Last Friday, February 22, the Enduro World Series issued their official rules and regulations. This is a big moment for enduro. As a growing discipline there is still a lot of confusion out there as to what is and what isn't an enduro race. Hopefully, this will bring some clarity and the sport can move forward from this point in a sensible way. We sat down with the rule book and worked through it - here is what you need to know about the Enduro World Series rules, point-by-point. We haven't included every point in the rule book, instead highlighting the most important ones. If you want to read the whole thing you can
download it from their website.
| 1. Description - The racing platform detailed below outlines a format that allows riders to compete against each other on individual start special stages which are designed to challenge the rider's technical ability and physical capacity. The following rules aim to define the enduro mountain bike discipline while still allowing space for each event on the Enduro World Series calendar to add their own individual characteristics to each event. |
There are a couple of points here that are worth drawing out, firstly that they define the racing as "individual start special stages." This means races like the Megavalanche and Mountain of Hell do not qualify as enduro races, because they are mass-start. Secondly, the words "technical ability" mean that the stages should test bike handling, it's not just a pedalling competition, although your fitness will be important. In the second paragraph is one of the great things about the sport developing outside the rigid structures of the UCI - the aim of the rules is to describe a race format that can be run almost anywhere and keep the local identity. An enduro race in France can and should feel very different from an enduro race in North America, but it is still the same sport. It's also one of the big reasons races like Megavalanche and Mountain of Hell were ruled out as enduro races. Yes, they're great, but you can only run them in a tiny handful of places around the world, while this kind of enduro can be universal.
| 2.1: Racing Licenses/Membership - All competitors must comply with the licensing regulations and entry requirements put in place by the organiser of each Enduro World Series (EWS) event. |
As a racer this is one you need to pay attention to. It is your responsibility to find out what the entry requirements are for the race you are entering, and each race may have different rules. For example, in Italy you are going to need a full-face helmet, a back protector and medical clearance to race. Medical clearance means either an Italian doctor's note or a national racing license.
| Enduro Mountain Bike Assoc. (EMBA) Membership - Only competitors holding an EMBA membership will be eligible for Enduro World Series points and any associated Enduro World Series prize money or overall titles. |
This is a simple one. You want to win a title? Buy a membership before you race. Memberships will be 30 Euros and available from February 25 onward. It's not a lot of money, and all the money goes to funding the EMBA and helps secure the future of the sport. In fact, anyone who wants to see enduro grow should probably buy one, regardless whether they are going to race or not. And if you're one of the people who doesn't like how the UCI operates, this is your chance to support an alternative model for an international race series, run by riders for riders.
| 4.1: Structure - All Special Stages must follow a predominantly descending route and focus on testing the rider's technical skills. Special exceptions can be made for prologue stages. Enduro racing is about best use of the trails and terrain available. Rider experience and enjoyment should be the focus for any course setter. It is expected that, in order to achieve the best riding on the best trails possible, some climbs will feature within Special Stages. |
This backs up that opening description. In short: enduro is about bike handling. Yes, you need fitness and there will probably be some short climbs, but the stages should be mainly downhill and, most importantly of all, fun. The line about making the best use of the terrain is also important - the idea is that you should be able to run an enduro race anywhere with hills.
| Liaison Stages - The composition of each Liaison Stage is at the discretion of the organiser. Mechanical uplift (chairlift, truck etc), rider power (pedalling) or a combination of both is acceptable. |
It's self-explanatory really, but worth noting. Again, you need to check with the race organisers what the race format will be; it could be anything from all chairlift-assisted to a 50km loop.
| Race Format - Individual start on all special stages, minimum of 4 Special Stages per event, minimum of 20 minutes total competition time for the fastest rider in the General Classification (accumulation of all Special Stages), minimum of 3 different courses must be used per event and individual start times for each Special Stage must be provided by the organiser. |
This is a clarification of the race format. The minimum requirements for the competition are aimed at making sure the World Series races are just that, international standard races. Many smaller races today tend to be over three stages or so, which is great fun for riders, but at this level things need to be a step above. We're big fans of the three course rule as it means more tracks to ride in each race and, therefore, more fun. The individual start times will be a change for the Enduro Series races in France, because until now only the top 20 had start times, everyone else could go when they wanted.
| 5.2: Training - On-bike training must be provided by the organiser on all Special Stages before timed competition begins. Details of training times are to be published ahead of each Enduro World Series event on each organiser's website. |
Practice is a big deal in enduro. Before, the French races were run blind, so this will be another big change for them. However, the practice rules will be different for each country, so riders need to check on the local organisers' websites to understand how each race will be run and how much practice they can have. The general consensus from racers is that enduro shouldn't turn into a long-distance downhill race where you know the track rock-by-rock, as a big element of enduro racing has always been the ability to read the terrain ahead of you.
| 5.4: Result - The General Classification will be calculated by adding all Special Stage times together for each rider. |
In the past some races allowed riders to attempt stages multiple times and take their best time for their classification. This will not be allowed in Enduro World Series races.
| Rider Equipment - Each rider must be self-sufficient during the entire duration of the race. Personal responsibility and self-sufficiency are a large part of the spirit of enduro racing and riders are encouraged to carry adequate equipment for operating in mountainous environments. Only one frame, one front and rear suspension unit (fork/rear shock) and one pair of wheels can be used by a competitor during a race. |
If you're one of the people who asks "Why are enduro riders always wearing backpacks?" this is why. If you're going out for a 50km loop and need to be self-sufficient there's only one way you can do that. The rules on frame, fork, and wheels are there to make it clear that your bike needs to be strong enough to survive the race. Sure, getting it as light as you can will help, but if your bike breaks you're out of the running for any kind of reasonable time.
