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Christian Textor explainsThis is why the Enduro World Cup is on the ground, this can help

Laurin Lehner

 · 12.03.2026

Christian Textor explains: This is why the Enduro World Cup is on the ground, this can helpPhoto: Storychief KI generiert / Laurin Lehner
For many, the Enduro category is the best representation of mountain biking. Everything is included here: up, down, along. However, the race format has always struggled in the media. Too demanding to broadcast, too long, too difficult to access for spectators.
Many well-known Enduro World Cup riders will no longer be on the starting line in 2026. In addition, more than half of the registered teams have now withdrawn from the World Cup. Germany's most successful EDR Worldcup rider Christian Textor explains how the race format in the UCI World Cup will continue and the reasons behind this development.
Topics in this article

Only five UCI-registered MTB teams with special EDR riders are still registered for the coming season. This is a clear decline compared to the previous year, when more than twice as many teams were registered.

The E-Enduro World Cup (EDR-E) is still officially paused. The teams that have either been disbanded or no longer have any riders registered for the EDR include Specialized Gravity, Canyon CLLCTV and Lapierre Gravity Collective.

>> Everyman's Race Enduro One "Excited as hell!" >>

However, membership of a UCI-registered team is not a prerequisite for participation in Enduro World Cup races.

>> Interview with Christian Textor "Not a rosy mood!" <<

1. money is there - but not for the Enduro

The bike industry is under pressure, yet a lot of money continues to be invested in racing. Cross country and downhill have even become more expensive, yet there are still numerous teams in these areas. The problem is therefore not a lack of budget, but the unclear value for money of investments in the enduro segment.

Money is there, but not for professional enduro racing.Photo: Storychief KI generiert / Laurin LehnerMoney is there, but not for professional enduro racing.

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2. lost enduro idea

Due to the current organisation, some Enduro races are tied to integrated deals with XC and DH. As a result, the Enduro World Cup is held in places where Enduro sometimes doesn't really fit. After several years, the original idea of enduro is also lost when the same stages are ridden for the fourth or fifth time. This does not inspire either racers or fans - and makes it correspondingly difficult to market the format in a meaningful way.

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3rd Enduro lives - only somewhere else

Enduro racing is not dead. On the contrary: multi-day races and independent participatory events are booming and many are fully booked. Racing is shifting to where it offers fun, adventure and real appeal. National series are proving this and can't complain about too few participants.

>> German Enduro racing series This is why Enduro One is so successful <<

Popular: The Enduro-One - here in Trieb.Photo: Max FuchsPopular: The Enduro-One - here in Trieb.

4th EDR World Cup: expensive, interchangeable, not very attractive

World Cup racing has become more and more expensive for teams and privateers - thanks to Warner Brothers and the UCI, while at the same time the added value is decreasing. Not a good development! The bike brands are asking themselves why they are paying more for what than before when visibility and the USP (Unique Selling Point) have decreased rather than increased.

Rallying in motorsport has the same problem: live broadcasts are tricky, expensive and difficult to realise.Photo: Storychief KI generiert / Laurin LehnerRallying in motorsport has the same problem: live broadcasts are tricky, expensive and difficult to realise.

5. loss of core values

Enduro lived from making new, remote places visible. The World Cup has abandoned these core values. Instead of exciting new destinations, similar European routes have been used for years. This reduces the appeal for racers, media and sponsors alike. It is not the sport, but the racing series that has lost its identity.

In the days of the EWS (Enduro World Series), races were held on tracks all over the world, often in exotic countries. Christian Textor sees a loss of identity here.Photo: Duncan Philpott / EWIn the days of the EWS (Enduro World Series), races were held on tracks all over the world, often in exotic countries. Christian Textor sees a loss of identity here.

Forecast

After trying to squeeze the Enduro World Cup into a pair of shoes that don't really fit, the Enduro World Cup now needs to get back to its old core values. Because with new, exciting locations, enthusiastic riders and fans, tough track profiles and long races that push both athletes and equipment to their limits, I see exactly the sport that inspires me - and so many others. Then there's no need for live TV or big financial deals. With motivated teams and riders who really want to be part of it, strong storytelling happens automatically. - Christian Textor, ex-Worldcupper
Christian Textor has retired from the Enduro World Cup.Photo: Max FuchsChristian Textor has retired from the Enduro World Cup.

>> Christian Textor - Enduro World Cup biker Texis Welt: 7 moments from his life <<

The 2026 UCI World Cup calendar

The enduro stops are greased, six in all.

  • 01. to 03.05. Race of South Korea, South Korea (Downhill, XC)
  • 22 to 24 May Nové Město Na Moravě, Czech Republic (XC)
  • 28 to 31 May Loudenvielle-Peyragudes, France (Downhill, Enduro)
  • 11 to 14 June Saalfelden-Leogang, Austria (Downhill, XC, Enduro)
  • 19 to 21 June Lenzerheide, Switzerland (Downhill, XC)
  • 26 to 28 June Val di Fassa, Italy (Enduro)
  • 03. to 05.07. La Thuile, Italy (Downhill, XC, Enduro)
  • 08. to 12.07. Pal Arinsal, Andorra (Downhill, XC)
  • 17 to 19 July Aletsch Arena - Bellwald, Switzerland (Enduro)
  • 14 to 16 August Haute-Savoie, France (Downhill, XC)
  • 21 to 23 August Haute-Savoie, France (Enduro)
  • 19. to 20.09. Soldier Hollow, Utah, USA (XC)
  • 25. to 27.09. Whistler Mountain Bike Park, Canada (Downhill)
  • 02. to 04.10. Lake Placid Olympic Sites, New York, USA (Downhill, XC)

These UCI EDR teams are registered for 2026

Abetone Vittoria Nencini Sport Factory Team

  • Nadine Ellecosta
  • Matteo Falcini
  • Tommaso Francardo

Cube Action Team

  • Zakarias Blom Johansen
  • Simona Kuchyňková
  • William Scheele
  • Gustav Wildhaber

Pivot Factory Racing

  • Morgane Charre

Speed Project

  • Louison Arnaud
  • Adrien Dailly
  • Julie Duvert
  • Raphaël Giambi
  • Alexis Icardo
  • Mélanie Pugin
  • Ivan Williams
  • Romy Williams

Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team

  • Jt Fisher
  • Ryan Gilchrist
  • Slawomir Lukasik
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Laurin Lehner

Born in South Baden, Laurin Lehner is, by his own admission, a lousy racer. Maybe that's why he is fascinated by creative, playful biking. What counts for him is not how fast you get from A to B, but what happens in between. Lehner writes reports, interviews scene celebrities and tests products and bikes - preferably those with a lot of suspension travel.

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