Enduro World Series (but not EWS) 2023

Yeah it's an incredibly tough one to televise/show. But i'm with you, the pre-race build up has been weak. But no-where other than Pinkbike is ever going to show much.

It's a proper-5hit-show though if you ask me, from their website which i still haven't found a way to enter the boy into EWS80 (but we can't make any dates now anyway), to their coverage which is massively lacking. Things like a course preview, a track-walk, anything really ... I just don't get it.

It is a bit odd considering all of the fanfares about all of the MTB events being under one roof now. Nowt on GCN+ or the new GMBN Racing YT channel and the only rider stuff I've seen was a couple of Moi Moi TV clips.

I reckon ESO (organisers) are so shit-scared of ****ing up the DH that they've got all their attention on that and have totally dropped the ball on enduro.

As for the media, they try to give us what we want - and they probably realise we're not that fussed on following EWS/EDR live.

Shame as the racing should be the best ever. I think we'll see a two-way tussle in the women's with Courdurier vs Harnden, and if Rude, Moir, Maes and Melamed are all on form the men's could be almost as unpredictable as the DH is these days.

A point someone raised with the Downhill/Xc lack of pre-race coverage is that its very hard to hype up something via video when you dont have any existing content.

For enduro they do at least own the previous years footage, but we are starting at a new venue.

Aren't they all 1 day races now? so practise saturday (Tasmania time) and race sunday.

The format means we wont get live coverage, just a highlights show. To be optimistic that means static cameras interspliced with helmet cam and maybe drone footage from key aspects of the top riders' race runs. So anything good to watch, I wouldnt expect until sunday night.

Previous comments seem to have been very focussed on a live stream, but like most comments above, I'd much rather a proper highlights package than a live stream. Live timing that works would be nice though.

Aren’t they all 1 day races now? so practise saturday (Tasmania time) and race sunday.

Yup. Maybe we'll get some course preview stuff Friday / Saturday. They've also scrapped the shake-down day which seems a bit odd as it was pretty much a media opportunity day.

Previous comments seem to have been very focussed on a live stream, but like most comments above, I’d much rather a proper highlights package than a live stream.

I'd be mostly happy with the preview and highlights packages from before GMBN etc. took it on.

There's just no buzz about it right now... almost like it's embargoed!

There’s just no buzz about it right now… almost like it’s embargoed!

Crazy isn't it. Especially since they're in Tasmania you'd have thought all of the riders have been there well in advance. So many opportunities to build hype.

Still don't know if Sam Hill is racing. Don't think I've seen anything official regarding Troy Brosnan. Two of the biggest names on the sport, just seems like constant missed opportunities to build the sport.

They’ve also scrapped the shake-down day which seems a bit odd as it was pretty much a media opportunity day

That surprised me, even moreso seeing as this is the season's curtain raiser.
Maydena bikepark's insta account has some of the best content, but they need to put the track previews in landscape, dammit! Hopefully the official track previews come online tonight, they usually popped up on Wednesdays or Thursdays if my memory serves me well. Moimoi TV, as always is good; Texi and Jack's role reversal bike check is gold.
As well as Brosnan (he's on the start list along with Conor Fearon, no Hill alas) it'll be interesting to see how Vali Höll places.
Pinkbike seems to have focused solely on Crankworx this week, they're better get on the case for race day. The lack of fantasy league has me triggered like a BTL kid pouring scorn on the UCI.

There's normally plenty of coverage/highlights etc on the official YouTube channel

It's so far under the radar that Pinkbike haven't even bothered with a fantasy league for this year!

I agree it’s all very quiet especially for the branch of the sort that probably has one of the stronger links to sales. For so the fanfare and hype eso created when they got the contract it feels like a damp squib so far

Season preview just popped up on my YT feed (GMBN Racing channel) including details of the coverage.. must've been listening to us!?

If they're still letting Sven eff and blind his way down the trails, I'm happy.