| Course cutting - Taking short cuts on course in order to gain an advantage can both damage the environment and brings the sport and spirit of enduro mountain biking racing into disrepute. Therefore, any rider trying to save time by choosing a line that lies outside of the marked course will be disqualified. |
Nice and clear here: no course cutting. Enough said.
| The overall winner of the Enduro World Series will be titled the Enduro Mountain Bike World Champion. |
Boom! This is surely going to get the world's fastest enduro racers excited. Let's just repeat that one more time: Enduro Mountain Bike World Champion. Start placing your bets now...
| 6.2 Team Rankings - Only official, registered EWS teams will contest the team ranking of the Enduro World Series. The Overall Enduro World Series Team ranking will be calculated using the best three rider's results, regardless of category, at each round of the Enduro World Series. |
For team managers this will be an important one to understand. Only registered teams can compete for the team title, which is important for the series as having teams commit means the series can move forwards confidently. The ranking will take the top three-placed riders at a race, by category, and those points will count towards the team ranking.
| 7: Financial Obligations - Maximum event entry fee: 75 Euros |
Times are tough, few people are feeling rich right now, so it's good to see a race series cap entry fees. 75 Euros isn't cheap, but for an international-level race where you'll be racing against the world's top riders, we're going to call that a very reasonable limit. If you want to race something cheaper, there are lots of good, smaller series out there to go and have fun racing.
| 8: Anti-Doping Policy - With the interests of keeping enduro mountain biking clean from the start and to avoid the spirit and reputation of enduro mountain bike racing from being brought into disrepute, any cyclist, regardless of cycling discipline, who has previously been found guilty by any court or regulatory body of any use of or involvement with banned, performance enhancing drugs will not be entitled to compete or take part in any Enduro World Series event. |
Zero tolerance. With the recent revelations about a French rider testing positive for a banned substance, it's great to see the Enduro World Series putting this out front. The message is clear: they want to keep enduro a clean sport.
| Enduro of Nations - The Enduro of Nations is a once-a-year event that has one significant difference to other Enduro World Series events - qualified riders compete as national teams, representing their nation. The Enduro of Nations will form the only event of year where riders representing their nation will compete together. |
We're excited to hear that Enduro of Nations will still keep going, as it's always one of the highlights of the year for us. The national team format will continue too as most riders enjoyed the opportunity to represent their country. They say it will become a separate event in the future, but for the time being it was easiest to keep it as part of the series. Riders for the national team will be the top three ranked riders in the Enduro World Series (rankings from other races and series don't count).
www.enduroworldseries.com
They are "anti doping", but I wouldn't expect there to be too many controls at races. Who pays for the analysis? No one has to if it doesn't get done. An organisation in its infancy isn't going to waste money on drug testing I'll bet. I think we should just all forget about doping and move on.
"Racers are encouraged to help fellow competitors on course.
Any competitor receiving outside assistance from a non-racer without prior agreement from the Race Director will be disqualified. This includes using team staff/outside help to carry equipment around the course or perform repairs during the race."
That is just what mountainbike comps should be like, racers helping each other and you will be able to win without a big team.
Plus, the practice shuttles are sometimes included in race entry fees. Who wouldn't love that?
Training's the best thing Protour? Great! You can get some training anyday! Quite som races are 2 days racing. And that's where I wonder when they're gonna make trainings. I'll surely miss them and it won't change much to my ranking, but for the top amateurs, that'll be another story. And that's what I don't like.
But ok, they had to make some decision obviously, although they could have left it up to the organizers.
The other drawback is that courses could just get more and more technical if not dangerous. Training or not, there will be injuries. Just look at DH! The injury argument is a bad one: the more you know (or think you know) the course, the faster you ride. And the faster you crash, the worse the injury.
There is no point in starting in a race which you haven't raced the day before... do you know what winners do on an exhausting climb? They can't wait to get over the crest - do you know what they do after the crest? THEY PUSH HARDER! pffkhhhhhh... oh oh sorry, straight face...pffkpmfhhh
Riders should be allowed to strap an extra fork or wheelset to their backpack as along as they are willing to carry the extra weight :-P
How safe will it be, so spend 30€ and see that my money will be good at the EMBA?
I remeber the DH1 Race Series, which was a good idea but didn't enforce.
Just to make my point clear: Spending money isnt bad but in the end it might leaves a void in my pocket, because the EMBA couldn't enfore.
I am sure this part will work itself out, but probably not until some significant controversy. See Brian Lopes interview in current MBA.
Super stoked on the format however. I think after all these years and with the phenomenal AM/Trail bikes on the market, Enduro reflects what most of us like about MtB-ing.
Surely they can't marshall a long track so easily as a DH event ?
images.celebrateexpress.com/mgen/merchandiser/803964.jpg
-and station them throughout the course
Having ahem> had to deal with this situation, it needs better calarification..sorry
"The organiser can appoint special ‘Flying Marshals’ to travel around the course at their own discretion to undisclosed points. These ‘Flying Marshals’ can report rule violations to the organiser."
The rule "Only one frame, one front and rear suspension unit (fork/rear shock) and one pair of wheels ..." is probably not there to prevent light bikes, but in order to make sure that people don´t switch their bikes during the stages and only use one bike for all stages and the transfers ...
I would think that the climbing stages and pedaling sections are added to keep the DH sleds from dominating.