Young Guns of Enduro Hard on Heels of MTB’s Expendables
In its inaugural season, the Enduro World Series attracted attention as a new battleground for a heavy-hitting line-up of enduro specialists, gravity legends, Olympians, and World Cup champions. One glimpse at the Team podium in Valloire, France, is evidence of the depth of experience and talent at play in the Series this year.
The powerhouse trio that has accrued 3410 points so far for the front-running Trek Factory Racing Enduro team boasts too many championship titles to list. British World Champion downhiller, Tracy Moseley, New Zealand national downhill champion, Justin Leov and Rene Wildhaber, one of the winningest marathon downhill mountain bikers ever, are proving a formidable combination.
But just 360 points behind the crew of decorated 30-something athletes is the Rocky Mountain Urge BP team, whose top three performers, French riders Isabeau Courdurier (20), Alexandre Cure (21) and Florian Nicolai (21), are consistently logging top 10 finishes, despite their tender years.
“The Rocky Urge team are just enjoying all the positives of this season together,” says team manager, Fred Glo. “The spirit internally in the team is fresh but focussed.”
Although there’s no better crucible for the veterans vs up-and-comers showdown than in the team standings, there are plenty of rising talents riding in the shadows or under the mentorship of more experienced racers.
From Cedric Gracia (Santa Cruz) showing Belgium’s 17 year old tour de force, Martin Maes (GT Factory Racing) how to do an emergency seat repair using only an inner tube, to Junior World DH Champ, 17 year old Richie Rude (Yeti/Fox) benefitting from team-mate Jared Graves’ expertise, the youngest riders are on a fast-track.
Says Enduro World Series Managing Director, Chris Ball, “What counts on race day? It’s not just about pace, but intelligence, experience, strategy, strength, energy. Managing your equipment. Adjusting to the different conditions across each race. We’re seeing some amazing riding from the young racers, and as they develop their strategic game, it’s apparent that the ultimate championship could be in anyone’s hands.”
The first three rounds of the Series, at Nevados de Chillan, TweedLove and Valloire, all saw newcomers atop the podium – a mix of young phenoms and rising talents and established athletes – from Florian Nicolai (21), Nico Lau (25), Joe Barnes (25), and Damien Oton (27), to the more experienced Rene Wildhaber (38), Jared Graves (32), Justin Leov (30), Anneke Beerten (32), Tracy Moseley (35), Anne Caroline Chausson (37) and Cecile Ravanel (37).
“Mountain biking’s legends helped get the Enduro World Series off to a strong start,” says Ball, “but it’s the young guns who promise its solid future. With Maes moving up, the Junior category has become an open contest incubating a bunch of new talents. And at each venue, we’ve seen the involvement of local kids, all of which suggests the future of enduro mountain biking is in good stead. We couldn’t be more optimistic.”
Visit the rankings for Team, mens, womens, junior, and master Series at www.enduroworldseries.com/rankings.
The action continues in the north-west of Italy for the La Thuile Superenduro powered by SRAM, 12-13 July.
Words: EWS PR | Pictures: Matt Wragg
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