Analysis: Enduro World Series Rules and Regulations

Feb 25, 2013
by Matt Wragg  
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.

Nico Vouilloz on PS4.

bigquotes1. 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.

bigquotes2.1: 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.

bigquotesEnduro 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.

bigquotes4.1: 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.

bigquotesLiaison 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.

bigquotesRace 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.

bigquotes5.2: 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.

bigquotes5.4: 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.

bigquotesRider 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.

bigquotesCourse 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.

bigquotesThe 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...

bigquotes6.2 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.

bigquotes7: 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.

bigquotes8: 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.

bigquotesEnduro 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

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Author Info:
mattwragg avatar

Member since Oct 29, 2006
753 articles

69 Comments
  • 38 1
 Does any one know if there is going to be TV coverage? like for the DH?
  • 13 0
 I highly doubt it. There is't a lot of WRC coverage, since it's complicated to cover a long all day event. I think that there will be highlights after each race, but live coverage, hardly. But it would be awesome.
  • 5 0
 I assume that there will be highlights for every event like we had for the Italian Superenduro series last year.
  • 3 0
 Or like the videos for trance provence. That is pretty cool, too.
  • 2 0
 That's what we said. Highlights. Big Grin
  • 5 4
 It's too bad MegAvalanche isn't part of the series, it's the most spectacular enduro race out there from a spectators perspective.
  • 3 2
 Yeah Protour I agree. That's the place where it's all started.... They should mention about it in World Series
  • 3 0
 I always thought that the Tribe series was the start of Enduro?
  • 2 0
 It size the stages are individual so the mega won't be able to be a part of this unfortunately... Its too bad ass
  • 1 0
 It says*
  • 3 1
 Yes Protour from a spectators perspective MegaAvalanche is spectacular but from a riders perspective it can become borderline dangerous and the best riders can get knocked out in the first turn because of some wayward amateur. It's a good decision to not include it in the EWS.
  • 3 2
 The Mega is the archtetypal Enduro race. It should be in. How can they decide that it isn't enduro any more?
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.
  • 20 1
 I like this rule:

"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.
  • 5 4
 I don't really get that at all. If someone is injured or in some kind of bad situation then by all means I would stop and help, but if they just have a flat tire or dropped chain or something then why would I want to stop and help them? It sounds kind of dick, but I mean when you spend hundreds of dollars and many days traveling around to get to do a race it's pretty shitty to ruin your race run to help someone else. Again, assuming they aren't in any serious sort of situation that is more important than a race time like if they are hurt.
  • 7 0
 I don't think i would stop to help with a puncture in a race situation either :o) But i think the helping each other part will happen more between stages!
  • 3 2
 Ah that makes sense, I was thinking more of a local race where they had a rule that required you to stop and help anyone you came across who needed help. During the timed part of your run! I'm sure the enduro world as a whole has more sense than to make that an official rule though.
  • 5 0
 Or if you find a racer with his skull cranked open during your special stage, you should get off your bike and call for the paramedics, because riding on by would be unsportsmanlike.
  • 12 2
 Hah I think riding by someone with their skull cranked open and not stopping to help would be un-humanlike.
  • 1 1
 I understand if someone is in 60th position and see's someone else that needs help to stop and help them but if your racing in the top 10 contention then it's every man/woman for themselves.
  • 14 2
 On-bike training is a big (well surely the only one) disappointment of this rule book. We'll see how this goes and how much spontaneity is lost in the ride. This will surely help the new pros coming from DH/4X/XC to adapt to the format. But my feeling is that it makes it unfair to amateurs who won't necessarily have the possibility to show up one day earlier to learn the courses. It's anyway difficult to really learn them all in one day, but still. Adaptation is enduro I think and now it feels like it's a bit less the case.
  • 6 9
 That is a bit blurry, man. It is like those people complaining on DH races that this and this guy helped to build the track and he should not be allowed to compete tomorrow. Then he gets beaten by a bunch of people anyways because you either can ride or you don't. To be honest from my few visits to the races it's a loosers excuse. Especially in Enduro when tracks are few and very long and remembering them is much more difficult than a DH course, it makes little sense. It's what you have in your bag sincr you begun riding. Then for the same reason of courses being long and many, most amateurs who would come to test ride tracks the day earlier, would be tired and battered on the main event...
  • 14 1
 If you didn't allow practicee then the locals that know the trails would have an advantage so there is no perfect situation. Plus practice is one of the most fun things about enduro racing. The more riding the better.
  • 5 15
flag WAKIdesigns (Feb 25, 2013 at 5:09) (Below Threshold)
 Yea yea Protour, advantage against who? Practice must be there and does help, but knowing the track will never elevate someone from one league to another. Even If there was no practice in Schedule any top racer would come and check it out before. I saw all too well top dogs coming to a DH race on saturday morning when some smart asses were training there since a week. It took those top guys a track walk and two runs to make some people realize that talking about advantages of knowing every stone of the track is the loosers bs...
  • 5 1
 so how do you explain Chilean locals laying down faster times than some of pros in the Valparaiso urban race year after year?
  • 3 0
 i one day of practice you cant hope to learn all 20+ mins of riding off by heart the way you do with a DH race, all it will do is allow people to scope the terrain and learn where the particularly techy spots are........it will also allow you to figure how to pace yourself in each stage. but you wont learn every corner in one day.
  • 3 1
 Shawshaw, the VCA has nothing to do with what you're talking about, the locals lay down faster times because they ride well, the course is built up on saturday it's not like they have it built up all year round, so the pros and the locals have the exact same time to train it.
  • 2 1
 I was using it as an example, obviously the course isn't a permanent feature but the fact that locals are used to riding that sort of terrain more than the pros gives them an advantage. It's the same anywhere, if you consistently ride a certain sort of obstacle you will get faster over those obstacles. I'm not saying it will make you pro
  • 4 1
 Running an enduro course blind can lead to injuries on tech spots (e.g. mandatory doubles). Ask me how I know. I'm all for practice runs.

