Racing -

The Big Picture | The UEC European Championship: one day, all seasons

The problem with big mountain races is that you sometimes get big mountain weather! This was certainly the case for the UEC MTB Enduro European Championships today, as trails opened up for the official practice in Kirchberg, Austria. However, the excited racers were not going to let freezing temperatures, rain and even snow dampen their spirits. Over 200 racers braved the elements, and hit the Kirchberg trails to scope out lines in anticipation for tomorrow’s race, all hoping to lay their claim to the title of UEC European Enduro Champion.

Due to the bad weather tonight’s Prologue in town has been cancelled, but the clouds are lifting and tomorrow looks to be a brighter day. Riders will face four tough stages and you can be sure there will be a lot of ‘kit drying’ going on tonight! Before the racing kicks off here is some of the action from practice.

Clouds filled the morning sky, this was going to be a day dominated by the weather
Clouds filled the morning sky, this was going to be a day dominated by the weather
What better way than to start the day with a nice hot coffee - privateer style!
What better way than to start the day with a nice hot coffee – privateer style!
The teak worked on despite the tough weather
The team worked on despite the tough weather
Jerome was opting for the full 'hooded up' style
Jerome was opting for the full ‘hooded up’ style
Everyones favourite mechanic Matteo Nati, knew the trails were going to be slick. Mud tyres were essential
Everyones favourite mechanic Matteo Nati knew the trails were going to be slick. Mud tyres were essential
There is no lonelier place than on a chair lift in the rain!
There is no lonelier place than on a chair lift in the rain!
"Hey, What do you call a wet bear? A drizzly bear " haha
“Hey, what do you call a wet bear? A drizzly bear ” haha
A rider drops into Stage 3 to check out the lines
A rider drops into Stage 3 to check out the lines
The top of Stage 3 rides well in the wet, pure bermy fun
It turns out Stage 3 is awesome in the wet, pure bermy fun
The forecast looks better for tomorrow, but everyone is hoping the tracks stay wet.
The forecast looks better for tomorrow, but everyone is hoping the tracks stay wet.
Flat out under the forest canopy
Flat out under the forest canopy
Cube Action Team rider bullies the bike through some huge roots
Cube Action Team rider Scott Laughland bullies the bike through some huge roots
European Series winner Rob Williamson tries to remember how his fingers work
European Series winner Rob Williams tries to remember how his fingers work
James Shirley dropping in to the Chute of Doom
Radon Rider James Shirley dropping in to the Chute of Doom
Cube UK rider Thomas Mitchell going ballistic in freefall
Cube UK rider Thomas Mitchell going ballistic in freefall
Tyre choice will be everything tomorrow, as frying tracks may bring thick mud
Tyre choice will be everything tomorrow, as drying tracks may bring thick mud
Focus team rider Fabian Scholtz had a big crash in practice and has gone home, team-mate Markus Reiser was looking fast in practice though
Focus team rider Fabian Scholtz had a big crash in practice and has gone home, team-mate Markus Reiser was looking fast in practice though
Despite the mud spirits looked high on the transfers, or perhaps this is a way to avoid spray from the front wheel?
Despite the mud spirits looked high on the transfers, or perhaps this is a way to avoid spray from the front wheel?
So, who brought more than one set of kit?
So, who brought more than one set of kit?
Anneke Beerten was rocking some cool booties....
Anneke Beerten was rocking some cool booties….
...she knows how to ride in the wet
…she knows how to ride in the wet
A cable car took riders to 1800m for the start of Stage 4, a real monster
A cable car took riders to 1800m for the start of Stage 4, a real monster
The thermometer t 1800m said 2 degrees, the snow outside would suggest it was colder
The thermometer at 1800m said 2 degrees, the snow outside would suggest it was colder
So.....racing in the Alps.... in June! Who would have thought it?
So…..racing in the Alps…. in June! Who would have thought it?
Occasionally the clouds would lift and reveal the incredible valley
Occasionally the clouds would lift and reveal the incredible valley below
Riders were in for a real treat when they dropped into Stage 4, a real big mountain special
Riders were in for a real treat when they dropped into Stage 4, a real big mountain special
James Shirley was rocking the new school - old school onsie....
James Shirley was rocking the new school – old school onsie….
...it did not seem to slow him down though
…it did not seem to slow him down though
Will these long stages suit Michal Prokop?
Will these long stages suit Michal Prokop?
Two riders make their way down though the mist
Two riders make their way down though the mist
Time to get hosed off before it all kicks off tomorrow.
Time to get hosed off before it all kicks off tomorrow.
Tomorrow we will have our champion
Tomorrow we will have our champion

Words and photos : Trev Worsey

Back to ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine

Tags