The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) expands its mountain bike offer in 2019 with the integration of the Enduro World Series into its Mountain Bike International Calendar.
Comprising eight rounds in as many countries, the 2019 Enduro World Series (EWS) will get underway on March 24 in Rotorua (New Zealand) and stop off in Zermatt (Switzerland) for the final round on September 21.
One week after Zermatt, the spectacular Trophy of Nations will crown the fastest teams of three riders, who will complete an Enduro event together. The Trophy of Nations will take place in Finale Ligure (Italy).
Enduro racing requires athletes to use a combination of endurance, speed and technical skills. Each event comprises between four and six predominately downhill stages – known as Special Stages – and a series of Liaison Stages. On each Special Stage, riders start individually at regular intervals, with the General Classification established by adding up all their recorded times.
To reach the start of each of the Special Stages, riders cover Liaison Stages either by bike or with mechanical assistance (chair lifts, trucks etc). Liaison Stages are not timed.
The Trophy of Nations is held along the same principles but raced by teams of three who must ride together. Each team’s result is calculated by combining the times of all three riders. The winners in each category – Men Elite, Women Elite, Men Under 21 and Women Under 21 - will be awarded with a special UCI jersey.
“I am delighted to welcome the Enduro World Series to the UCI Mountain Bike International Calendar,” said UCI President David Lappartient. “The series, launched in 2013 by EWS Managing Director Chris Ball, has grown in professionalism and popularity over the last six years. By being integrated into the UCI, this spectacular mountain bike format will benefit from a broader international reach and the possibility to develop through our 190 National Federations.”
The UCI President added that the Trophy of Nations – a stand-alone event independent of the series but managed by the EWS – would contribute even further to the development of the MTB Enduro format.
March 24 Rotorua, New Zealand
March 31 Derby, Tasmania
May 11-12 Madeira, Portugal
June 29 Canazei, Italy
July 5-6 Les Orres, France
August 11 Whistler, Canada
August 24-25 Northstar, USA
September 21 Zermatt, Switzerland
September 29 Finale Ligure, Italy