Roc d’Azur & (E-)Enduro World Championships in October: A host of celebrities on the Ligurian coast

The Roc d’Azur Festival usually marks the end of the MTB event season. It has been this way for 42 years: at the end of October, bike companies set up their exhibition tents on the Côte d’Azur for the last time this season (covering an area of 45,000 square metres). Up to 150,000 visitors flock to the festival, making it the world’s largest mountain bike event.

“Heavy, persistent rain” on the first day of the festival

No fewer than 10,000 cyclists of all ages take part in the various race formats at the Roc d’Azur: professionals, amateurs, beginners, marathon riders, cross-country riders, gravel riders, e-bike riders and enduro riders. But touring cyclists are also drawn to the scenery, as the striking cliffs of the Esterel Mountains and the Massif des Maures rise up directly behind the expo area. Two incredibly exciting trail and touring spots in what is perhaps the most mountain-bike-friendly country in Europe.

So it’s well worth popping by if you’re in the area anyway. And if you weren’t there yesterday, 7 October, you didn’t miss a thing: due to heavy, persistent rain, all the planned events on the first day of the festival had to be cancelled. However, the sun is set to shine again over the next few days, bringing temperatures of 25 degrees. An overview of the rest of the festival programme up to Sunday, 11 October, can be found here: rocazur.com

Enduro World Championship in Finale: the best for last

But the season isn’t over yet this year – not with the Roc d’Azur. Less than 200 kilometres east of Fréjus on the motorway, the cyclists’ mecca of Finale Ligure is currently making meticulous preparations for the season’s grand finale: the UCI Enduro and E-Enduro World Championships are just around the corner!

This event will also run for four days, from 15 to 18 October:

• The event kicks off on Thursday 15 October with registration for the professional and open categories. In the evening: a grand opening party in Pietra Ligure
• Friday, 16 October: Training sessions for all classes and the opening ceremony with a team parade
• Saturday, 17 October: 8 am – 3 pm UCI E-Enduro World Championships, 9.30 am – 5.30 pm E-Enduro Open
• Sunday, 18 October: 8 am – 4.30 pm Enduro Open, 8 am – 6 pm UCI Enduro World Championships

So anyone who’s been looking forward to a relaxing final weekend over the next two weeks will have to make do with fewer open trails. On the other hand, when else do you get to see the world’s top enduro riders all in one place, tearing up the trails along the Italian-French coast?

Whilst some trails are likely to be closed for the races during the events, it’s safe to assume that the remaining coastal paths will have been given a very special final touch when the world’s elite arrive.

All the information you need for the World Championships in Finale Ligure: events.finaleoutdoor.com

New concept accommodation in Finale Ligure