Plus, the practice shuttles are sometimes included in race entry fees. Who wouldn't love that?
  • 1 0
 WAKI there are only a handfull of pro riders (well last year) but plenty of amateurs biting at their heels (no, not me).
Training's the best thing Protour? Great! You can get some training anyday! Wink 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.
  • 2 0
 I think it is the safety factor. I've got a family and I want to know where the rock steps are before I hit them.
  • 1 1
 I guess what I ultimately wanted to say is... practice runs should be done by everyone. Those who can't attend practice, are evidently not treating biking and racing seriously enough, and have no right to bitch that others could be there and there is some misadvantage. If they are not that serious about racing, they will not get any higher ranks anyways, even if they trained for a week before the event, they will greatly loose to a "serious guy" that never ever saw the track before. As I said: loosers excuse.

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
  • 2 0
 Practice should be unlimited for everyone and strongly encouraged. If everyone gets to the point where they can't ride the course any faster, the fastest bloke wins. The problems with blind runs are that they are extremely dangerous, and totally open to corruption and exploitation. Even having one run as opposed to none gives you an unquantifiably large advantage over blind runners. As if the bloke who sets the course is immune to taking some backsheesh to tell someone the line that the course is going to use the following week. To win a blind DH race you have to be very skillful, lucky and a bit crazy too. That gives teenagers an unfair advantage over old twats like me.
  • 11 2
 These rules are pretty awesome. I think they give a fighting chance to amateur racers. They just need to keep it up and stay true to their idea. And this will be a fantastic branch of the sport. Smile
  • 3 2
 It's great they are doing it without the UCI, if it succeeds it could be an alternative racing organization. Surely the UCI will not attempt to punish athletes who compete in this series like they have in the past with XC racers who compete in races run by different organizations.
  • 7 0
 I dont ride enduro or am but this is the MOST informative article ive ever read on pinkbike. Good job clearing up the rules and regulations
  • 3 0
 "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. "

