When it was announced that the Enduro World Series would not be returning to the Tweedlove Festival in 2016, the bike mad community of the Tweed Valley was left a little deflated. Undeterred, events organisers TweedLove knew that they had the trails to tempt the best riders back to the valley, and to show the world that they could run a world class event – the Shimano TweedLove International was born!

Once again Tweed Green was resplendent with colour.
Once again Tweed Green was resplendent with colour.
The locals were visibly excited by the presence of World Champions.
The locals were visibly excited by the presence of World Champions.

It was not going to be an easy task to rival the amazing atmosphere and huge expo of the Enduro World Series events, but Tweedlove were confident if they pulled out all the stops the community would help deliver an awesome spectacle. How do you create an international event without the draw of the Enduro World Series title? The ingredients were certainly there, great trails, experience race organisers and a gap in the racing calendar. “Build it and they will come” is a famous movie quote and looking around the paddock they had certainly arrived!

The expo was a professional as anything seen on the international circuit.
The expo was as professional as anything seen on the international circuit.
In keeping with TweedLove's community focussed approach, each of the pros was escorted down the start ramp by a local mini shredder.
In keeping with TweedLove’s community focussed approach, each of the pros was escorted down the start ramp by a local mini shredder.
Kids lined the start and finish area, high fiving until all the racers were home.
Kids lined the start and finish area, high fiving until all the racers were home.

The field was crammed with big names, World Champion Tracy Moseley, Greg Callaghan, Mark Scott, Gary Forrest, Katy Winton, Iago Garay, Ed Masters, Robin Wallner and Joe Barnes to name but a few. This was no ‘grass roots’ production either, the picturesque Tweed Green was decorated with hundreds of feather flags flying in the light breeze and hundreds of excited spectators surveyed the many trade tents and food providers. Throngs of excited children lined the start ramps and expo, jabbering about their favourite pros and keen to collect stickers from anyone who was handing them out.

Transition times for the seeded riders were tight, it was an achievement simply getting round.
Transition times for the seeded riders were tight, it was an achievement simply getting round.
Local legend Trek Factory Team rider Katy winton was a blur on the fast Glentress stages.
Local legend Trek Factory Team rider Katy Winton was a blur on the fast Glentress stages.

Over 500 riders had descended on the valley to test themselves over two days of intense racing, featuring three hills and a course that would see the riders travel over 76 km. The opening day would see the riders visit the ‘king of Scottish trail centres’, Glentress, certainly a day that would test the legs more than the nerves. A 23 km loop with 833 m of climbing awaited the eager riders with 3 long and challenging stages that would put fitness and smooth riding to the test.

tweedlove-international-rb05 tweedlove-international-rb03

With a good forecast, many spectators had hiked up to the stages to see the pros doing their thing, and also heckle the amateurs as they did the same thing, only a little bit slower. There was lots of talk about who was going to win, would Trek Factory Racing’s Katy Winton be able to fight off her teammate on home turf for a victory, and what of Ibis Enduro Race Team’s Gary Forrest, would he be able to unseat Cube Action Team’s Greg Callaghan from his unstoppable form?

The first three stages certainly played to some riders strengths, those who were fit and good on the pedals pulled out ground on the pure descenders, but day two would be a very different beast. At the close of the day, the atmosphere was jubilant, it had been a long day on the pedals and the stages were long and physical but the shorter format day had left a little in the tank for the next day. Greg and Tracy had taken an early lead, but only just! During the night, as the clouds thickened many riders were sure to have spent a few nervous moments reflecting on the steep Innerleithen stages that Sunday would bring.

From the darkness into light, the close canopy cast deep shadows over the stages.
From the darkness into light, the close canopy cast deep shadows over the stages.
At the end of a long day, riders headed for home, hoping for favourable weather for the infamous Innerleithen stages.
At the end of a long day, riders headed for home, hoping for favourable weather for the infamous Innerleithen stages.
We all wonder what Kev + Jock + Weasel are doing now, probably city bankers.
We all wonder what Kez, Jock and Weasel are doing now, probably city bankers.
The change in weather had brought more challenging tracks.
The change in weather had brought more challenging tracks.

