It has been a busy winter between the teams with big changes ahead of 2023. After the UCI released its EDR team roster last month, we can take a look at all the market moves including the FANTAmtb Live video with a well-detailed analysis of the favourites.
CALENDAR 2023 ENDURO WORLD CUP
The 2023 Enduro World Cup calendar foresees the start this month with the first 2 stages in Tasmania: 25/26 March and 1/2 April. Then a very long detachment until 3/4 June with the Italian stage of Finale Ligure. Following Leogang, Val di Fassa, Loudenvielle and the grand finale in Les Gets.
Here is an overview of the various teams, with the "TOP PLAYERS" of the circus enduro in red.
Abetone Ancillotti Vittoria Factory Team
Nadine Ellecosta, Tommaso Francardo
An all-Italian team to hope to return to the top places in the world enduro: Nadine Ellecosta and Tommaso Francardo are well supported and eager to do well.
Cannondale Enduro Team
Max Beaupre, Ella Conolly, Iago Garay
Now Ella Conolly will be joined by Iago Garay and Max Beaupre, 2 experienced athletes who will be able to seek placements in the EWS, even if they have not yet shown that they are in the Top10. Ella Conolly, on the other hand, is one of the leading athletes on the female scene: she came 5th in the overall EWS 2022, she won the inaugural stage. If you want to get to know her better, here is a link on his story.
Canyon CLLCTV Factory Enduro Team
Jose Borges, Dimitri Tordo, Jesse Melamed
Canyon makes an almost even trade: out of 1 No. 2021, Jack Moir, and in 1 No. 2022, Jesse Melamed. Alongside Jesse there will be José Borges and Dimitri Tordo, 2 other very talented athletes: the Portuguese Jose Borges, born in 1990, top 30 athlete, and Dimitri Tordo, a very technical athlete who has been permanently in the absolute top 10 for several seasons.
Commencal Enduro Project
Mathieu Ruffray, Alex Rudeau, Guillaume Larbeyou, Louis Jeandel
One of the most solid teams in the circus, just think that in the EWS 2022 3 Commencal athletes finished in the top 20. Rudeau (9th), Jeandel (17th) and Larbeyou (18th).
Devin Global Racing
Georgia Astle, Greg Callaghan, Evan Wall
Devinci Global Racing is ready for another year with confirmations Georgia Astle, Evan Wall and Greg Callaghan. Squamish rider Evan Wall begins his second season with Devinci. He will aim for Top-15 results in EDR races and add some North American events like Whistler Crankworx to his calendar. Greg Callaghan is the tip of the team: Irish national champion is 13th at the 2022 EWS.
Forbidden Synthesis Team
Emmy Lan (U21), Zachary Rebitt (U21), Alex Storr, Rhys Verner
The Forbidden Team adds two new riders for 2023, namely Alex Storr and Rhys Verner. Verner is one to watch: athlete who finished 7th in the overall EWS 2022.
Giant Factory Off-Road Team
Luke Meier-Smith, Remy Meier-Smith (U21), Young Deniaud, McKay Vezina
Team Giant sees some new faces for 2022: Luke Meier-Smith and Remy Meier-Smith will be racing both downhill and enduro. Luke will be in his 1st year among the Elites in enduro, after last year he lapped, on more than one occasion, with the times of the top 10 Elites, despite being U21 (category dominated by him). Even in the DH Cup he surprised, like the 6th place of Andorra at just 20 years old. Youan Deniaud is another name to keep an eye on: 14th EWS 2022, together with Vezina, 24th.
GT Continental Factory Racing
Noga KoremKaty Winton
The new GT-Continental Factory Racing features only two riders for enduro, namely Noga Korem and Katy Winton. We expect some of the athletes currently delegated to DH, like Wyn Masters and Ryan Pinkerton, to do some Enduro racing like last year. Noga Korem (31 years old) was 6th last year in the overall EWS, always in the top 10, so an athlete to keep an eye on. Katy Winton, despite excellent vintages, hasn't shone in the last 2 years.
Lapierre Zipp Collective
Lisandru Bertini (U21), Isabeau Courdurier, Adrien Dailly
The Collective Lapierre Zipp features a very solid three-rider team. Adrien Dailly and Isabeau Courdurier have a chance to win the EWS, with Courdurier defending her overall EWS 2022 title. Isabeau is the woman to beat in 2023 while Adrien Dailly will have to look for more substance in her results.
Nukeproof SRAM Factory Racing
Kelan Grant, Elliot Heap, Corey Watson, Sam Hill (???)
Three-rider lineup for Nukeproof SRAM Factory Racing with Kelan Grant, Elliott Heap and Corey Watson heading into the new World Cup season. Elliot Heap is the star athlete with a solid 22 season that put him 20th overall. Sam Hill is not listed for enduro this year and has done some downhill racing in the off-season. Nukeproof has revealed that Sam Hill wants to focus on DH but doesn't want to rule out enduro. Kinda Richie Rude style, so we'll see later this month he'll be in round one.
Orange Factory Racing
Becky Cook, Christopher Gallagher, Thomas Wilson
Orange have fully revamped their 2023 squad, with only Thomas Wilson remaining from 2022. This year, Becky Cook and Christopher Gallagher are added. Becky Cook finished 12th overall at EWS 2022.
