Cycling: The grand finale of the ENduro World Series will take place next weekend. As in the previous year, the end of the season is celebrated in the Enduromekka Finale Ligure in Italy and we are back in the fatherland of the sport.
Finale Ligure has long been known to mountain bikers. The small, picturesque town on the Mediterranean is home to some of the best enduro trails in Europe and has made a name for itself with the Superenduro series. The Enduro World Series came to a close here last year and celebrated Jerome Clementz as the winner of the first EWS.
Clementz was out for the remainder of the season after suffering an injury in early summer. However, he is back for the finale and will make it difficult for Jared Graves, who leads the series by a large margin, to end the season with a win.
The format in Finale Ligure differs enormously from the previous ones. There are no lifts or shuttles here, so the riders have to cover the entire route on their own. This year, six completely new trails await the riders, which are divided over a distance of 95 kilometers. Within two days, six stages, 95 kilometers and 2300 meters of altitude will demand everything from the drivers.
The first transfer leads the field to the San Bernardino, where the race for the trophy started in 2013. The San Bernardino is known for its flowing trails, but there are many narrow and technical passages that will make life difficult for the riders. After the first 2,5km trail, riders will make their way to Feglino via a long and steep transfer. The start of the second stage awaits you at the San Rocco Church, which begins with a long pedal section and leads the riders into rocky, blocked sections.
[iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/77409904?color=ffffff" width="620″ height="349″ iframe]Before starting the third stage, there is the opportunity to stop at the paddock and, if necessary, to reposition the material. Stage three takes the drivers up the San Bernardino once again. The end of the first day offers one of the most breathtaking scenery in the region. The "Men DH" is waiting in Varigotti. which offers a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea and the coast. But that will offer little consolation to drivers. Because after three stages, everything is demanded of you here with steep, slippery sections.
Day two starts with the longest climb of the race up to the Pian dei Corsi, which will already be familiar to most riders with the trails of the NATO base. The last trail is the Great Groppo drive. With six different zones, it is the longest trail in Finale Ligure's enduro history and will stretch over 20 minutes of riding time.