The inclusion of the Enduro World Series in the UCI World Cup was a milestone. The race format finally got the attention it deserved. The new marketer Warner Brothers Discovery promised a lot: among other things, exciting summaries, including on free TV. "Little happened," says scene insider Marcus Klausmann. Enduro sport has always lacked audience appeal.
In 2024, the Devinci, GT, Polygon and Ibis racing teams will withdraw from the Enduro World Cup. For many, this is an indication that there is some truth to the rumours that the UCI wants to remove the Enduro World Cup from the calendar in 2025 and concentrate on broadcasting its e-counterpart, EDR-E. "Companies are withdrawing their racing teams from the World Cup for economic reasons, not because of an Enduro World Cup cancellation," says Germany's most successful Enduro World Cup rider Christian Textor. He doesn't know anything concrete either, but is relaxed about the situation. "Enduro racing will always have a stage, if not in the World Cup, then somewhere else," says Textor.
EDR-E racer Ines Thoma from Canyon takes a similar view: "Enduro is such an exciting racing format - if the rumour turns out to be true, hopefully another marketer will step in and continue a world series," says Thoma, who proved herself on the E-Enduro in the EDR-E in 2023.
I can theoretically imagine switching to the EDR-E. After all, I've already taken part in a few of these races and find the format appealing. - Christian Textor, EDR-Racer YT Mob
If you ask around in the industry, you hear from other corners that many companies have to save budget. The first areas where savings are usually made are in the racing teams and marketing. EDR e-racer Johannes Fischbach also knows this theory only as a rumour. "That would be tough, cancelling an entire sport. The last time that happened was in 2012, when the UCI removed the Fourcross World Cup from the programme," Fischbach recalls. He was affected as a fourcross racer at the time and switched to the downhill camp. A few years later, there was no more talk of fourcross, once a crowd favourite, and the discipline disappeared into oblivion.
If the UCI were to cancel the Enduro World Cup, it is to be expected that many EDR racers would probably switch to the electrified EDR-E, some perhaps even to the downhill camp. Just like enduro great Richie Rude (Yeti).
BIKE has enquired with the UCI, but the UCI has neither confirmed nor denied the rumour to date (as of 21 November 2023). BIKE stays tuned.
A look back: Enduro racing success story
1903: The roots
The idea of the enduro sport comes from motorcyclists. The word enduro is derived from the English word "endurance". The Scott Trial in England is considered to be one of the first races of this kind. Employees of the Scott Motorcycle Company rode around 70 miles through a variety of terrain.
1980s: Who invented it?
Some claim that Germany is the cradle of mountain bike enduro. The scene is Saalfeld and Zschopau. As early as the 1980s, bikers with converted touring bikes and moped suspension forks rode the routes of motorbike enduro competitions here - even for time.
End of the 80s: Or the French after all?
According to racing icon Fabien Barel, the French recognised the need to combine the downhill and cross-country formats back in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This is how the Combined MTB Rally was born. Although not yet with today's enduro structures, the idea was the same.
2000s: The first Enduro?
The first mountain bike with the name "Enduro" came onto the market in 2000. At the urging of their pro rider Shawn Palmer, the Specialized designers fitted the bike with disc brakes for the first time. The massive mudguards were intended to demonstrate the relationship to motorbike enduro bikes.
2009: First multi-day race
The Trans-Provence celebrates its premiere in 2009. It is regarded as the first multi-day enduro race. The basic idea behind the race format becomes particularly clear when you take a look at the list of starters at the time: the elite of the cross-country and downhill scene.
2011: Enduro boom
The enduro wave breaks out in 2011. Suddenly everyone only wants to ride enduro bikes. Almost all manufacturers are bringing corresponding bikes onto the market. The suspension travel is usually 160 millimetres at the front and rear. An enduro bike should still cover as wide a range of use as possible.
2012 Enduro race as a participatory event
The Specialized Enduro Series is born and can hardly save itself from registrations. The EES and EWS series follow.
2014: Technology boost
The industry invests in its racing teams and in the development of their bikes. Hobby bikers also benefit. Enduro bikes are becoming more powerful. In addition, the first German championship takes place in 2014. Winner: André Wagenknecht.
2016: Series death
The popular EES (European Enduro Series) is dying. The reasons are said to be liability risks, bureaucratic hurdles and financial bottlenecks. Shortly afterwards, the Specialized Sram Enduro Series also comes to an end.
2020: Mini downhiller
The routes of the Enduro World Series (EWS) are similar to real downhill runs. Accordingly, the designers build their bikes precisely for these requirements. Weight and suspension travel increase, the range of use shrinks.
2023: The coronation
The UCI is incorporating the Enduro World Series into the World Cup: the EDR and its e-counterpart EDR-E. An accolade for the discipline, which struggles with poor public appeal. The new marketer Warner Brothers promises a better presentation.
2024: Future uncertain
There are increasing rumours that the EDR will be spun off from the UCI World Cup in 2025. The EDR-E is to remain part of the World Cup. However, this is still speculation.
Laurin Lehner
Editor
