Switzerland’s First E-Bike Enduro Race Scheduled For This Year's Traillove Festival In Zermatt.

The Enduro World Series (EWS) is launching a new international racing format with e-bikes this year. After two years of elaborating the concept and clarifying the technical possibilities, the new racing series will kick off in France in mid-July. As part of the Traillove Festival, a race of the three-part series will take place in Zermatt on August 28, 2020. The final will be held in Italy in late September. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the umbrella organization of national cycling associations, welcomes the new racing format.

Innovation driven

For the official launch of the EWS-E last year, UCI President David Lappartient can be quoted in a communiqué as follows: “The UCI is looking forward to the introduction of an electrically powered enduro series with the introduction of the EWS-E from 2020. Based Based on the experience and know-how of the Enduro World Series, this innovative competition format is introduced and thus offers spectacular races with the highest level of sporting integrity. This new series confirms the current status of E-MTB as a cycling discipline driving innovation.”

Differences

Due to the motor support, there are some differences to the traditional EWS enduro races. The e-bike athletes ride a separate route, which differs from the usual racing terrain by technical gradients and longer distances. On a race day, the drivers conquer around 3,000 meters of altitude and have little time to relax. The goal of the terrain selection is to push the physical limits of the rider and the bicycle handling despite the electrical support.