IMBA National Enduro Series launches
The series will have stops in practically all corners of the country.
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) announced its title sponsorship of the six-race IMBA National Enduro Series, which kicks off May 20-21 in Big Cedar, Oklahoma. This new domestic race series will compile results from six rounds across the U.S. and allow riders to compete for a national title. The series provides a domestic points series option for enduro. Here’s the complete schedule
- May 20-21 – Ellsworth O-Rock Epic Enduro in Big Cedar, OK
- May 27 – Big Mountain Enduro Santa Fe in Santa Fe, NM
- June 24-25 – North American Enduro Cup in Kellogg, ID
- July 1-2 – CLIF Enduro East Killington by Vittoria ESC in Killington, VT
- July 23 – USA Cycling Enduro National Championships in Snowshoe, WV
- August 26-27 – Califoria Enduro Series – Northstar Enduro in Truckee, CA
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IMBA says it’s sponsoring a race series in part to foster trail development, and the effort is intended to highlight the trail stewardship that results in the ability to host events on trails. Through trail work and regional partnerships with land managers bike disciplines like enduro are able to thrive.
“We are excited to have IMBA on board as the title sponsor of the inaugural National Enduro Series,” said series organizer Macky Franklin. “IMBA has long been an integral part of the mountain bike scene and we’re looking forward to working with them to promote progressive trail design that speaks to the recent technological advances in mountain biking”
A volunteer trail work day will correspond with each race, and the local IMBA chapter will have a presence at each race venue to educate racers on its advocacy work and involvement with nearby trails.
“A new and different partnership like this is very exciting for us,” added Aimee Ross, IMBA’s Director of Business Development. “IMBA has been the backbone of trail stewardship for nearly three decades, and we look forward to sharing that message with racers who can help shape the next decade for mountain biking.”
Enduro has grown dramatically over the last five years, with more and more local and regional series appearing every year. While North America offers a solid continental series with the North American Enduro Tour, U.S. riders have been lacking a national points series. The goal of the IMBA National Enduro Series is to fill that void and give riders an opportunity to compete against the best racers in the country, while educating a new audience on the values of advocacy and trail stewardship.
The race schedule highlights the best trails and highest paying races in six different U.S. regions. With all six races recognized as Enduro World Series (EWS) Qualifiers, this new series provides a stepping stone for athletes hoping to race at the international level.
Individual promoters will determine courses and rules for each race, while the IMBA National Enduro Series will compile results and award overall titles to EWS categories. The series includes a highly competitive overall series payout of $12,000, with equal payout for Pro Men and Pro Women.
For more information visit nationalenduroseries.com.
On the lookout for a new race bike? Here are Mtbr’s best enduro bikes of 2016.
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