PDF - 365mountainbike Jan / Feb 2014 | # 24-25
The first meetings and the first meetings to try to understand if and how the Superenduro project could have taken shape date back to winter 2007.
GOLDEN BOARD by fantamtb
Hosting the group of aspiring organizers was the Tutto Mountain Bike meeting room in Milan. We fantasized about the possibilities, but step by step everything took shape until we reached the first race calendar. At that time, enduro was not yet the commercial phenomenon it is today worldwide. It was just an idea, even if its potential could be sensed. And in a flash the day of the first race arrived. It was 2008 in San Romolo! An arch, a gazebo, timekeepers and a rather bare stage. The first podium composed by Simone Lanteri of xc derivation, the Frenchman François Dola and the downhill skier Davide Sottocornola, seen with today's eyes, anticipated what is now clear to everyone and that is that to win you must have the breath of a cross-country skier, the technique of a downhill skier, but above all that a well-organized circuit also manages to involve runners from other countries. The sponsors arrived, at each Pro race the expo area became bigger and bigger and the number of members had to be limited to allow the timekeepers to correctly record the times.
The courses have also evolved accordingly, becoming more and more technical and selective, worthy of a World Cup test. From a national circuit to become a Challenge of international interest, the step was short, although certainly not easy. Then the world consecration with the inclusion of two stages from the Enduro World Series which required direct intervention also in the organization of the other stages to the two men who invented the Italian Enduro, a recognition that repays the professionalism and commitment profuse over many years of intense work. On New Year's Eve, the new 2014 calendar was presented, which sees a new type of competitions, the Experience, which have the role of acting as a gateway to those who want to approach the discipline and then move up in category with the Pros up to get to the tests of EWS, the MotoGP of mountain biking. So the Sprint tests disappear which, despite the organizers' commitment, differed too little from the Pros. But what else awaits us for next season? Let us tell you directly from the protagonists of the interview that we publish exclusively below
HOW WAS IT BORN IF?
Frank Monchiero
As a young man I have always been a competitive cyclist and for some years I have participated in races of any cycling discipline, but if I had to desire a race format ideal for my way of interpreting MTB, I would certainly have wanted races similar to those we organize today. I have done Cross Country, but the technical aspect of riding did not always make the difference, in this discipline I would say that the fundamental components are physical power and aerobic skills, even if obviously the technical aspect must not be underestimated, but in the end the difference is made by the legs. I have done Downhill, which I liked very much because the skill and dexterity in riding the bike emerged. Obviously those who practice this discipline and want to obtain good results cannot underestimate a good physical preparation, but surely this element is less fundamental. If I have to analyze what was my almost frustration in participating in DH races, it was the fact that I spent several days reconnoitering the route and the race, but basically everything was decided in a few minutes, with endless dead times where I did nothing but accumulate tension.
Of course, this is my point of view and not everyone has to share it. So, as has often happened in my life, I have built something to measure. Seriously, I believe that the enduro as we thought it here in Italy a few years ago, is really something that combines all the important features for a biker. Skilled driving techniques, ability to know how to manage them for many hours, physical strength, but also high endurance, in short, in the Superenduro nothing can be neglected! That said, those who do not know our discipline well might think that you have to be practically super-trained Martians, instead the paradox and therefore perhaps the most beautiful thing is that you can approach our competitions without having a super exceptional preparation, in these years I have seen a lot of people participate in one of our tests for the first time in their life without ever having participated in any other competition and probably with minimal training. Obviously there are different ways of interpretation, those who aspire to achieve important results must certainly prepare well, but you can do a Superenduro race just to have fun.
As I have been saying for some time, SE brings together a very wide range of bikers in terms of characteristics and technical skills, like no other cycling specialty can do. The key people were certainly those with whom I first talked about this project of mine and they were: Enrico Guala who the first time told me to go AFF… .. because I was crazy and he didn't have time! Then I talked about it with the editorial team of Tutto-MTB who listened to me and more, together we went back to Enrico and this time we managed to convince him! Speaking of which…. Dear Enrico, now I can tell you, you are a great piece of m…. since at the beginning you didn't believe in me !!! Joking aside, I have to thank Enrico because he has always supported my vision and by exploiting his talents as a communicator, he has been able to spread the philosophy of the SE to the world!
Then I can't remember and thank everyone and I name them in chronological order:
- Enrico Pizzorni of Acqui Terme, who in addition to being an organizer, was one of the first to share this way of interpreting MTB with me.
- Mauro Rosso e Daniel Vigliero di Piero, also among the first to believe in this madness of mine, organizing together one of the first experimental competitions (with that of Cartosio)
- The Tireless Cip, Luciano and Beppe without which nothing could be done! The only difficulty is getting them enough food to have the energy to work.
- Simon Cittati who taught us the art of communication!
- Laura and Alberto, which have become the soul, arms and legs of our press office.
- Matthew Cappe, which with its WONDERFUL images told the Superenduro.
- Matt Wragg, which told Superenduro to the world.
- Stefano Bertuccioli, the wild card of communication divided between press releases and photos.
- all local organizations, clubs, Biker communities that in recent years have hosted both Pro and Sprint SE stages, preparing, with great effort, sacrifices and dedication, the best possible routes and a great welcome.
- Last but not least the riders who are the real engine of the SE who with their advice, suggestions and criticisms have encouraged us and continue to push us to do better and better.
