to be hosting the first round of the European Enduro Series later this month.
Next the series moves to Les Orres in the Haute-Alpes region of South Eastern France. Riders will be confronted with classic French enduro trails – steep, technical and with a few chairlifts thrown in to ease the legs.
Emmanuelle Tahmazian, Les Orres Tourism Office:
Les Orres resort and bike park is honoured to host this competition and share with amazing riders our pure and wild regional landscapes. The race in Les Orres will offer ideal gradients and varied terrain for the riders. You can expect beautiful single track with technical corners and a lot of speed through the Mélèzes forest. The starting point will be at the top of the slopes, at 2600m, surrounded by a breathtaking 360° view and a panorama over the Serre-Ponçon lake.
From here the series heads to Zermatt in Switzerland for the Traillove Festival. Taking place in the shadow of the legendary Matterhorn, this race will be high on many rider’s priority list as it will be where the EWS crowns its 2019 champions.
Mathias Julen, Traillove:
Zermatt offers a wide range of high alpine trails surrounded by a unique panorama with the world-famous Matterhorn as it’s centrepiece. The stages will vary from technical single track to fast lines through alpine forests with a mix of dirt and rock – a little teaser of what can be expected for the EWS round in 2019!
The series will draw to a close in Scotland at that most iconic of venues, Fort William. The new European Enduro Series Champion will be crowned amongst the dramatic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands by hosts No Fuss Events.
Frazer Coupland, No Fuss Events:
We’re delighted to be hosting the final round of the European Enduro Series. Fort William is most famous for its downhill course, but there’s a huge trail network that spans the area and we’re looking forward to showing people just how much riding there is to explore – not to mention crowning the series champions on Scottish soil.
Chris Ball, Managing Director of the Enduro World Series:
It’s really great to see the European Enduro Series get off the ground and the level of interest that’s out there. The series is the perfect platform for riders to showcase their skills close to home and increase their chance of earning a spot in the World Series. We recognise that most amateurs and privateers can’t afford to fly around the world to compete, but the new continental series allows them a platform closer to home to hone their skills and show what they can do. I’m looking forward to seeing who is crowned the European Enduro Series Champion in October.
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Official website: enduroworldseries.com
More information: enduroworldseries.com/continental-enduro-series