Mid-Season Recap: European Enduro Series 2014

Following the competitions in Punta Alta, Italy and Flims, Switzerland, the European Enduro Series 2014 moved into the second half at Kronplatz in South Tyrol, Italy last weekend. There are only three stops left on the circuit, one in Reschenpass, Austria, followed by Maribor, Slovenia, and finally in Treuchtlingen, Germany; so we thought we’d go through a quick review of the season.



In the pro's class, 156 men and 34 women have competed against one another in the European Enduro Series, a series of races newly introduced in 2014. The majority of the pros and amateurs are from Germany, Austria and Switzerland; however, in total there were 17 nations on the starting list to date, including Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Czech Republic and Finland and even Russia as our "Enduro exotic."

1st stop at Punta Ala / Toscany (ITA) by Axel Brunst

At the last race, there were six stages for the pros, and a shorter race with only four stages for the amateurs, with a combination of uphill peddling sections and three different lifts. South Tyrol gave Enduro lovers everything they could have wished for: stages five and six that could be mistaken for a bike-park, then natural trails exemplified by stage four, and a sustained challenge with the length of the trails. Kronplatz not only offered a lot of variety in a beautiful scenery, but also the all-around stress-free atmosphere and the relaxed riders BBQ at the “Krontreff” added to the successful race-weekend. The weather-god was benevolent too. After some very soggy weather on training day, the moment the prologue began the rain cleared and then held off through the whole race the next day, and only at the award ceremony did the sky open-up again.

The winner of Kronplatz, Matthias Stonig (AUT) MS Mondraker Team, on stage 4.

16-year-old Raphaela Richter, of the Radon Factory Enduro Team, couldn’t be topped in the women's pro class. This was the premiere for the young German rider in the European Enduro Series, who is second in the overall ranking of the Specialized SRAM Enduro Series. "I haven't taken part in any other race of the European Enduro Series. Actually I am here just for fun, because I really liked it here at the Kronplatz last year. Maybe I will still take part at the stop in Treuchtlingen, just to get some more experience.” She will actually still have a chance to win in the overall ranking of the European Series, if she stays on and has good results in the next few races.

Young gun Raphaela Richter - her first race and her first victory of the EES!

The Austrian Rüdiger Jahnel, who won in the master's class last weekend, only had positive things to say about the European Enduro Series and refers to it as ‘generally awesome’. "The Series works well as a link between the national series and the World Series. I especially like the fact that there were also very long stages at the Kronplatz, which are a little bit more like the ones in the World Series. This is really cool for the guys that want to prepare themselves for that." There is just one thing the winner of the European downhill championships 2012 (Masters), riding for Specialized and moutainbiker.at, would wish for: "It would be nice to see the top riders in the European Enduro Series, they are still missing. Many of the top riders weren't here today."

The leading men of the Masters-Class, Benedikt Purner (AUT).

Just as Ines Thoma. Missing out on the race in South Tyrol, she sits in third place in the overall standings. The German Enduro Specialist, of the Canyon Factory Enduro Team, is usually found at the Enduro World Series, however there are some races in the European Series and the Specialized SRAM Enduro Series where she pops up. Ines Thoma thinks that the European Series is very ‘cool’. "The stages are a little bit longer and more challenging than those at the SRAM Series, the European Enduro Series is a good compliment."

Lorraine Truong (SUI), the leading women at Punta Ala. By Axel Brunst

At the midpoint, Lorraine Truong from Switzerland is leading, but has a number of fast women nipping at her heels. "I can't take part in the whole series, but I would like to be at the starting line in Maribor", says the former cross country mountain biker, who switched to Enduro just two years ago; she is currently standing ahead of the Austrian Birgit Braumann of the Trek Gravity Girls by only six points and 23 points ahead of Ines Thoma. Switzerland, Austria and Germany: in the fight for the overall victory in the women's class, Birgit Braumann seems to be holding the trump because she will be the only one who is able to attend every single race.

Who will be the fastest women in Europe? Score at half time Birgit Braumann (AUT) is on the 2nd position.

In the men's class Robert William of the UK WTB Enduro Team has been ahead in the overall ranking since last weekend. The Brit, who speaks of the European Enduro Series compared to the other series as ‘a good in-between’, appreciates the relaxed atmosphere and is taking part in the whole series. He’s ahead of Ludwig Döhl (Cube Action Team, Germany) and James Shirly (Radon Factory Enduro Team, Great Britain) by 250 points, however the injury of former number one, Samuel Shucksmith (Pro Ride Guides, Great Britain) has contributed to his standing. He was seriously injured on stage five and now he won't be able to follow through with his plans to take part in the whole series. "If my hand is okay again by the start of the race at Reschenpass, I would still like to take part" says the Brit. His number one pro about the European Enduro Series: "It's simply too expensive to take part at the whole World Series, that's why it's great to have another option which allows you to take part at every race!"

After the race at Kronplatz, Robert Williams (UK) is the overall leader of the promen category.

There’s still plenty of excitement to come at the European Enduro Series 2014, in the pro women's and pro men's class the title is still up for grabs, anything can happen. The overall winners of the European Enduro Series 2014 will be determined during the next three races in August and September, and the absolute decision will be made on the 27th and 28th of September in Treuchtlingen, Germany.

All details on www.enduroseries.eu
Pics by Hanno Polomsky