Race Preview: Enduro World Series Round #4 – La Thuile

The awaited weekend of 12-13 of July is now almost here and Italy is getting ready to host the first of two rounds of the Enduro World Series 2014. The cream of the mountain-bike Enduro will come back to the heart of the Alps at La Thuile. This Aosta Valley location moves for the first time into the Enduro scene and to make this happen, it goes straight to the discipline core and takes care of organizing an event for the most important World Series. This is possible thanks to the support of the lift company ‘Funivie Piccolo San Bernardo’ and of the local public administration, which firmly believed in the World Series project.

This is the second edition of the Enduro World Series and it could not miss the two Italian rounds: the next weekend event of La Thuile and the closing grand final of Finale Ligure. During both appointments the Superenduro staff will be busy as technical organizer.

The schedule is going to be full of events as La Thuile will be the centre of the MTB universe during the whole week. Starting tomorrow, up to the 9 of July, the riders will be able to inspect the trails of the SPs on foot only. But it will be action time for the children with the Kid Dual Slalom scheduled for the 9 of July at 16:00. On the 10 of July the race course and the chairlifts will be open for the practice runs, between 9:30 and 17:00. The registration office will open at 9:00 on Friday 11 of July to provide the riders with the schedule and the timing chips. The bikers will be able to keep practicing the course terrain between 9:30 and 17:00.

The race will be organized over two days, with six Special Stages (PSs) equally distributed between Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 of July. Both days will take place following the same format, with two SPs in a row, followed by a time check before the final SP. The riders will race the PSs “Superkappa”, “Miniere” and “Piloni alto” during the Saturday, facing the “Superkappa”, “Piloni basso” and “Mulino” SPs during the following day.

Here at La Thuile, the race course offers serious numbers and it will make this event one of the most challenging appointments of the Enduro World Series. Solid 4700m of elevation change and 35 km of SP will be the battle ground to gain a handful of seconds until the last km. It will be a really complete racing course with smooth slopes in the high meadows dropping down into the valley with steep and technical trails. La Thuile will not fall short of flowing and rocky sections, jumps and pedalled bits neither! Only the riders with good preparation will be able to commit. For more details about the race course and for the time schedule, take a look at the Race Book.

La Thuile is going to experience a very intense week and every corner of the place will be part of the Enduro World Series fun. For the public there will be plenty of things to do, such as riding trails or visit the enormous trade show in the paddock area, which will host the finish line of the last SP on both days. For many riders the EWS appointment will take place during their summer holidays, offering a perfect destination in the middle of the most unspoiled Alps. If you have not reserved yet your visit, take a look at the best offers on the La Thuile Tourism webpage.

We also would like to remind the riders and the teams that it is still possible to enter the few spots still available for the event using this form.

More information on www.enduroworldseries.com

Words: Superenduro | Pictures: Matteo Cappe

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.