Enduro World Series kicks o GBU run at the Forest of Dean gets a makeover Shimano vs Bosch Schoolboy shredder Stan Nisbet Fresh trails for Wales’s Margam Country Park

The 2020 Enduro World Series finally kicked off with a race in the rugged mountains of Zermatt, Switzerland. Big mountain weather is never predictable, but lady luck wasn’t on-side at the opening round.

During the week leading up to the event, the pretty mountain town beneath the Matterhorn was bathed in sunshine. The inaugural EWS-E e-bike event had some brilliant weather too. But come the day of the main race, the rain arrived – as did frigid temperatures, snow and fog. For safety reasons, the race was shortened to two stages and the start delayed. But, given all that had gone against the EWS organisers this year, bad weather wasn’t going to stop them getting the riders back between the tape.

In the women’s field, reigning champ Isabeau Courdurier reminded all of her dominance by taking the win. Scotland’s Ella Conolly took to the conditions like a duck to water and, even with a couple of costly mistakes, finished in third. France’s Morgane Charre perhaps stole the limelight, though. The only woman not racing clipped-in, she powered her way to second place, proving it isn’t just Sam Hill who can turn flat pedals into medals in enduro.

In the men’s race, Canadian Jesse Melamed (pictured) bested the conditions to take the top spot, withstanding an attack from Martin Maes, who finished just four seconds behind. France’s Théo Galy rounded out the podium with a stunning performance. This Sunn team rider has been consistently progressing up through the ranks.

We want to praise the standout performances from British riders Elliott Heap and Matt Stuttard, who placed seventh and eighth respectively. With Ella’s top result too, it’s brilliant to see some UK talent breaking into the world top 10 in enduro.