It is with great emotion that the Enduro World Series announces the return of the largest mountain bike competition dedicated to teams, the Trophy of Nations.
Source: press release
The "Trophy of Nations" will take place in September 2019 on the iconic trails of Finale Ligure and will be a true celebration of the discipline, with the riders putting aside individual glory in favor of teamwork and national pride.
Strategy, sportsmanship and team spirit will be the driving elements to achieve the best possible result for the teams, combining the results of the three team members.
Featuring three categories, the event will pit nations, industry and amateurs in competition. Each category will consist of three riders. The national teams will be made up of the top three riders in that country's global EWS ranking and there will be both male and female teams.
To put it into context, if the event had taken place in 2017, the Australian team would have been made up of Sam Hill, Jared Graves and Josh Carlson who would have faced Jerome Clementz, Damien Oton and Adrien Dailly of Team France.
Even amateurs will be able to join a team of three without any restrictions and therefore have the opportunity to race together to face some of the most important names in mountain biking.
The industry was invited to participate with their teams, allowing mechanics and team managers to leave their usual role and paddock for the occasion and go out on the trails to show what they are made of.
The Nations Trophy will take place in Finale Ligure after the circuit closes with round eight in Zermatt, Switzerland, and will be a standalone event that will not contribute to the overall rider ranking.
The Trophy of Nations will be part of a larger Finale Outdoor Festival, with riders and fans who will give life to an incredible race weekend and the opportunity to follow their country, team and companions.
Chris Ball, Managing Director of the Enduro World Series, said: “We are so excited to bring team competition in mountain biking to the highest level. The mere thought of who could race together in national teams is incredible. It will be so interesting to see how riders change their strategies in a team environment - they will really have to work together if they want to do well. It's a great opportunity for amateurs too - what could be better than racing Finale's incredible network of trails with your friends and, at the same time, sharing them with the best riders in the world?
This race has the potential to become one of the most exciting and interesting events of the year. "
The Trophy of Nations was also welcomed with enthusiasm by the local community of Finale.
Ugo Frascherelli, mayor of Finale Ligure, commented: "There is no doubt that there is a special link between Finale Ligure and the Enduro Word Series, we are honored to have been chosen to organize the first Enduro of the Nations in 2019 and we it will be another great opportunity for the whole of Finale "
Andrea Principato, president of Finale Outdoor Resort, adds “After 6 editions of the EWS final, the bar is still rising. A pleasure but also a great responsibility to be in charge of organizing the first world race for teams. Nice to see that amateurs with their teams can also race in such an event. It will be a great party. "
So mark the weekend of 28 September 2019 on the calendar and don't miss the Finale Ligure Trophy of Nations.
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