UEC MTB Enduro European Championships

The first Enduro European Championships will be a mud bath

2015 UEC MTB Enduro European Championships take place in Kirchberg, Tyrol, Austria this weekend.

With summer starting officially tomorrow, the weather is not about to be on the sunny side. Today’s mandatory training ended in a mud bath and due to the bad weather conditions the in-city prologue in Kirchberg this evening had to be cancelled.

The rain is pattering against the tent roofs. Mountain bikes are leaning at the side of the parking lots. Brown, coated with a thick dark muddy layer. Exactly as the riders – wet, muddy-coated, but altogether happy and with a smile on their faces. The trails in Kirchberg are outstanding and some riders actually just came here because of the legendary Fleckalmtrail. Even in these bad conditions, every single rider confirms that the trails are fun and that they are looking forward to tomorrow. One of the favorites for the race, Rémy Absalon (FRA), is totally fired up for the race and he definitely wants to be the first ever Enduro European Champion: “These are the first European Championships and it is really cool to be here. I am up here to give my best and to be on the podium. To be the first one ever.” But his fellow countryman Jérome Clémentz and winner of the first 2015 EES stop in Punta Ala Michal Prokop (CZE) will definitely also fight for their chances to be on top of the podium. This is promising a thrilling head-to-head-race.

Also, the women will ride a though race with Anneke Beerten (NED) and Franziska Meyer from Germany leading the way. For the four challenging and strength-sapping race stages some riders wish that the rain will continue and thereby the trail stays wet and will not surface drying and get more slippery. At 9 am Sunday morning the race in the scenic area of Kirchberg starts and at 4 pm the first Enduro European Champions will be honored at the prize giving.

Altogether 198 riders from 18 nations will fight for the title in the muddy stages and will definitely have an exciting race tomorrow, which will go down in sports history and which will be decided on fourth stage at the Fleckalmtrail. Spectators will be able to witness up-close-and-personally all the racers, close enough to offer that essential race-winning encouragement and be a part of the communal energy of crowning the 2015 Enduro Champion.

For more information please visit:
www.europeanenduroseries.com or
https://www.facebook.com/europeanenduroseries

Photos : Manfred Stromberg & Antonio López Ordóñez