This weekend's race has a very different feel to some of the recent Enduro World Series races. The race will be seven stages spread over 50km, with 1700m+ of climbing, but the gradient is fairly mellow and the transfer times are quite relaxed - as races have been getting notoriously harder and harder, this is step towards a more inclusive race than we have seen in a while, a return to a more trail riding feel. The idea is that this should be a more social affair, giving riders time to chat to their mates on the way up to the stages. With the smaller hill the stages are pretty short, so riders should be able to go flatout all the way down. It's set to be a very physical race and to ride this kind of terrain very fast is going to take big lungs and a lot of upper body strength to keep the bike moving. And with a short race any mistake are going to be more costly than ever...



It was sunny somewhere on the horizon and raining somewhere else all day today. We were rained on multiple times but still managed to get burned by the sun while switching between suncream and Gortex.
It was sunny somewhere on the horizon and raining somewhere else all day today. We were rained on multiple times but still managed to get burned by the sun while switching between suncream and Gore-Tex.

The Irish Sea is a big part of what keeps this part of the world so green so when the storms aren t coming in off the mountain they re coming from the water...
The Irish Sea is a big part of what keeps this part of the world so green, so when the storms aren't coming in off the mountain, they're coming from the water...

It was a bit wet and overcast to start the first day of practice in the Emerald Isle.
It was a bit wet and overcast to start the first day of practice in the Emerald Isle.

The top of stage 2 is as awkward as it gets and Dan Atherton knows that when the going gets rough you just need to monster truck it out.
The top of stage two is as awkward as it gets, and Dan Atherton knows that when the going gets rough you just need to monster truck it out.

Stage two is more than a litte physical with some punchy climbs and flat sections to power your way through. Gary Forrest isn t scared of a little pedalling though.
Stage two is more than a little physical with some punchy climbs and flat sections to power your way through. Gary Forrest isn't scared of a little pedalling though.

World Cup DH racer Andrew Neethling went 110 Enduro with his fanny pack.
World Cup DH racer, Andrew Neethling went 110% enduro with his fanny pack.

Anneke Beerten was looking on point all through practice.
Anneke Beerten was looking on point all through practice.

Damian Oton was flying a bit under the radar today and we never really saw what his speed was on track. But rest assured he has the 2 plate for a reason and will be a threat come Sunday.
Damian Oton was flying a bit under the radar today and we never really saw what his speed was on track. But rest assured he has the #2 plate for a reason and will be a threat come Sunday.

This is Isabeau Courduriers third bike ride this season after a winter studying in Quebec - each tim out she looks faster and we d expect her to be closer to the podium this weekend than she was in Rotorua.
This is Isabeau Courdurier's third bike ride this season after a winter studying in Quebec - each time out she looks faster and we'd expect her to be closer to the podium this weekend than she was in Rotorua.

Yoann Barelli wasn t pausing to enjoy the view today and was riding full gas as always.
Yoann Barelli wasn't pausing to enjoy the view today and was riding full gas as always.

There is a lot of climbing here in Ireland but nothing is too steep and the pace is nice and casual allowing riders to catch up and socialize along the way.
There is a lot of climbing here in Ireland but nothing is too steep and the pace is nice and casual, allowing riders to catch up and socialize along the way.

Healthy happy and focused Tracey Moseley looks very smooth and confident here in Ireland.
Healthy happy and focused, Tracey Moseley looks very smooth and confident here in Ireland.

Cecile Ravanel always does well in the one day events - can she upset Tracy and Anne-Caroline this weekend
Cecile Ravanel always does well in the one day events - can she upset Tracy and Anne-Caroline this weekend?

Florian Nicolai likes tight awkward trails so even though it s far wetteer than his native trails in France he has all the skills to do well here.
Florian Nicolai likes tight, awkward trails so even though it's far wetter than his native trails in France, he has all the skills to do well here.

Jerome pins through the field of Gorse Bush that is in full bloom throughout the top of Stage 1.
Jerome pins through the field of Gorse bush that is in full bloom throughout the top of Stage 1.