Orbea Fox Enduro Team
Martin Maas, Vid Persak
No changes for the Orbea Fox Enduro Team as Martin Maes and Vid Persak are back for another season. Edgar Carballo Gonzalez and Florencia Espineira are listed for EDR-E but as in 2022, we may see some crossover between disciplines if schedules allow.
Pivot Factory Racing
Morgan Charre, Matthew Walker, Ed Masters
After a very successful 2022 season, the Pivot Factory Racing team is back for 2023 with Morgane Charre and Matthew Walker listed for enduro. Ed Master has been selected for DH, but after a fifth-place overall finish last year, we expect him to compete in some of this year's events when there are no schedule conflicts. Morgane Charre will fight again to conquer the women's EWS. Matthew Walker finished 10th overall at EWS 2022.
Polygon Factory Racing
Jack Menzies, Brady Stone, Mathew Stuttard, Dan Wolfe
The Polygon Factory team keeps Brady Stone, Mathew Stuttard and Dan Wolfe for 2023 by adding Jack Menzies to its roster. Jack Menzies secured several top ten finishes last year and finished 16th overall in his first year in the Elites – one to watch.
Rocky Mountain/Race Face Enduro Team
Lily Boucher, Remi Gauvin, Emmett Hancock Andreane Lanthier-Nadeau
Following Jesse Melemed's move to Canyon, the Rocky Mountain/Race Face Enduro Team has added two new elements with Lily Boucher and Emmett Hancock for the 2023 season. Both Andreane Lanthier Nadeau (8th EWS 2022) and Remi Gauvin (11th EWS 2022) are ready to do well.
Specialized Enduro Team
Francescu Camoin, Estelle Charles, Raphaél Giambi, Kevin Miquel, Charles Murray
The Specialized Enduro team appears to be keeping things the same way as 2023 as all riders return for another year of racing. Although the squad list did not include Sofia Wiedenroth in the lineup, she still appears to be part of the squad. Charles Murray is one to watch: 8th overall in the EWS 2022.
Sunn French Connexion Racing from Alpe D'Huez
Theo Galy, Irénée Menjou, Sophie Riva (U21)
The couple of Theo Galy and Irénée Menjou will be joined by the talented Italian athlete Sophie Riva. Sophie Riva is one to keep an eye on among the U21s, after last year's close victory.
Trek Factory Racing Gravity
Pedro Burns, Harriet Harnden
Pedro Burns and Harriet Harnden will be Trek's official enduro riders. Harriet Hardnen is among the female favorites, after 3rd place in 2022 in the general EWS.
Weride Fulgur Factory Team
Alessandro Maghetti, Melanie Pugin, Franca Rudolph, Mattia Santoro, Mirco Vendemmia, Luca Zenone
A new formation arrives in 2023, namely the Weride Fulgur Factory Team which has gathered some big names such as Florian Nicolai (however engaged in the electric championship) and Melanie Pugin. Pugin is one of the most constant women in the circus, 6th overall in 2022. All eyes are on Mirco Vendemmia, after a dull season last year.
Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team
Bex Baraona, David Jack Brown, JT Fisher, Kate Lawrence, Slawomir Lukasik, Richie Rude
The Yeti / Fox Factory racing team remains largely the same for 2023 but to fill the void left by Kasper Woolley (YT Mob) the team have chosen the consistent Slawomir Lukasik. It's good to see Slawomir get his first factory team after taking an EWS 6th place in 2022 with little support. Bex Baraona will aim for the women's title, after her 4th place last year in the EWS. Richie Rude stated that will snub enduro in favor of DH, will it be true?
YT Mob
Jack Moir, Christian Textor, Kasper Woolley
The YT Mob is back for 2023. For the upcoming season, YT has filled its roster with a lineup of top riders starting with Jack Moir. Alongside him, Christian Textor (19th EWS 2022) and Kasper Woolley.
All other UCI registered EDR teams and riders
Canyon CLLCTV Dainese: Alexandre Cure, Alexis Icardo, Gloria Scarsi (11th EWS 2022)
Cube Action Team: Veronika Brüchle, Jonas Göweil, Nathan Seconds (25th EWS 2022), Hanna Steinthaler, Gustav Wildhaber
Giant Swiss Enduro Team: Lars Henrik Büngen, Benedikt Lasse Eschler, Robin Janser
Ibis Enduro Team: Zakarias Johansen, Cole Lucas (12th EWS 2022), Louise Margareta Paulin, Colton Peterson, Raphaela Richter, Robin Wallner
Live Racing Enduro: Rae Morrison, Isabella Naughton
Raaw // BC.Bike Gravity Team: Christian Derkum, Torben Drach, Jonathan Heitmann, Helen Weber
Radon Enduro Team: Leopold Barich, Max Pfeil
Rossignol Factory Team: Nils Heiniger, Morgane Jonnier
Scott SR Suntour Enduro Team: Emeric Ienzer, Hugo Pigeon
The Gravity Academy: Reid Huelsenbeck, Chloe Mckenzie, Matthew Mitchko, Alden Pate, Jackson Wicklund
Theory Global Enduro Team: Tom Binet, Bailey Christie, Julie Duvert, Carter Krasny
Tribe Pyrenees Gravity: Levy Batista, Clement Charles, Luca Fourcade, Justine Henry, Alizes Lassus, Enzo Perez