Day two saw a change of pace, a game of two halves if you like, as riders headed out for a much bigger challenge. If 53 km and 1210 m of climbing were not enough, the four stages featured some of the steepest and most gnarly trails that Innerleithen had to offer. The first stage of the day was a delight to all. A new creation that has been lighting up locals STRAVA feed and something very different from the classic Tweed Valley trails. Named ‘Flat White’ it was a hedonistic, flat-out-berm-fest, cutting down over the open hillside. The steep berms and heavy G-outs saw intense racing and some crazy shapes being thrown. Greg and Tracy again further their campaigns with a win. As the day rolled on the stages grew steeper and more challenging, and with the elite field being separated by mere seconds a crash could be costly. In the men’s race this is where the wild cards showed their hand, local DH specialist Ruaridh Cunningham was riding like a man possessed and stole victories on two of the last stages.

The truth is in the eyes. Katy wanted the win. In the end the apprentice still could not beat the master, but for how long?
The truth is in the eyes. Katy wanted the win. In the end the apprentice still could not beat the master, but for how long?
Swedish Ibis Cycles Enduro Team rider Robin Wallner put on an amazing show on unfamiliar trails, 6th overall.
Swedish Ibis Cycles Enduro Team rider Robin Wallner put on an amazing show on unfamiliar trails, 6th overall.
On his once yearly sojourn to Enduro, Propain Dirt Zelvy DH rider Innes Graham lets loose in the heather
On his once yearly sojourn to Enduro, Propain Dirt Zelvy DH rider Innes Graham lets loose in the heather
Trials legend Becky Cook surprised everyone, stealing third place.
Trials legend Becky Cook surprised everyone, stealing third place.
Flat White is a new track to the valley, but has been glowing red hot on STRAVA.
Flat White is a new track to the valley, but has been glowing red hot on STRAVA.
Most went low and safe, Mark Scott boosted the life out of it.
Most went low and safe, Mark Scott boosted the life out of it.
Greg Callaghan seems to be consistent everywhere, he knows these trails but did well to hold off the locals
Greg Callaghan seems to be consistent everywhere, he knows these trails but did well to hold off the locals
Ibis Cycles Enduro Race Team rider and local hero Gary Forrest was pushing hard on day two. Hard enough to take 5th overall.
Ibis Cycles Enduro Race Team rider and local hero Gary Forrest was pushing hard on day two. Hard enough to take 5th overall.
Harriet Harnden is  clearly learning from her mentor T-Mo, taking a solid win in the Junior Ladies.
Harriet Harnden is clearly learning from her mentor T-Mo, taking a win in the Junior Ladies.
Another local, Junior rider Elena Melton took a solid 2nd place.
Another local, Junior rider Elena Melton took an impressive 2nd place.

Results of the Shimano Tweedlove International Enduro

As the huge field of riders made their way around the stages, Scotland effectively demonstrated its diverse weather, at first sun, then heavy rain, then hail and finally back to the sun. The tracks changed too, the dust and loam slicked up and proved far more of a challenge when riders arrived at the classic downhill trails on the front of Plora Rig. Many riders put on a fine show for the crowd in the infamous bomb hole, using their helmet peaks as impromptu spades. The men’s race was intensely close with the top 2 places separated by only five seconds, but in the end nobody could stop Greg Callaghan (Cube Action Team) who took the win, followed by Ruaridh Cunningham (Unior Tools) in second and Mark Scott (Santa Cruz x SRAM) who fought back valiantly after a few issues on day one. In the women’s race, it was a Trek Factory Racing one-two, with Tracy Moseley showing she is still the one to beat, but Katy Winton is closing the gap year by year. Motorcycle Trials supremo Becky Cook debuted with a very strong third. Full results and stage times can be downloaded here.

