| 
| |
| | Emerald Enduro - Newsletter #5 Who's who? | | Ones to watch - Enduro is the newest mountain biking discipline although it is the roots of what MTB is all about - trail riding. As the EWS enters its third year riders are beginging to really suss out the skillsets and fitness levels necessary to be at the top. We are lucky to welcome a staggering level of athlete to Carrick this May and it's time we took a closer look at some of them. | | Ones to watch - Enduro is the newest mountain biking discipline although it is the roots of what MTB is all about - trail riding. As the EWS enters its third year riders are beginging to really suss out the skillsets and fitness levels necessary to be at the top. We are lucky to welcome a staggering level of athlete to Carrick this May and it's time we took a closer look at some of them but first a quick word about Coillte. |
| Coillte Outdoors Welcome Mountain Bikers for EWS | | | |  With just one month to go we would like to thank Coillte for their continued support, without them events like this event simply wouldn't happen in Ireland. Among other things Coillte manage 445,000 hectares of land, or about 7% of the land cover of Ireland, over 1 million acres of which are forests.
Coillte developed the first purpose-built cross-country trails for mountain biking (MTB) in 2007/2008 and continue to add new trails and new sites to this network. These have become the backbone of recreational off-road biking in Ireland and as interest in off-road cycling continues to grow, we have a number of new trails being planned over the next few years.
Our MTB trails range from easy to really challenging trails and anyone with a level of ability on a mountain bike will find something for themselves in these trails. Our aim is to provide authentic and fun trails in different environments and landscapes, appealing to as wide a range of visitors as possible. |
| Jared Graves - 2014 Enduro World Series World Champion | | | | One of the most decorated cyclists in the world, Graves has been at the top end of 4-Cross, BMX and now Enduro with multiple World Championships and even an Olympic Gold medal to his name. 2014 proved to be his year in Enduro as he took the World Title in some style following his runners up spot in 2013. Can the Australian be the first male rider to repeat? Last year Graves arrived straight to a less than sunny Scotland from Australia and struggled to shake off the jetlag and acclimatize to mud riding. For 2015 he is looking to arrive earlier to ensure the best preparation possible after having to sit out the opening round in New Zealand with two separated shoulders. Watch out for him in his trademark Yeti uniform on the Dublin and Wicklow mountains! |
| Jerome Clementz - 2013 Enduro World Champion | | | | The 2013 World Champion took up where he left off at the start of last season with a win in Chile but suffered a freak collar bone fracture shortly afterwards that ruled him out until the final round.  Clementz is a stunning all rouder, who is passionate about all aspects of the sport. Unable to keep away from racing whilst injured he was enthusiastically supporting all the riders in the forrests of Scotland in his sling, chatting to race fans and dispensing wisdom with a trademark wry smile.
2015 has seen a return to form for the Frenchman with a commanding performance in New Zealand in March where he was once again supping champagne from the top step of the podium. No stranger to Ireland, Clementz rode in the Irish Gravity Enduro Series in it's first season in Djouce. Watch out for the Cannondale rider in the woods in advance of the Emerald Enduro, just don't mention Good Friday! |
| Three time former Downhill World Champion Barel is a legend both on and off the bike. A devastating injury at the opening round of the 2014 series in Chile put his whole career at risk when he suffered a broken back. Barel's fitness was key to a successful lengthy rehabilitation but astonishingly he was back on the start line at the final round in Italy late last year where he surprised himself and the world by taking the win. 
Barel is an inspiration, a man who faced adversity with huge strength and not only came out the otherside but showed the world who's boss. Chapeau sir, we are really looking forward to having him on Irish trails this May. 2015 shows that Barel is still firing on all cylinders and on pace with a second place at the opening round. |
| Tracy Moseley - 2 time Enduro World Champion | | | | Another former downhill world champion, Moseley is also now the only two time World Enduro Champion with back to back wins in 2013 and '14 under her belt. 
She is also one of the nicest riders around with an easy smile. Her professionalism on the bike is incredible, she rode rounds of the World Cup cross country season last year in preperation for the Enduro season and of course she is a former World Downhill Champion. Another rider who has ridden in Ireland before, this time at a Ticknock Gravity Enduro, the Trek rider is an amazing ambassador for the sport. With a second place after round 1 in New Zealand this year, watch out for a hard charging Moseley in Wicklow, intent on a hat trick of Enduro World titles. |
| Trying to sum up Anne Caroline Chausson is like trying to describe James Bond as a spy. 13 World Championship Gold medals, an Olympic Gold medal in BMX, the most decorated mountain biker of all time is trying to capture the one title that has eluded her - the Enduro World Champion title. 
At the end of last season she admitted that the Irish round was the least likely to suit her but ACC is a legendary competitor who just doesn't know how not to win. Round 1 this year saw her charge out of the blocks with victory in New Zealand and this clinical rider will be looking for a repeat. Watch out for her in 2015, she has a point to prove. |
| We are currently recruiting for a small army of volunteers to help us guide the racers through their day. We are looking for hardworking, enthusiastic people who are prepared to take on all roles as directed by team leaders.  Volunteers should be at least 16 years old and you do not need any previous experience, you will be clearly guided on what's happening. If you have any specific skills, for example if you speak any foreign languages then let us know. In return we provide a goddie bag including a cool event tee shirt, lunch and snacks throughout the day. The added bonus is you get to rub shoulders with the best riders in the world. | | That's all for this newsletter. We'll be back to you with a similar guide to Irish racers to watch out for on the hill. In the mean time make sure you are following us on Facebook (see link below) for all the up to the minute info on the Chain Reaction Cycles Emerald Enduro.
All Photos copyright Matt Wragg/EWS. | | | |
| |
