Punta Ala, Italy Hosts First Race of Inaugural Enduro World Series, May 18-19 3

That's it - it's almost here. The excitement over the Enduro World Series has been growing steadily ever since it was announced in late 2012 - and now here we are, the first race in the series about to take place. Things are about to get serious, and we'll soon find out who has been putting in the winter training, and who might be in for a rude awakening. Bring on the racing!

9am GMT, May 8, 2013, Edinburgh, UK - Over 500 riders from almost every nation will set up camp in the outdoor paddock at Punta Ala beachside resort, in Maremma on the southern tip of Tuscany, over the weekend of May 18 and 19, to take part in the first race of the seven-stop inaugural Enduro World Series.

The 62 km course will offer 1600 vertical metres of climbing over five to six hours of riding with a total of 20 minutes of racing. Oh, and excellent coffee to start the day. And wine to finish it. It is Italy, after all.

Says race organiser, SuperEnduro founder Enrico Guala, of the ‘over-sold-out’ event, “On top of the 100 EWS riders there are the best 20 riders from the most developed enduro ‘nations’ and a lot of ‘not so well known’ riders who could surprise everybody.”

That surprise factor is what excites Enduro World Series Managing Director Chris Ball the most. “This is the first time ever that the experienced enduro specialists like Clementz go head-to-head with top World Cup legends and it’s the first time in many years that Nico will race against Peaty, Minnaar, Barel. It's a meeting of minds and clashing of titans! There’s no telling how this is going to pan out.”

Five stages plus a downtown ‘prologue’ will showcase the best trails of the region, from the cobblestoned passageways of the medieval town citadel, to the singletrack of the surrounding cork and pine forests, through dense scrub and rolling hills down to a strip of golden sand on the Mediterranean.

Predicts Guala, “The first part of the course has stages more suited to the skilful rider, while the second part suits the more powerful rider.  Race strategy, ‘clean’ riding, energy management and tactics will be the winning mix.”

In addition, Stage 3 of the race, "Rock-Oh", is a Red Bull Time Rush stage, offering an added dose of excitement for both the riders and the public.

Says Guala, “It's both a privilege and pressure to be kicking off the Enduro World Series. We have been running Superenduro for 6 years and we feel ready for the #EWS1. When I look back at 2007, the day that my partner, Franco Monchiero, (Superenduro inventor and Race Director), called me with the idea, it seems like it was just last week. The last 7 months of my life, since Chris Ball, Fred Glo and Darren Kinnaird and I started to talk about organising this World Series, have been super exciting and the support of riders, industry, venue and teams has been incredible. 2013 is absolutely the ‘game changer’ year for the riders who have been competing in different ‘enduro’ events in the last few years. They can now count on a global series that brings them all together for the chance to be crowned Enduro World Champion.”

From Punta Ala, the Enduro World Series will move to the French Alps, Whistler, Canada, and Colorado, USA, before returning to Finale Ligure, Italy, October 19-20 for seventh and final leg of the series and the crowning of the inaugural Enduro World Champion.

Says Guala, “The seven stops of the Enduro World Series represent the efforts of many people who have been working at different levels to create events that are focused on riders and the pleasure of riding the best venues and the best trails in the world. The first Enduro World Series is a great step for us all.”

Course Map, Punta Ala Enduro World Series Event

About the Enduro World Series

The Enduro World Series was created in October 2012 with the aim of uniting the world's mountain bike Enduro racing community. The Enduro World Series links the largest mountain bike Enduro events in the world with the best trails possible and exists to deliver the best racing, most relaxed atmosphere and rider-focused organization possible. The team behind the Enduro World Series has one goal - to globally develop and progress the discipline of Enduro for the riders, the sport and the industry. With the shared experience of Italian Super Enduro, French Enduro Series, Crankworx and World Cup racing, the Enduro World Series will offer international competitions unlike any before it.

The Enduro Mountain Bike Association’s (EMBA) Board of Directors is supported by an industry Advisory Board, to reflect and respond to the riding community, that includes Santa Cruz Bicycles’ Rob Roskopp, SRAM’s Jeremiah Boobar, Fox Shox’ Mark Fitzsimmons and riders Tracy Moseley, Jerome Clementz and Curtis Keene.

For more information, follow the Enduro World Series on facebook: www.facebook.com/EnduroWorldSeries or email Chris Ball, Managing Director:chris@enduroworldseries.com