Enduro Challenge Madeira 2016

The second stage of Madeira Enduro Championship takes you to the West side of the Pearl of the Atlantic, on some of the most epic trails of Calheta. The first edition of Enduro Challenge was back in 2013 when 26' wheels were still trending and Madeira was still off the radar of European mountain bikers. Since then enduro has been constantly growing in the region with more races and an official race calendar. With this growth comes trail legalization, more athletes, better events and more interest by the official authorities.


Since the first Enduro Challenge, organized by Freeride Madeira, new trails were born, new ways to ride bikes in Calheta, new challenges. After an exhausting and super physical 2015 edition, we decided to modify a couple of stages and remove some of the hardest connections so that riders could enjoy racing in Ponta do Pargo's beautiful mountains.

Back in 2015, Emanuel Pombo killed the competition with a total time of 30:46m, followed by Paulo Batista (32:19m) and Daniel Pombo (33:27m). The women's category was won by Stefanie Klostermeier from Germany, with a time of 45:22m. Dobromir Dobrev won the individual category, Nuno Quintal dominated the Master 30 and Alexandre Rebelo won the Master 40.

Six categories racing, six different color schemes: Women, Individual, Master, Junior, Youth and Elite.

Good morning from paradise. Church bells welcomed all riders to Ponta do Pargo's center square.

João Rodrigues morning preparation.

Paulo Batista had a foot injury early this season - number seven isn't his real ranking position.

Some foreign riders decided to show up and experience the event.

This is the man to beat, Emanuel Pombo. Banana is his dirty little secret.

The fourth edition of Enduro Challenge had about 25km, 1525 meters of descent and 860 meters of ascent. Just one big and steep transition to the top of stage five, Enchurdeiras. The biggest and hardest stage was definitely stage two, Vacas.

"Yes. My race plate finally matches my fork."

It's all about the pressure bro. Duarte Nóbrega helps his 'little' brother, João Nóbrega.

Although the weather at the bottom was sweet and hot, at the top of the mountain all riders faced a really dark race. Fog, wind and rain were a struggle on the first three stages of the day. Once you reached the bottom of stage three the weather stopped playing games and helped get everyone a bit happier than before. All photos are from the last three stages.

Junior athlete, Steven Erens (2nd, Junior), riding the top part of Corujeira trail. Singletracks for miles.

Marco Coelho (4th, Master 40) was always on a good pace but came six seconds outside his category podium.

Nuno Jardim (5th, Master 40) keeping the flow on the flattest part of Corujeira.

YEOOOOOOWWWOOOOW!

Luís Correia got a solid 8th place in the Elite category.

Fábio Vieira (12th, Master 30) keeping everything under control.

Francisco Serrão (9th, Elite) proving that enduro racing is for every biking lover. #gangnamstyle

The track goes on and on and on - Madeira singletracks.

Duarte Medeiros (4th, Elite) getting those pedals turning at the bottom of Corujeira.

Claudio Trindade was exhausted at the end of the race but he was flying on every stage, securing first place in Juniors.

There's still a lot of track to go...

Nuno Quintal, Master 30 current champion, got a second place in his category.

It's hard to beat this man, especially when he's riding his backyard. Emanuel Pombo, number one plate, number one at the finish line.

The real spirit of enduro. MADproductions boys pit stop at the end of stage four.

Sweet Madeira levada transition to stage five. Fábio Ferreira, #teamgordinhos, thumbs up!

Pedro 'Kyo' Luís (4th, Individual) still had power in the end of stage five, Enchurdeiras.

The tracks of Ponta do Pargo are super fast and usually smooth. This guy had the only flat tire of the entire event.

Freeride Madeira crew pick up transfers were a bit chaotic.

Emanuel's race face for the next two stages.

Super fluffy side track... not.

Eleuterio Gomes (10th, Master 40) entering one of the most fun parts of stage five.

Its not just spikes.

Patrick Tinner, from Switzerland, got a 7th place in the Individual category.

No time to lose. Nuno Jardim racing his way to 5th place in Master 40 category.

Short and sweet transition to the start of stage six, Catripo.

Vitor Freitas (2nd, Master 40) was pinning it all day!

Unstoppable - João Davide Sousa Master 40 category winner.

João Nóbrega race skills are improving at each new challenge. He killed the competition by one minute in the Youth category.

Filipe Caldeira (2nd, Individual) six seconds away from the top of the podium.

Sérgio Abreu (4th, Master 30) just wanted to have fun !

Pombo's older brother, Daniel Pombo (1st, Master 30), beast mode in his home track, Catripo.

Tiago Gomes (10th, Elite) at the bottom of stage six.

Rui Sousa (2nd, Elite) finally beating his team mate, Paulo Batista.

Paulo Batista (3rd, Elite) getting back on track after a foot injury. Welcome back boy !

Emanuel Pombo (1st, Elite) riding his way to another podium !

Claudio Trindade (1st, Junior) was all smiles at the end of the race.

Choose your menu: sardines or tuna ?

Master 50 winner, Paulo Sousa - clearly a gymaholic.

The sardine gang.

Jorge Ferreira got hurt on purpose to get a massage... but he was expecting a sexy blonde masseuse.

Lets go up again?!

Results

Elite

1 - Emanuel Pombo (19:19m)
2 - Rui Sousa (21:00m)
3 - Paulo Batista (21:14m)

Junior

1 - Claudio Trindade (25:27m)
2 - Steven Erens (26:55m)

Youth (only four stages)

1 - João Nóbrega (17:27m)
2 - Leonardo Soares (18:28m)
3 - Guilherme Menezes (19:43m)

Women

1 - Nadia Knechtle (32:23m)
2 - Sarah Heilig (33:57)
3 - Andrea Knechtle (34:35m)

Master 30

1 - Daniel Pombo (20:46m)
2 - Nuno Quintal (22:48m)
3 - Duarte Nóbrega (24:02m)

Master 40
1 - João Davide Sousa (25:54m)
2 - Vitor Freitas (26:01m)
3 - Miguel Zacarias (26:43m)

Master 50

1 - Paulo Sousa (25:20m)
2 - Ricardo Gomes (29:33m)
3 - Jaime Afonso (32:48m)

Individual

1 - João Rodrigues (23:10m)
2 - Filipe Caldeira (23:16m)
3 - Martin Oschwald (24:49m)

Check the complete results here.

Race Organizer: Freeride Madeira, Associação Ciclismo Madeira and Clube Caniço Riders
Photos and Words: Antonio Abreu, MADproductions
Sponsors: NOS Madeira, Clube Caniço Riders, Schwalbe, IXS, MZ Bike, Turismo da Madeira, Câmara Municipal da Calheta

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MENTIONS: @schwalbe / @iXSsports / @extremerider

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