The Enduro World Series (EWS) is excited to announce its 2021 calendar – featuring brand new venues, reimagined classics and an expanded EWS-E series.
The season will get underway in New Zealand in March, visiting Nelson for the first time in the series’ history. Situated on the Northern tip of the South Island, this small city is famous for clocking up the most sunshine hours in the country, but also its steep, natural and burly trails.
Round two heads back to the inimitable Derby, Tasmania. This tiny town has embraced mountain biking and in just a few years created one of the most iconic riding destinations in all of Australia. It’ll be the third time the series has visited Derby and with good reason – their ever expanding trail network has twice been voted the Specialized Trail of the Year.
For round three it’s back to one of the UK’s most famous venues, the Tweed Valley in Scotland. After a six year hiatus the series will return to the hallowed trails of Innerleithen and the surrounding hills, which for the last three decades have acted as the proving grounds for some of the biggest names in the sport. The Tweed Valley will also act as the first round of the 2020 EWS-E Series, putting e-bikes through their paces on some of Britain’s most challenging terrain.
The second round of EWS-E will head back to Valberg in France, to take on the region’s infamous grey earth in the Southern Alps.
Val Di Fassa in Italy will play host to EWS round four. This stunning venue nestled high in the Italian Dolomites became an instant rider favourite when it first appeared on the calendar in 2019, featuring long, physical stages amongst some of Europe’s most dramatic terrain.
It’s across the pond to the USA for round six, for the series’ second visit to Burke Mountain in Vermont. Serving up some classic East Coast riding, Burke’s trails will make their EWS debut later this season when they host round six. Famed for its raw and technical terrain, Burke will offer up a challenge to even the most experienced of racers.
And for the first time in the series history, there will be a second USA stop, as round seven heads to the West Coast and one of California’s most talked about mountain bike destinations, Northstar. The resort’s dry and rocky trails pushed riders to the limit when they were featured in the 2019 calendar – and in 2020 they’ll expand the offering to e-bikes to form round three of the EWS-E Series.
The EWS-E then heads back to Europe for the penultimate round in that most dramatic of settings, beneath the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland.
For the final round of the EWS the series will crown its series champions in the sport’s spiritual home of France for the first time. Loudenvielle in the Vallee Du Louron in the South West of the country offers up a slice of classic French enduro – steep and natural trails and of course, some of those infamous French switchbacks.
And whilst the series champions may be decided in France, there’s still one of the largest events of the year to go – the Trophy of Nations in Finale Ligure, Italy. This celebration of the sport sees Industry, Rider and Nation trophies up for grabs at the biggest race of the year, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Italian Riviera. It’s also the location for the final EWS-E round, and where the very first EWS-E Champions will be decided.
“We’re all really excited by the 2021 calendar – it’s a great mix of established and new venues. We’re especially excited to offer two USA rounds for the first time and expand the EWS-E to five rounds.”
Chris Ball, Managing Director Enduro World Series
ABOUT SHIMANO ENDURO TASMANIA
The Shimano Enduro Tasmania was a ground breaking event when it first visited Derby in Tasmania’s North East in early 2017. Helping to create the juggernaut that the Blue Derby project is, both the 2017 and the 2019 return received the highest acclaim winning the Specialized Trail of the Year award.
The Enduro World Series is supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania. Race Director, Ian Harwood from Event Management Solutions Australia has thanked the Tasmanian Government and Events Tasmania for their continued support in showcasing the state to the world.
“Without the support of Events Tasmania, we would not be able to showcase the best riders in the world, taking on the best trails in the world”.
The 2019 edition of Shimano Enduro Tasmania saw in excess of 5000 spectators cheering the riders on. In 2021 the schedule will be expanded into a more inclusive multi day festival with a dedicated EWS Kids event, Ebike events with the Derb-E and an expanded line up of entertainment.