The cycling industry, fraught with ups and downs, and the production of race content have proven problematic for Enduro, with many veteran athletes retiring before the 2026 season. This hasn't slowed down the racing, which has remained as impressive as ever. Unfortunately, the quality of the competition doesn't seem to be sufficient to keep the sport alive at the World Cup level, and the UCI has decided to suspend the format for the time being.
In a surprise announcement this morning, Warner Brothers and the UCI released this update, providing little indication of what might happen next for the roster of riders who have dedicated their lives to the Enduro World Series.
 | Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) today announced that the 2026 UCI Enduro World Cup will be the final season of Enduro under the current UCI World Cup structure. The decision reflects the shared belief that each mountain bike format has its own unique characteristics, its own community, and its own development path, and that long-term success requires an approach tailored to its specific needs and ambitions. WBD Sports and the UCI believe that the future of Enduro will be best served by a structure specifically designed around the format's unique identity, one that offers greater flexibility in its operational framework, more room for innovation, and a greater focus on participation and community engagement. For over a decade, the Enduro World Series (EWS) and WBD Sports have played a key role in contributing to the growth, professionalization, and international reach of Enduro, both at the elite and amateur levels. Together with athletes, teams, organizers, partners, and fans, they have helped take the format to new heights, expanding its reach and strengthening its position within the mountain bike landscape. Since Enduro's integration into the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, the discipline has benefited from increased visibility and reach within a broader mountain bike platform. Among the most significant milestones of this period is the launch of the UCI Mountain Bike Enduro and E-Enduro World Championships in 2024, which has consolidated Enduro's position as the sport's premier event. While the UCI Enduro World Cup will conclude at the end of the 2026 season, the UCI Mountain Bike Enduro and E-Enduro World Championships will continue to exist, taking on even greater importance as the discipline's flagship events. The UCI World Championships will become the cornerstone of the global Enduro calendar, bringing together the sport's top athletes and representing the pinnacle celebration of the Enduro community. The 2026 UCI Mountain Bike Enduro and E-Enduro World Championships will take place in the Finale Outdoor region (Liguria, Italy) from 16 to 18 October, bringing the world’s best athletes to what is widely considered the spiritual home of enduro. The future of this discipline on the world stage is also assured for 2027, with Enduro and E-Enduro confirmed as part of the UCI Cycling World Championships in Haute-Savoie, France. Among the selected venues for this historic event are Morillon and the Grand Massif region, fresh from last week's 2026 UCI Enduro World Cup final, which attracted over 500 professional and amateur athletes. In 2027, the French destination will once again welcome the world's best Enduro athletes, who will compete for the sport's most prestigious title and the iconic rainbow jersey. While the future path is still being defined, discussions are ongoing between the venues, organizers, and stakeholders who have helped shape the sport over the past decades. Drawing on their deep knowledge of Enduro and its community, they are exploring new opportunities to ensure its continued growth and long-term sustainability, staying true to the values that have made Enduro unique: participation, adventure, creativity, and a shared passion for the ride, where the journey is as important as the result. This includes initiatives such as integrating Enduro Open side events into select WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series weekends. By giving Enduro the freedom to continue to evolve under its own rules, this transition represents the beginning of a new chapter for a discipline with a rich heritage, a passionate community, and many more stories yet to be told. |
