Is that the finalised calender, got to admit disappointed the Aspen and Rotarua events haven’t been replaced with events in the same areas. Good to see 2 South American events again though.

I wonder if it just becomes too expensive for the teams to make it a really geographically spread out calendar. Just due to the nature of the event I don’t think they can really televise it in the way they can the downhill and xc, so it becomes difficult for the factory teams to get the exposure they need to cover the costs.

Oooh September in Spain sounds nice !

Gutted there’s no Ireland round. Had my sights on that next year 🙁

IIRC Tweedlove stopped bidding to host after getting a couple of them, because all the takings were going to pay the EWS. They said they felt they’d raised their profile sufficiently.

Maybe Ireland is following the same thinking?

I don’t know about the money going to the EWS bit but I did talk to Neil Dalgleish after the 2015 Tweedlove EWS and asked him if it was coming back next year. He said funding was the main issue. Entry fees didn’t cover costs and they needed to top up with funding, and securing the funding was a real challenge

Good point Bob, it’s got to be municipal funding that makes it possible for many places to host the EWS.

It’d be good to see another UK venue give one a go, maybe Dyfi or Dunkeld? Grizedale even.

Grizedale would be the dream, not really likely I know. If only because I don’t think the LDNPA or Cumbria CC would prioritise attracting more riders of the enduro variety.

Incidentally, it might get a bit easier to put races on in Wales in the not-too-distant future, as the Welsh Gov is seriously considering fixing the daft law about racing on bridleways.

Interesting, that’s potentially 5 I could aim for next year, all the Euro rounds & Whistler would be great 🙂

In theory there’s a pure lottery allocation, but the actual number spaces must be very low. I was easily able to get a spot in 2014 and 2015 but no chance since then. I suspect now there are so many pros plus those getting spaces via the qualification routes that true lottery places are like hens teeth.

So yes, you can try and enter without any qualification points, race wins etc, but the chances of getting a spot are very very low

Speaking of coverage – what are peoples thoughts on the coverage this year. I think I much preferred the format and presenter last year, plus the highlights were 10mins longer. The previous rounds coverage was good but the recent one from Aspen I found quite boring and not a lot of riding in it. Maybe its just me?

I agree the coverage has taken a backwards step this year, I think tmo will be fine given a bit more time, hard to think of anyone with more knowledge than she has. Cunningham wasn’t really a charasmatic force either, hew did ok but not great.

It also seems to be slower to any platform other than pinkbike, which IMO is a mistake.

Do they still make vids Ton?

That’s what caoca tea is for !

My wife got laid low with altitude sickness, thankfully Peruvian chemists will dispense anything

Guy we were staying with was an experienced climber at altitude, waay fitter than us was laid too low to hike, even with the meds + cocoa tea.

It can be very tough up high!