The Enduro World Series, the world cup of enduro sport, if you want to call it that, will start its second season next weekend. With seven races on three different continents, the series not only combines different cultures, but also completely different race formats and track conditions await the drivers.
The EWS 2014 kicks off in Nevados de Chillan, Chile. Chile is still relatively new on the enduro map, but with the Andes Pacifico , a multi-day enduro race, they proved that they don't need to hide behind nations like Italy and France.
The first riders used a local enduro race last weekend to adjust to the weather and surface conditions. Jerome Clementz was again the one to beat. He lived up to his role as a favorite and won ahead of Nicolas Lau. The two quick Frenchmen will certainly be two of the hottest contenders for one of the seven wins. But Jared Graves and Martin Maes will also be hungry this year.
The favorites
Jeromé Clementz – he's the Muhammad Ali of enduro racing. No other rider won more stages last year, so it was no surprise that Clementz had already secured the overall victory at the Enduro of Nations in Val d'Isère, the penultimate round of the 2013 EWS. As in the previous year, the fast Frenchman will be riding a Cannondale. He spent the entire winter testing a new prototype of his favored Jekyll frame, which he will be using with 650B wheels for the first time this year. He proved his mastery of the slightly larger wheels at the Andes Pacifico, which he won.
Jared Graves – Graves is one of the best all-around riders in the world. An Olympic finalist in BMX racing in Beijing in 2008, a 4X World Champion, and an experienced downhill rider, Graves is a serious contender in every discipline. Luck wasn't always on his side in 2013. Nevertheless, he was Clementz's toughest competitor and finished an excellent second at the end of the season. Over the winter, Graves was primarily seen on his XC bike. He secured the Australian XCE Championship title and finished second in the XC. He's entering the new season fitter and hungrier than ever and will certainly dominate the competition on more than one occasion.
Martin Maes – As a junior, Maes competed in the Enduro World Series last season. The young Belgian easily won his category. However, the real sensation was his performance compared to the elite riders. Maes repeatedly finished in the top three among the elite and even secured a stage win. With Dan Atherton from the GT Factory Racing Team, he has a fast and, above all, experienced teammate at his side. Together, they are sure to spring a few surprises.
Fabien Barel – multiple downhill world champion, overall World Cup winner, and a true mountain bike legend. Fabien Barel has been among the fastest riders in the world for many years. And he's also a guarantee of success in enduro. With his opening victory in Punta Ala last year, he proudly represented Canyon. With two third-place finishes and a fourth, he finished third overall.
Nicolas Lau – The diminutive Frenchman from the Cube Action Team is entering the new EWS season highly motivated. Last year didn't quite go his way. While Lau managed some excellent individual results, he lacked the consistency needed to reach the podium. Lau is a force to be reckoned with, especially in Finale Ligure. In 2013, he dominated his competition there, but a time penalty prevented him from making the podium. This year, he seems perfectly prepared. At the first stop of the Bluegrass Enduro Tour, he secured a commanding victory ahead of some of the fastest riders and also finished second behind Clementz in Chile a week ago.
From a German perspective, Petrik Brückner is the rider to watch. The young Thuringian was the fastest German last year and has set his sights high for the new year. However, Max Schumann and Tobias Woggon will be hot on his heels and will give their all to challenge him for the title of Germany's fastest enduro rider .
In the women's field, expect a tough battle between Anne-Carline Chausson and Tracey Moseley. Much like Clementz and Graves, they dominated the women's category, with Moseley finishing better. But Cecil Ravanel and the fast Dutchwoman Anneke Beerten should not be underestimated either. Both have shown good pace several times and should be serious opponents.
The distance
The conditions in Chile are only partially comparable to those in Europe. The climate is much wetter and warmer so some drivers will certainly find it difficult to stay focused. First and foremost, loose ground, volcanic sand and natural trails await the riders.