As in New Zealand Jerome Clementz has another custom jersey here in Ireland. Pint of Guinness anyone
As in New Zealand, Jerome Clementz has another custom jersey here in Ireland. Pint of Guinness anyone?

Curtis Keene cuts through the Gorse Bush
Curtis Keene cuts through the Gorse bush.

Jesse Melamed hucking his meat for the camera. This is just for show when he s not sending it for the photographers his lines are far more earth-bound as he is determined to make a serious dent in the rankings this year.
Jesse Melamed hucking his meat for the camera. This is just for show, when he's not sending it for the photographers, his lines are far more earth-bound as he is determined to make a serious dent in the rankings this year.

Curtis Keene was out riding the liaison stages with the Godfathers of Enduro Fred Glo Chris Ball and Enrico Guala
Curtis Keene was out riding the liaison stages with the Godfathers of Enduro, Fred Glo, Chris Ball and Enrico Guala

Nico Lau is loving it here in Ireland and was all smiles at the end of the day.
Nico Lau is loving it here in Ireland and was all smiles at the end of the day.

Mark Scott absolutely tore the rock garden at the top of three apart. While many riders searched for a complicated solution to the problem he used a simpler one - speed. He hit the more obvious left of centre line but committed completely to it.
Mark Scott absolutely tore the rock garden at the top of three apart. While many riders searched for a complicated solution to the problem he used a simpler one - speed. He hit the more obvious left of centre line, but committed completely to it.

Richie Rude is not gentle on bikes. Without Jared to accompany him in practice he quietly set about destroying everything in his path.
Richie Rude is not gentle on bikes. Without Jared to accompany him in practice he quietly set about destroying everything in his path.

Local favourite Greg Callaghan sending the rock drop at the top of stage four.
Local favourite, Greg Callaghan sending the rock drop at the top of stage four.

Constant moisture means the Blue Bells are in full bloom as Iago Garay scrubs his way through the lower woods on Stage 4.
Constant moisture means the Blue Bells are in full bloom as Iago Garay scrubs his way through the lower woods on Stage 4.

Jerome Clementz form this weekend must be worrying the field right now - he s happy relaxed and looking effortlessly fast. It seems winning the opening round has put him in a good place and he is hard to beat when he is on that kind of a run.
Jerome Clementz form this weekend must be worrying the field right now - he's happy, relaxed and looking effortlessly fast. It seems winning the opening round has put him in a good place and he is hard to beat when he is on that kind of a run.

Josh Carlson is feeling more than a little at home here - Carrick is mostly eucalyptus trees just like his home trails back in Australia.
Josh Carlson is feeling more than a little at home here - Carrick is mostly eucalyptus trees, just like his home trails back in Australia.

Swap the Enduro bike out for a DH bike and this shot of Matti Lehikoinen and it wouldn t even look out of place. To say the top of Stage 3 is gnarly is an understatement.
Swap the enduro bike out for a DH bike in this shot of Matti Lehikoinen and it wouldn't even look out of place. To say the top of Stage 3 is gnarly is an understatement.

Stage 3 runs through a bit of a clear cut for a long ways and is the only stage where riders have on unobstructed view of the trail ahead.
Stage three runs through a bit of a clear cut for a long ways and is the only stage where riders have on unobstructed view of the trail ahead.

Fabien Barel seemed happy with his progress in practice today but was reticent about saying too much about how fast he s feeling.
Fabien Barel seemed happy with his progress in practice today, but was reticent about saying too much about how fast he's feeling.

Cunny has been put in charge of a gator 4x4 vehicle for the media access. Whether this was a sensible idea remains to be seen...
Cunny has been put in charge of a gator 4x4 vehicle for the media access. Whether this was a sensible idea remains to be seen...

Matt Wragg • Age: 32 • Years Shooting: 3
Maybe best-known as a long-standing member of Pinkbike's European editorial team, Matt is also a successful commercial photographer. As the first English-speaking photographer to follow and document the nascent European enduro scene, he was shooting enduro well before it became a marketing buzzword or a shade of blue. Today he is still one of the few photographers to make his living following the discipline and has built up an enviable client list that includes many of the top teams and brands in the world.


