Video: 1st UEC Enduro European Championships

Pouring rain, snow, cold, slush and mud - the first official Enduro European Championships were carried out under very difficult conditions, in what could be described as solo-mudwrestling a mountain. Just before the official start of summer, the Tyrolean weather wreaked extremes, and freak conditions on the event. During the training on Saturday, the riders were struggling with both cold weather and snowfall, while the planned lower Incity Prologue was washed away with the rain. Extremely wet and muddy conditions on race day pushed the athletes physically and mentally to their limits, and the sudden drop in temperature was also a real challenge for the organizers and everyone’s equipment. Although the sun never really came out all weekend, the mood among the 198 riders from 18 countries was cheerful; and after an extremely demanding and exciting final, the names of the first official Enduro European Champions were written in mountain biking history!

Happy riders brave the adverse weather conditions.

Snow in june - During the training a shortly onset of winter wasn't very helpful for the riders.

If it was not the snow, it was the rain, who provided the riders with a hard challenge.

Even during the mandatory training on Saturday, there was no hint that the start of summer was days away. Instead of sun and warm temperatures, there was grey on grey and snowfall on the higher stretches and pouring rain at the base. Even before the start of the race, the enduro riders were tested, seeing if they could endure difficult weather and conditions. The mood among the athletes was not as gloomy as the weather and the training day was full of energy with the hard-working athletes learning the four stages of the race.

In spite of really bad weather during the training, Rémy Absalon enjoys the trails at Kirchberg

Rudold Biedermann riding trails in snowy winter wonderland of Kirchberg.

The all-important race day was a downright mud-fest that pushed the riders and their gear to beyond what they thought was the limit. The riders had to draw upon all of their riding skills, and bring out all their fighting spirit, to beat their opponents on all four trails - including the famous Gaisberg Trail, the Lisi Osl Trail and the 7km long Fleckalm trail.

All eyes in the men’s elite class fell on the champions: Jérôme Clementz taking first, and then Remy Absalon from France, followed closely by Vid Persak from Slovenia who finished in third place. Jérôme Clementz, the top favourite going in, became the first official Enduro European Champion and once again a pioneer in enduro history, having already taken home the first Enduro World Series title. "In the conditions here, it was incredibly difficult to stay on the bike and not to fall. And it was especially mentally very tiring to stay in competition-mode all day,” said Clementz describing the challenges on the track. The 31-year-old came as a favourite to Kirchberg and can handle the pressure and the high expectations. "When I go to the starting line in a race, I always try to win! I wanted to be on the podium, now I am wearing the official jersey of the Enduro European Champion. This of course is great!" For probably the best current enduro rider, the premiere of the European Championship was a further positive step for the development of this young style of mountain biking. “The sport is evolving. It is good that institutions such as the UEC and UCI are slowly becoming involved. For the future I hope that the EWS will be working with the UCI and the series becomes more official."

Jérôme Clementz races down stage 2.

Handshake after the decision: 1st Enduro European Champion Jérôme Clementz and Vice European Champion Rémy Absalon.

René Wildhaber from Switzerland had travelled to Kirchberg with a score to settle. A disappointing second place in a Downhill Championship in 1999 was still fresh in his mind, and awoke his fighting spirit for the Enduro European Championship title. The world's best downhill marathon biker fully utilized his experience and mental strength in the harsh conditions and donned the jersey of the Enduro European Champion – Men’s Masters 30+ Class at the end of the day. About the importance of the first official Enduro European Championship, René Wildhaber had this to say: "This step towards the official structures of the UEC and UCI is very important to continue to develop the enduro sport, at national and international levels."

René Wildhaber from Switzerland had travelled to Kirchberg with a score to settle.

It wasn't only the riders who faced tremendous challenges last weekend in Tyrol’s Kirchberg, but the equipment also took a beating. "The gear was extremely important and crucial. It was a real challenge with all that mud!" Benedikt Purner recalled. The Tyrolean made sure that a local hero would be on the podium of the first official Enduro European Championship, securing the title of vice-Master’s Enduro European Champion behind René Wildhaber.

The local Benni Purner finished second and become Vice European Champion in the category Master Men 30+.

Anneke Beerten (NL) was a favourite to win this weekend in the women's elite category. Behind the first Enduro European Champion, Anita Gehrig from Switzerland was pleased with her second placement, and the young German rider Raphaela Richter proved once again that she has a promising future in the Enduro sport standing proud in third place.

The netherland Champion Anneke Beerten had absolutely no problems in the root field.

The happy soul, Antje Kramer, clinched a German triumph in the Women’s Masters class. She was completely overwhelmed, beaming at the top of the podium despite the bad weather. “I must say in retrospect, it was one of the greatest races I have ever experienced, even though the rain and the mud are not really what I like!" She became the first European Champion in the Women's Master Class, even though she started racing relatively late at the age of 30. A first and last, as she decided to finish her active racing days with this career highlight.

Cheerful soul Antje Kramer (GER) got the title first European Enduro Champion in the class Masters Women.

The weather conditions at the first UEC MTB Enduro European Championships could have been better, all the riders agreed the conditions were extremely challenging. Nonetheless, it was a successful premiere for the sport, and it won't be the only one – according to UEC, there are already plans in the works for a second Enduro European Championship next year!

Who want to have a look at this muddy-snowy weekend? Then scroll through the following photo show!

Rémy Absalon is getting ready for the race.

A tapped shoe a must have at the first EEC.

At the start the riders passed more that 18 flag of nationality.

Waiting for the race start.

The winner of the EES #1 Michal Prokop (CZE) waiting for his start time for stage 4.

A pure mud fight... also for Robert Williams (GBR) on the second stage.

Despite the bad weather the riders had an awesome view of the valley


No words to say, pure happiness!

The wet muddy conditions demanded everything from man and material.


Muddy but happy!

For the Scottish Cube Rider Scott Laughland the bad weather was just routine.

Totally muddy and wet but still grinning: Franziksa Meyer, the current German Enduro Champion.

Die Race-Twins Anita und Caro Gehrig at the bike-wash - not only the bikes needed a thorough washing.

That's all what the competitors saw from Anneke!

Awards Ceremony of the Women Elite seen through the lens of Manfred Stromberg.

Daniela Michel of Switzerland on her way to the 2nd place in the category Women Masters.

Anita Gehring lost her sister Caro on her way to the second place in the category Wome Elite.

Trevor Worsey always searching the best photo hotspot.

Stage 1, one of the shortest stages (2 minutes)

The fastest man of stage 1 - Robert Williams from Great Britain.

Carsten Geck from Germany at the start of stage 4. He is the first Enduro Champion (Men Masters 50+)

The overall winner of the championship was to be decided on Fleckalmtrail, stage 4.

Stage 4.

Caro Gehrig races stage 4 and finished the race on the fifth place.

Despite difficult weather conditions, a smile on her face.

Wilcox Stuart (GBR) is racing the epic nature at stage 4.

James Shirley´s finished on the 4th place.

Epic trails!

Not only the freshly baked European Champion Antje Kramer is very happy also Sabine from the organizing team.

Schemmel Daniel (AUT): the first European Champion in the category Men Juniors.

Jérôme Clementz crossed the finish line first.

Despite of his injury Greg Challagan was not able to start but he came to watch the race.

At the first EEC the dashing Austrian girls can not be missing at the awards ceremony.


Manfred Stromberg, one of the photografer, after a very muddy day!