I think it lost its way a while ago . When it started I remember looking at the pinkbike photo epics of massive days in places like Chile and Argentina and thinking how cool it was . Every round seemed to have a different format , like the french rounds that had one practice run then straight into racing then the massive whistler days , it was all fresh and whilst the riding was based on what normal riders did on normal bikes these were the best riders in the world doing massive days out in adventurous places . It all seems a bit tame now , a day of practice followed by a days rest then 5 stages just seems a bit easy 🤔

I still follow it pretty closely , I like to ride that style of riding and am a bit of a geek so like to see all the new bikes and kit but I think it's lost sight of what made it fun in the first place

I reckon ESO (organisers) are so shit-scared of **** up the DH that they’ve got all their attention on that and have totally dropped the ball on enduro.

I hope this isn't true but I reckon it might be pretty close

Hoping Elliot Heap has more success this year, decent lad both on/off bike and a local-ish rider too.
Be nice if it was easier to catch up on the race shenanigans this year, lost interest very quickly.

Clash weekend with crankworx is a risk though.

Some content filtering through to Youtube. Moir's managed to get 3 videos out already, he really is an example of how to build and engage a fan base.

I think it lost its way a while ago . When it started I remember looking at the pinkbike photo epics of massive days in places like Chile and Argentina and thinking how cool it was . Every round seemed to have a different format , like the french rounds that had one practice run then straight into racing then the massive whistler days , it was all fresh and whilst the riding was based on what normal riders did on normal bikes these were the best riders in the world doing massive days out in adventurous places

I agree. I thought it was great they mixed multi day big mountain epics with one dayers in Innerleithen or Carrick. The format suited the venues, and the venues were varied and interesting.

I understand the reasons behind standardising formats, but if the coverage doesn't improve, so what's the point?

Dan Booker will be one to watch this weekend. I'm pretty sure he worked at Madeyna Bike Park and caught Sam Hill's eye riding there which is how he ended up on Nukeproof

Every round seemed to have a different format , like the french rounds that had one practice run then straight into racing then the massive whistler days , it was all fresh and whilst the riding was based on what normal riders did on normal bikes these were the best riders in the world doing massive days out in adventurous places . It all seems a bit tame now , a day of practice followed by a days rest then 5 stages just seems a bit easy 🤔

yeah I liked the idea of the original ones too. every venue putting on their local riding made for some big variations.

shame that it has standardised on a single format, although I can see why from an organiser/media point of view.

its annoying that the arms race has kind of turned it into multi stage DH racing but long term I wishfully hope that XC steps up to fill that gap.

Hoping Elliot Heap has more success this year, decent lad both on/off bike and a local-ish rider too.

He's very very local to me.
It does seem a bit bad that MoiMoiTV has put up more videos than the official channels.

I too am hoping for a bit better coverage.

I too am hoping for a bit better coverage.

I wouldn't bank on it though, at least for this year. I'm guessing that they'll put out the usual rushed highlights packages with a small crew and a tight budget. On top of that they'll drop in some gmbn stuff, which never seems to work, putting it kindly.

Some good points made. I agree that it's flown under the radar - only Pinkbike seems to show any interest - and that's not good enough. The sport will need the wider cycling media to come on board, otherwise, it's a waste of time. How that happens, I don't know, as currently as the cycle racing media is most definitely road biased.

And as said above, they could have done far more in the run up to the first round; far more video releases, introducing the riders, the format of Enduro....

Which is my next point; it's nice (and preferable) having different formats, but as we've seen with rallying/WRC, or EnduroGP in motorbikes, they have a standardised format, so everyone knows what happens over a weekend.

My concern is far too much change at once.....time will tell whether it was the right thing to do.

Maybe the STW staff could lead the way with it 🙂

EnduroGP in motorbikes, they have a standardised format, so everyone knows what happens over a weekend.

If that was supposed to be MotoGP then no... not really as they've changed it all with 'sprint' races on the Sat now 😀

No... EnduroGP is right.

