Race Report: Central European Enduro Round 3 Gradec

New national enduro champs crowned in Graz
Usually it's the downhill riders on Schöckl mountain and the XC riders at Stattegg. Enduro Gradec (June 23rd & 24th) united both areas and crowned the national champions in the discipline of enduro.

Petra Bernhard and Kevin Maderegger took home victory at the third edition of Enduro Gradec were awarded with national enduro titles.


Long day in the saddle
To get there wasn't an easy task. After the prologue on Saturday, five stages were on the plan for Sunday from Stattegg to Schöckl. This translated into a lengthy transfer, 1.300 vertical meters of pedalling, one gondola ride and almost 2.000 meters of descent. Benefit for spectators: two stages and the prologue ended right at the event center at Lässerhof, Stattegg.


Strong field
135 participants from 3 continents and 11 nations lined up at the start. Among them many strong athletes from Poland, Czech Republic and Slowakia. It was an Austrian though, who dominated the race from start to finish. 21-year-old Kevin Maderegger didn't drop a single stage win and put former downhill world cup pro Manuel Gruber into second place. Robert Piekara from Poland took the last step on the podium.


The women's race was a tight battle between defending champion Petra Bernhard and young talent Yana Dobnig. After 24 minutes of race time, they were only separated by 19 seconds. Birgit Braumann was the best of the remaining 13 ladies and finished third.



Successful event
After two years at the Schöckl gondola, the Enduro Gradec moved its center to Lässerhof at Stattegg for the first time. It was a very successful premiere, as spectators enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and riders were stoked about the new horizon of trails.