Dave Trumpore • Age: 35 • Years Shooting: 4
Dave spent the bulk of the past 17 years racing professionally before realizing that despite qualifying for the random World Cup final here and there, the next generation was just way too fast and way more talented. Upon hanging up his racing boots in 2010, it would be a few years until Dave picked up a camera and started shooting the odd race here and there as a way to stay in touch with all the friends he had made over the years, and the rest as they say is history. In just a few years time his photos have graced the pages of just about every MTB magazine and major media outlet, while his commercial client list includes a who's who of the cycling industry, and he is lucky enough to shoot regularly with some of the best riders on the planet. Currently at Pinkbike, Dave shoots the Downhill WC and the Enduro World Series as well as contributing to the occasional editorial story.


MENTIONS: @EnduroWorldSeries, @bikinginireland, @Cannondale, @GTBicycles, @mattwragg, @davetrump


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Member since Oct 29, 2006
753 articles

29 Comments
  • 74 0
 Dear PB, I cannot seem to get any work done when you continue posting these sick pics with such killer format. If your intention is to blatantly feed my MTB addiction, then you have won. I surrender.
  • 10 0
 It's shocking to think once this event is over the trails will be illegal again. Wicklow has so much potential for trail centre development and Cycling Ireland seem to simply ignore it. I just checked their website an there's barely a shred on this weekends events. Just shows how much Cycling Ireland is not committed to the development of mtb in Ireland
  • 8 0
 Knowing the trails and seeing them presented like this with these superstars on them is bringing me to beyond excitement for Sunday race day; family commitments keep me away until then.
I put in just one day during the building of stage three but I do know it am looking forward to seeing how the superstars and my club mates MADMTB ride it. Two more sleeps....
  • 2 0
 (Slasher) what a trail! So short and furious
  • 7 0
 Haha, I wonder if the overseas riders have discovered how lethally slippery bluebells are and how prickly gorse bushes are!!
  • 10 6
 Suncream? Never heard it called anything besides sunscreen. Aside from that, great coverage PB! Wish I was there! Trails look so fun!
  • 15 2
 In Ireland we call it sun cream lol
  • 4 0
 SunScream!
  • 4 10
flag moroj82 (May 22, 2015 at 15:43) (Below Threshold)
 shouldn't it be affectionately renamed to "Ginger Cream"?! It is Ireland, afterall Big Grin
  • 3 1
 Lmao... kid from Nebraska shows up to cali on springbreak, and asks for suncream at the boogieboard rental hut. Son, you wants some cream huh?
  • 8 0
 Yes, we call it cream in the UK for logical reasons, because it rarely 100% screens the sun, and it comes in cream form!
  • 5 0
 Pinkbike seems to think I need a bigger monitor.
  • 1 0
 Yeah I get about 2/3rds of each one on my laptop screen. A little frustrating when the quality is so good!
  • 1 0
 was thinking the same thing! even on 15" retina display they don't quite fit on!
  • 4 0
 @tlilly i was thinking the exact thing hahaha suncream it is!
  • 4 0
 How much style from that last pic of Barel.
  • 3 2
 Uhh? www.pinkbike.com/photo/12260344

Some squidy mounting right there. Although, she'll probably be faster than me still.
  • 1 0
 I live in the area of the second pic! It's a 50min climb to the top of carrick from my door,and now with even more new trails to rip! Yahooo
  • 1 0
 www.pinkbike.com/photo/12260251
Is Richie Rude listening to music while smashing the trails?
  • 2 0
 Honestely thought it said sun scream.
  • 1 0
 What's all this talk about Star Scream? thought this was Enduro, not Decepticons Razz
  • 1 0
 The photos are amazing. That is all.
  • 1 0
 Does anyone which chainguide Richie Rude uses?
  • 1 0
 What brand of chain guide does Richie Rude use?
  • 1 0
 Looks like 77dezigns
  • 1 0
 So awesome seeing those dudes on home turf.
  • 1 0
 Oh, yeah! This is by far my favourite format!
  • 1 1
 Gorse bushes will shred your arms.
  • 2 0
 Every mountain has its thorny plants, Gorse may be Britain's prickliest shrub, buts its nothing compared to say a South African Acacia.







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