Mountain Biking News - Enduro World Series comes to the valley!

Over the past 3 years, the Pyrénées Bike Festival has become THE go-to event for mountain biking in the French Pyrénées. Now, the Vallée du Louron, already established in France and Europe for the quality of its mountain bike trails, stunning mountain landscapes and warm local hospitality is preparing to welcome a larger audience this September when it hosts two rounds of the mountain bike World Cup as part of the Enduro World Series (EWS). The event will be centered around the village of Loundenvielle and will be the only EWS event to be held in France during the 2021 season.

The festival will be held from Wednesday 1st September to Sunday 5th September. The professional EWS events will be held on Thursday 2nd September and Sunday 5th September with training sessions on Wednesday September 1st and Saturday September 4th.

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Image credit – Marie Batista

The valley will host 700 to 800 riders from all over the world, 100 journalists, and the EWS rounds will be televised. It will be a demanding event for participants with its rally format, varied terrain and demanding gradients. The Skyvall cable car will be used to take riders up to Peyragudes (the local ski resort and now home to some incredible mountain bike trails).

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Image credit – Marie Batista

However, the Pyrénées Bike Festival intends to stay true to its roots as a welcoming, sociable mountain bike festival set in an incredible mountain location.

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Image credit – SKYPHOTO.FR

There will be children’s events, mountain bike trails for all levels, an electric mountain bike show…

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Image credit – SKYPHOTO.FR

Trial and BMX demonstrations, intros to mountain biking and various activities for all age groups and abilities plus a catering area, concerts, evening mountain bike movies on a giant screen…

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Image credit – SKYPHOTO.FR

So, what are Enduro races?
Enduro is a type of mountain bike racing primarily located in the mountains, where the downhill stages are timed, and the uphill stages are mandatory but not timed. Neutral transfer stages must usually be completed within a time-limit, but are not part of the accumulated time, they can be achieved either on the bike or as is the case for some stages of this event via a cable car or chairlift. Enduro is currently the most popular mountain bike discipline because it combines strong physical abilities plus a high level of different skill sets and technical qualities.

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Image credit – Marie Batista

The Enduro series sets out to challenge competitors with the toughest trails both physically and technically in the world. It is considered one of the most difficult titles to win in the sport of mountain biking. It is an endurance sport, every round of the series and every single challenge counts. Riders and teams have a support network, managing equipment, skills, pace and physical performance to allow them to compete at their best on the toughest trails in the world.

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Image credit – Marie Batista

Pre-qualified riders compete for the ultimate prize, the title of Enduro World Series Champion. However, there are two other events EWS100/EWS80 – These are two challenges where no pre-qualification is required. Riders will race 100% or 80% of the EWS course, with slightly relaxed rules but with all challenges and all races. Registration is open to anyone who wants to take part in this ultimate test of the rider and bike.

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Image credit – Marie Batista

The EWS80 race is designed to be difficult but achievable for everyone. For example, in the EWS80 event you can climb 1600m of an EWS course that sees the pros climb 2000m or you can choose to exclude a stage. The 80% is a symbolic statistic - but it’s still a huge day designed to give you the perfect challenge and experience! The EWS 80 race, as well as the EWS 100, will take place on Saturday September 4th. But if you want to be on the starting line in 2021, you will first have to get one of these coveted places. Entries for EWS100 will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Image Credit – Maria Batista

So, if this has got you itching to dust off your mountain bike or maybe even try the sport for the first time why not get in touch with us and come and stay at the Ancienne Poste. We are perfectly situated for access to some incredible trails as well as many other mountain-based activities plus we have great local knowledge (MTB guides/courses can be organised), superb accommodation and delicious food…it’s quite simply everything you need for the perfect holiday!

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Image Credit – Maria Batista

For more info on the Festival and Enduro go to www.pyreneesbikefestival.com
www.enduroworldseries.com