Henry Guala
I don't have much to add to all of those mentioned by Franco. If not to say that he did well to piss me off to do the SE with him. Franco is the real engine of the SE even if his determined character but at the same time shy and reserved, until now they have kept him more in the "shadow" compared to the world media. If today the enduro has reached the level that we all know, a good part of the credit goes to our race director and obviously also to the entire staff, who was able to organize and disseminate the SE “vision” globally. I feel really lucky to work with such a special group of people. I remember Priero's first time, I had just broken a vertebra and an arm with the Freeride bike, but I was able to get carried away to "be there". The year after Franco and I started the first competitor at the first SS in San Romolo. What an emotion.
HOW WAS THE EVOLUTION OF THE SUPERENDURO AND MORE GENERALLY OF THE ENDURO IN THESE 6 YEARS?
Henry Guala
Basically it has become a sport, a discipline of MTB. From how it started to date there have been enormous evolutions both in the means and in the riding techniques and preparation of the riders. Like all disciplines, the maturation process has increased the gap between top riders and enthusiasts who try enduro for the first time. For this we need an evolution of the competitions just as it happened for DH and XC.
WHO WERE THE SPONSORS THAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE?
Henry Guala
All of SE's partners have been incredible over the years. Each in its own way has given support to the development of the discipline and its growth. Even making specific products and improving existing ones. But the real difference was made by those who did not participate. Those who benefit from the development work of the discipline without investing in the circuit or in the riders. Those who talk nonsense about Enduro without ever having seen or run a PS. The SE is a work platform, a sort of ever-evolving laboratory that needs the support of the industry to be able to improve the services and experience of the riders. Here I would like the companies not yet involved to make an effort to give their contribution and make sure that this varied world can still develop and make as many people as possible have fun on MTB.
ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH WHERE SUPERENDURO GET TO TODAY? HAS ITS EVOLUTION MIRRORED YOUR EXPECTATIONS? FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE?
Henry Guala
It's hard to say if it's better or worse. There are some things we like and others that do not satisfy us at all. For this reason, after the Final we stopped to reflect. Much. Even thinking about whether to go on or not. To abandon the "guide" of the discipline. The moods at the end of the season and after such a "strong" event as Finale were mixed. Criticisms of various kinds emerged that we have listened to and on which we have reflected. Some are well founded and just, others less so, others not. On these we based the analysis and design work of 2014 until we rediscovered enthusiasm and motivation, putting the roots of the SE at the center of thought.
WHAT ROLE HAVE THE BIKER PRO HAD?
Henry Guala
If I look back I discover that the Superenduro riders have become PRO with the evolution of the circuit itself. A path inextricably linked to the work of communication that has allowed the winning drivers, and not only, to make themselves known by companies and vice versa. Who remembers the first Superenduro in San Romolo? The best known riders were the local cross country riders of good level, I remember that Simone Lanteri who came from Team Bianchi XC won. Franco Monchiero Over the years Davide, Marco, Andrea, Vittorio, Alex, Manuel, Maria Federica, Marianna, Chiara, Valentina, Laura and those who are considered top riders have become an integral part of SE. For a couple of years we have also had a drivers committee which is something we definitely want to reintroduce in the future.
WHICH ARE THE LOCATIONS THAT MOST AFFECTED IF?
Henry Guala
Here I really can't answer. I believe that the success of the SE comes from the differences between the different races and locations. Take Sauze and Finale Ligure or Coggiola and Madesimo. Each location has its own characteristics and adapts to one style of rider rather than the other. This question would be best asked to the over 4.000 riders who have done the SE.
WHICH LOCATIONS WERE NOT INVOLVED BUT WITH THEIR PRESENCE IN THE CIRCUIT THEY COULD HAVE CHANGED THINGS?
Frank Monchiero
Today we miss the islands and the south to complete the presentation of our beautiful Italy In MTB. Some places also important for MTB have tried to enter but we stopped in front of the impossibility of offering real Superenduro routes that can satisfy our riders. We did not want to compromise and even if we have perhaps lost some opportunities, that's okay.
HOW EMAIL THE EAST AND SOUTH HAD MORE FATIGUE, WHILE THE WEST HAS BEEN MORE RECEPTIVE?
Henry Guala
I think it's a matter of Gravity mtb culture. It was the same for the dh too. Then perhaps there is a certain mistrust on the part of the east while for the center-south I believe that we will have a good development not too far away, thanks also to the commitment and involvement of the organizers, teams and shops that in Superenduro have believed and contributed to make it grow in their regions.
WHAT PROSPECTS ARE THERE FOR THIS DISCIPLINE. WILL IT SUPPORT OR REPLACE OTHER WAYS OF INTERPRETING MTB?
Henry Guala
Tile. Absolutely. Also taking users from both xc and dh, but at the same time making new followers. As Franco said, the beauty of an enduro is that you can do it too if you are not too trained (they obviously refer to me, Francesco Marzari, who am doing the inter view…). The fact that one of the two moments of the race, the transfer, is not timed and that the other, the special, is accessible to those who know how to ride a bike without being Clementz, makes the approach to the discipline much easier. compared to all other mtb disciplines. At the same time, the bike to be able to face an enduro, without ambitions of absolute classification, may not be as specialized as an xc or dh, leaving room for a large number of bikers to try.
WHAT WILL SUPERENDURO DO TOMORROW? WILL YOU TRY TO OVERCOME ITSELF ONCE AGAIN IN ORGANIZING INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT EVENTS?
Frank Monchiero
Dan Atherton recently said in an interview that the best enduro format in the world is Superenduro. And he explains why. They are concepts in which we recognize ourselves. And that foreign pilots recognize us more and more. Unfortunately, you know what they say, no one is a prophet in his own country. For 2014 we will technically organize two EWS in Italy, 4 Pro races and the Experiences. A new format that restarts from the motivations that prompted us to start with the SE 8 years ago. We will try to do even better and give bikers beautiful experiences riding, racing and tourism.