They have previously tried to copy rally with the standardised format and Pro (aka prologue) and Queen stages

Yes, EnduroGP, formerly known as WEC, EWC....the 2 Wheeled version of rallying.

https://www.endurogp.com/

I reckon they've bitten off more than they can chew (ESO)

Going from running the EWS to taking over the DH world cup in the same year you're also running the world champs here in Scotland

That's a huge step up, and I imagine there's frantic work going on to ensure the world champs go smoothly, and the EWS is taking a back seat, hence the lack of improved coverage on Discovery, GCN etc. Everything seems to be on Youtube and actually feels less in depth than last year

They have previously tried to copy rally

Been thinking the same- WRC went from the glory days of week long epics to a standardised and much shorter format, and that pretty much killed it off.

Single day enduros are fine for a local event, but at Worlds level there should be way more race time.

Looks like EWS-E has been quietly dropped as a concept as well..

I'm not sure they're running the World Champs in Scotland, that's normally completely separate. However, running 3 different series (EWS, DHI, XC) is a big job, and I'm trying to think of another Promoter/ organiser who does something similar.

As I've already said, they're changing too much at the same time.....You would have thought to simply change the broadcasting in year one, then look at the calendar afterwards, and then make changes to formats, etc

It just looks like they want a completely 'new broom' right away; and the Red Bull era is history.

They're running the XCO & XCM world championships at least. They should be running the scottish enduro series as well but they seem to have just forgotten that completely.

Is this video any good? I'll have to watch it when I'm not 'working'

They should be running the scottish enduro series as well but they seem to have just forgotten that completely.

Scottish Series are still on their Christmas holidays, it appears:

**Our office is currently closed for the Festive period until the 9th January**

Thanks for reaching out to the Scottish Enduro Series.
We have received your message and will be back in touch as soon as possible.

Tim Eaton could be good to watch. Won the national Enduro title I think.

Luke Meier Smith aka The Meier of Maydena

Dan Booker did indeed work on the tracks so must be a good chance.

I rode there a few years ago in atrocious conditions… was hectic.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/pinkbike-primer-everything-you-need-to-know-ahead-of-the-first-enduro-world-cup.html

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/video-raw-practice-footage-from-the-maydena-enduro-world-cup-2023.html

Decent preview finally dropped

Decent preview finally dropped

Shame they seem to have dropped the Ric 'normal Joe' McLaughlin bit from the previews - it gave a better indication of quite how tough and technical the tracks really are.

The re-seeding for the final stage sounds good.. let's hope the live timing is up to scratch so you can see it play out.

I just can’t stand Ric McL’s commentary style. To the point where I just stopped watching the highlight shows last year.
So many
Un

Necessary

Pauses

Between

Words.

Like his script is too short
And he’s got to
Drag out the

Last

Words

Of

Every

Sentence .

Does my head

In.

The tracks look mint, I'd love to ride there. I won't even bother checking the price of flights because I don't have a spare 9 grand.

price of flights

Had to look didn't I?
Return from Edinburgh to Hobart, £1597. Bargain. 35hrs outbound and 43hrs back doesn't tempt me so much though

SPOILER ALERT!!!!!

Dammit where's my fantasy league....

I always think a fully fit Rude is the man to beat, and with significant changes in his nearest rivals, he’s my favourite for 2023... I wouldn’t be surprised to see some people in damage limitation mode for the first two rounds before targeting the latter rounds... I think Courdurier will lead the way again, but I’m excited to see how the Brits go... I think Luke Meier Smith moves up from u21, if so I think he’ll be straight into the mix for top 5s...Dan Booker will be one to watch this weekend.

Looks like a great race though, multiple stage winners and some outsiders putting in top results.

Good race, pretty tight at the top end of all fields.
Great to see local riders Sascha Kim & Dan Booker on the podium.

I'm interested in seeing what Katy Winton can do this season. Had a tough couple of seasons but now on a team ride and looking like she has her head back in the game if you believe her socials, really like her riding and hope she can get back to where she was. I guess the challenge is if the others have stepped it up while she has been off her game.

Now I need to find out how to watch it, not feeling confident after reading the previous page of comments.

If I was trying to avoid the results I’d be very pissed off that every official feed ad I’ve seen contains the results spoiler.
Doesn’t bode well for the DH which I really do try to avoid spoiling before watching. It’s a minor thing but I do like it when broadcasters try to avoid the big spoiler.

Short and full highlights will be on new GMBN racing channel, free to watch according yo this: