Emerald Enduro - Entries and Teams

Emerald Enduro - Latest News 

We are just over 4 months away from round 2 of the Enduro World Series here in Ireland.  Trail temperatures might be cool but County Wicklow is preparing a warm welcome for riders to the Enduro World Series in May.

In the mean time registration opens on the 28th of January for all categories and there have been a number of changes to these over 2014 that are worth taking a closer look at.  We'll also take a look at some tips and tricks to help you ensure a smooth process when registration opens.

Team Update

For 2015 a record number of teams have pre-registered with the EWS.  29 teams (up from 24) and a host of superstars will be appearing at various rounds of the series.  Hot of the presses we are really excited to confirm that the Flat Pedal Thunder from Down Under Sam Hill is scheduled to race the Chain Reaction Cycles Emerald Enduro, an amazing opportunity to get up close and personal with the Australian shredder.

Of course all the Enduro superstars will be in attendance and vying to take the win.  2014 World Champ Jared Graves will be watching 2013 Champ Jerome Clementz carefully on a course that is likely to suit the Frenchman more than him.  2013 round winners Damien Oton, Nico Lau and Fabien Barel will all be hungry to repeat and threaten for top honours.  Then there are the up and comers.  Specialized's Curtis Keene noticeably improved across the season and Canyons Joe Barnes threatened several times.  Ireland will suit the Scotsmans talents well and he has raced the Gravity Enduro series here several times in the past.  Irishmen Greg Callaghan, now racing for Cube alongside Lau could be in contention along with compatriot Dan Wolfe racing for Vitus and junior Conor Lavelle now racing for Ibis.

The women's field is similarly stacked with a number of riders now threatening the dominance of Tracy Moseley and Anne-Caroline Chausson.  The course is likely to favour two-time World Champ Moseley over Chausson but there are a number of ladies who could threaten, especially this early in the series where results in the opening round in New Zealand will reflect ranking.

New Categories for 2015

For 2015 the Junior category is broadened up to under 21 level for both men and women.  Of course riders are free to enter the Open male and female categories but it is worth having a look for younger riders who are perhaps only getting into racing.  

Also new is the over 40 category for men.  The Enduro World Series believes as a whole in keeping the races open to amateur riders as well as the Pro ranks.  The creation of the over 40s category reflects a huge cohort of older riders who excel.  Expect racing to be tight!

·         WOMEN - Open

·         WOMEN - Under 21 (1998-1995)

·         MEN - Open

·         MEN - Under 21 (1998-1995)

• MEN - 40 plus (1975+)

EWS uses December 31 2015 as the age calculation date. Minimum age 17 (Year of birth 1998). A new rule book has been released on the EWS website with more details.

Registration

In a bid to streamline the registration, the series has been broken down into three groupings, allowing riders to enter separate events in a staged process. Registration for the Chain Reaction Cycles Emerald Enduro opens on Wednesday the 28th of January at 17.00 GMT.  At the same time registration will open for Round 3 in the Tweed Valley in Scotland and round 4 in Samoens, France.

There are a number of things you can do to improve your chances of gaining a spot at the most anticipated event of 2015. 

·         If you are planning on using your phone, download the Eventbrite app in advance and set yourself up.

·         You do not need a 2015 UCI licence or EMBA number to register. You can purchase a one day license at registration if you don't have one. But please do register EMBA, it helps grow our sport!!

·         Notify your credit card company in advance about the transaction.  It most likely won't be held up but you never know!  Last year people lost out for this very reason.

·         Only 1 rider can register at a time.  Your friends will need to register themselves!

There are just 400 spots available for the Chain Reaction Cycles Emerald Enduro, with 225 already reserved for the world's top riders. We know there will be disappointment on registration day but we wish the best of luck to everyone entering.