Joe looked fast in the stages, but also to be holding back a little. We expected him to take a podium step but  he is sure to be happy with 4th.
Joe looked fast in the stages, but also to be holding back a little. We expected him to take a podium step but he is sure to be happy with 4th.
At first it was light rain, then came the hail.
At first it was light rain, then came the hail.
As the heavens opened riders took to any shelter they could find to avoid the downpour.
As the heavens opened riders took to any shelter they could find to avoid the downpour.
Wet, sodden and knackered, yes!  Ran out of stoke? No...
Wet, sodden and knackered, yes! Ran out of stoke? No…
Ruaraidh Cunningham took stage wins on 3,5 and 7 and was riding like a man possessed, but he could not catch the big Irishman.
Ruaridh Cunningham took stage wins on 3,5 and 7 and was riding like a man possessed, but he could not catch the big Irishman.
Greg kept up constant pressure, winning stages 1, 2, 4 and 6.
Greg kept up constant pressure, winning stages 1, 2, 4 and 6.
T-MO, all smiles as she rode her way to a win in every stage, a clean sweep.
T-MO, all smiles as she rode her way to a win in every stage, a clean sweep.
Joe Barnes loves these conditions, able to find more grip than most.
Joe Barnes loves these conditions, able to find more grip than most.
Loose Dog getting loose as, conditions were slick on stage 7.
Loose Dog getting loose as, conditions were slick on stage 7.
The change in weather had transformed the trails, from fast dust to slick mud. More than one was caught out.
The change in weather had transformed the trails, from fast dust to slick mud. More than one was caught out.
The Kiwi's approved of the local brew. Sweet as bro!
The Kiwis approved of the local brew. Sweet as bro!
Close racing, after seven long stages only five seconds separated Greg and Ruaraidh.
Close racing, after seven long stages only five seconds separated Greg and Ruaridh.
After two hard days of racing this was to be a standoff that was only going one way.
After two hard days of racing this was to be a standoff that was only going one way.
Tracy Moseley, effortless through the stages it's clear that her 'retirement' was nothing to do with a lack of speed.
Tracy Moseley, effortless through the stages it’s clear that her ‘retirement’ was nothing to do with a lack of speed.
For many this was the most important part of the day! For most it was just a ridiculously fun day on the bikes.
For many this was the most important part of the day! For most it was just a ridiculously fun day on the bikes.
Mark Scott hauled back a huge chunk of time that had been lost in the first day. To fight his way back to third was momentous.
Mark Scott hauled back a huge chunk of time that had been lost in the first day. To fight his way back to third was momentous.
Bike washed and packed away for return flights, the event was truly international.
Bike washed and packed away for return flights, the event was truly international.
Greg is the man of the moment, and deservedly so.
Greg is the man of the moment, and deservedly so.
Gavin from Tempest Brewery kept the drinks flowing.
Gavin from Tempest Brewery kept the drinks flowing.
Tweedlove International Trev Worsey-8379 Tweedlove International Trev Worsey-5994 Tweedlove International Trev Worsey-6120 Tweedlove International Trev Worsey-6124
This is the future of the sport, inspiration done well!
This is the future of the sport, inspiration done well!

At the closing of the day, as the expo was being taken down and empty bottles of Tempest ‘Totally Radler’ beer started to mount up, there was time for a moment of reflection. The passionate community of the Tweed Valley had done it again, from the TweedLove organisational team to the huge amounts of volunteer marshals who gave up their time to ensure that the event ran smoothly, it had been a mighty success. The EWS may have moved on, but its spirit lives on in the hearts and souls of the riding community that make the Tweed Valley so special, long live the International.

The EWS may have moved on but the crowds remain!
The EWS may have moved on but the spirit remains!

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Words: Photos: Trev Worsey and Ross Bell