Enduro World Series Returns to Ireland for 2017

Following the huge success of the Emerald Enduro, the Irish round of the Enduro World Series in 2015 and 2016, the organisers of the global series have announced that Ireland will once again feature as a stop in the pinnacle of Enduro Mountain Biking.

Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture, Andrew Doyle TD said: “It's fantastic to see the event return for the 3rd year in a row, it speaks volumes for the organisation of the event and really places County Wicklow on the world stage as a great mountain biking destination.” Minister Doyle is a long time supporter of the event.

2016 saw an amazing four out of five categories won by Irish riders on what was a spectacular day with crowds of thousands lining the course from top to bottom and the riders gave them a show with Greg Callaghan taking the Pro men victory for the second time.

The new season, the series’ fifth, will feature eight rounds across three continents, with the addition of three completely new and exciting venues as it continues its mission to uncover the world’s best riding destinations.

Reflecting the truly global nature of the series the 2017 season will kick off in March in Rotorua, New Zealand before heading to Tasmania for the first time. A new venue also features for round three as riders will fly to Madeira for some stunning trails on the vertiginous island.

Round 4 sees a return to County Wicklow, for what is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the wildest races on the circuit thanks to the crazy fans who line the tracks in their thousands. This one day race has become an EWS classic and with good reason - the atmosphere can only be described as electric!

Staying in Europe, round five will see the series land in France before hopping across the Atlantic to Aspen Snowmass for round six, followed by a return to the iconic Canadian venue of Whistler. Where else to end the series but on the shores of the Mediterranean in the beautiful Italian town of Finale Ligure with its ever growing network of world class trails, huge crowds and the obligatory swim in the sea for whoever is crowned World Champion at this end of season extravaganza.

Chris Ball, Managing Director of the Enduro World Series, commented: “The venues we’re returning to are included in the calendar because they’re hard to beat; Ireland, Aspen, Finale and Rotorua are all incredible riding locations and I think 2017 is shaping up to be an amazingly exciting and fun year of racing.”

Event organiser Niall Davis of Biking.ie said: “Seeing Ireland compared to the likes of Whistler and Aspen is pretty incredible, we truly rank on the world stage both for trails and for atmosphere. Every year we try to up our game and the crowds that throng the mountain really make the riders feel welcome. 2016 was pretty special and we have big plans for 2017. Third time’s a charm!”

Recreation Manager at Coillte, Daithi de Forge says ‘Mountain biking is a vibrant and exciting sport and Coillte provides many kilometres of fun and challenging trails in forests across the country. The Enduro World Series is the pinnacle of the sport and we're delighted to be able to host the event again in 2017.’