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
  • 2 1
 It would interesting watching someone do a frame swap mid race.
  • 6 1
 Good work Matt, just what the doctor ordered! The UCi won't like that 'World Champion' part but that's a shrewd move from the organisers to get everyone excited!!
  • 2 6
flag WAKIdesigns (Feb 25, 2013 at 3:04) (Below Threshold)
 They have little to say, when in F1 FIA was cocky towards teams being not happy with how the circus is governed, the rules and bans, they sent Bernie who straightened Balestre out. Same was close with roadie teams on TDF not so long ago, when UCI was on the edge of getting a thank you letter from organizers. Forumers tend to look for a monster who holds the sport down, they look for reasons why DH is not on sport news every evening before the weather forecast comes on... please make it never happen...
  • 3 1
 "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."
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.
  • 2 0
 I can't imagine courses will be fully taped (that wouldn't be environmentally sensitive), so my guess is that shortcutting will be rampant. Without tape, what is shortcutting? If you make a turn 3 feet inside of the established line, is that shortcutting? Go to the left of a big boulder (or over it) instead of going to the right - is that a shorcut? In environments where there is no clearly defined single trail, this will be a challenge to determine.

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.
  • 5 0
 How do they enforce the no cutting corners rule ?

Surely they can't marshall a long track so easily as a DH event ?
  • 15 1
 Im guessing they'll hire a bunch of these dudes-

images.celebrateexpress.com/mgen/merchandiser/803964.jpg

-and station them throughout the course
  • 1 0
 This is I think a difficult one. Unless the bits that ARENT taped are a free for all...
Having ahem> had to deal with this situation, it needs better calarification..sorry
  • 1 1
 Page 10 in the EWS rulebook:
"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."
  • 2 1
 Probably like one the megavalanche. There they call it auto-cotrole, riders keeping an eye on each other and if someone cheats two others who saw it can report it.
  • 2 0
 with a GPS chip embedded into your arm, ouch!
  • 3 0
 lostcanuck, that is not too bad. everyone has a smartphone and as long as you make each route a section on Strava you could easily check those few whose times are a little faster than normal. You could also check every run of everyone on the podium. I know Strava ain't perfect, but if someone accuses me of cheating and I can whip out my phone and say 'hey, look, I did the same course as you' then at least it is some proof.
  • 1 0
 But its strava!!!! nar i can see where your coming from
  • 1 0
 Enduro by Strava, get your jerryrigged cell phones ready!
  • 1 0
 I have to disagree: "The Overall Enduro World Series Team ranking will be calculated using the best three rider's results, regardless of category..." - it says regardless of category, not BY category. That means that a team consisting of the three fastest women (for example) will get more points than a team with elite men placed 2-4 ...

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 ...
  • 5 0
 FUTURE OF THE MO FUGGIN SPORT RIGHT HERE. fuck uci fo ever.
  • 1 0
 Great analysis. Thanks. Just keep it fun enough, and burly enough that some roided out dude in a skinsuit on a bike 32mm stanchion forks doesn't end up dominating - and that sounds like no fun on no good, and this format is supposed to be fun and good.
  • 1 1
 I cant wait to get my shred on at some local endure races! all ambiguity aside. I really don't care about one person cutting corners or any other possible loophole in the rules. I'm just excited about the whole thing! Let me race.
  • 1 1
 I hope the definition for descending is made a little more specific. I'm worried about "Enduro's" popping up in flat parts of the US East Coast. To me, if the podium winners are on SS or Rigid bikes, its not technical enough.
  • 3 0
 truly for riders, average or not.
  • 2 0
 Ao is there any specific requirements for bikes? i.e certain amount of travel etc
  • 2 0
 The only requirement about your bike is that you can only use one bike.( one frame, fork, shock,wheel set). Although they allow for broken part replacements, if the broken parts are brought to the race official.

I would think that the climbing stages and pedaling sections are added to keep the DH sleds from dominating.
  • 1 0
 Once the season gets going, it would be rad to have an article or two on some of the top riders bikes and how they're setup. Nice work btw.
  • 3 0
 Lets hope it catches on here...
  • 1 0
 Well, I can see why pros want individual start times, but starting when you want means you can ride with your pals all day, much better craic.
  • 3 0
 Nice explanation Big Grin
  • 1 0
 How much is the registration for Team? Do Teams need an own EMBA licence?
  • 1 0
 you'll have a better chance if you ask EMBA directly..
  • 1 0
 I did. it is the same as for an single rider.
  • 1 0
 Is there any maximum o minimum travel requirements on the enduro bikes?
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