Season Preview: World Enduro Super Series fires into life for the much-anticipated 2019 WESS season
By Team TMX on 8th May 19
Finaly the wait is over. The World Enduro Super Series fires into life for the much-anticipated 2019 season. With eight rounds scheduled across seven months, the stage is set for another year of world-class enduro racing, as the sports elite riders go head-to-head in the battle to become the Ultimate Enduro Champion.
Building on its successful debut season during 2018, the multi-discipline championship will continue to challenge and test the worlds best Enduro riders across a wide range of racing formats, while also encouraging a wealth of amateur competitors to take part.
For 2019, WESS will feature Classic Enduro, Hard Enduro and Cross-Country racing, while mixing a variety of iconic events and new venues together to create the perfect blend of racing.
A Portuguese kick start
For 2019, its Portugal that once again has the honour of hosting the opening round with the Toyota Porto Extreme XL Lagares, this weekend May 10-12. Now in its 15th edition, the three-day race showcases Superenduro, Urban and Hard Enduro in one weekend, encompassing everything WESS stands for.
From Portugal riders will have little time to rest as they head directly to France and the majestic Trefle Lozerien AMV the following weekend. A Classic Enduro that embodies the traditional spirit of Enduro with its format of timed special test racing, the idyllic French countryside surrounding Mende are steeped in motorcycle history.
Josep Garcia in Extreme XL Lagares action last year
French riders have dominated the Trefle Lozerien AMV and will aim to ensure that 32-year win streak remains unbroken. Returning to Hard Enduro, WESS leaves behind the rolling, grassy fields of France for the formidable Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble in Austria.
Renowned as the worlds toughest single-day Enduro, the Erzbergrodeos Iron Giant will see over 1,500 competitors first compete across two days of high-speed qualification for one of the 500 places on offer for the main event.
New for 2019, Spains Hixpania Hard Enduro joins the fold. Now entering its fourth edition, the event has become the countrys must-do Hard Enduro race. Held over three days, it too embodies the spirit of WESS with its multi-discipline Urban, Cross-Country and Hard Enduro elements. Already a favourite with some of the sports top competitors, its inclusion ensures the stakes will be raised this time around.
The Romanian wilderness beckons
Spectacularly kicking off the second half of the series, WESS seeks out the wild mountainous wilderness of Romanias Red Bull Romaniacs for round five. Considered the worlds toughest Hard Enduro Rallye, the five-day event annually lives up to its fearsome reputation.
Catering to all ability levels, the race sees a strong entry of competitors from 35 nations compete. From Romania to the United Kingdom, the Hawkstone Park Cross-Country at the famous Shropshire circuit offers traditional Enduro riders an opportunity to flaunt their speed.
After qualification on Saturday, riders will take to the start line on Sunday for a rough and physical two-hour 30-minute Cross-Country battle across unrelenting sandy bumps, tight and technical woodland, combined with the fast and flowing Motocross circuit.
A return to Spain for Classic Enduro
Keeping the speeds high, the penultimate round of the series is a new venue for all on the first weekend of October. Returning to Spain - but this time for Classic Enduro - its the all-new BR2 Enduro Solsona.
Located just over 100 kilometres north of Barcelona, the region is synonymous with enduro since the early 1970s, hosting numerous World Enduro Championship rounds, most recently in 2014.
Another golden opportunity for Classic Enduro specialists to gain ground on their Hard Enduro rivals as the season reaches its climax, the BR2 Enduro Solsona could prove a pivotal turning point in the championship fight.
Ready to sign off the 2019 WESS in style is GetzenRodeo. Another new addition to the calendar, the single-day GetzenRodeo is Germanys leading Hard Enduro race and will prove a fitting finale to this years championship fight.
Attracting over 12,000 spectators in 2018, the private woodland transforms into the ultimate playground for the worlds best Enduro riders to compete on. For 2019, the race will also be broadcast live on Red Bull TV.
2019 WESS Schedule (World Enduro Super Series)
| Round | Date | Event | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 10-12 | Extreme XL Lagares | Portugal |
| 2 | May 17-19 | Trfle Lozrien AMV | France |
| 3 | May 30-June 2 | Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble | Austria |
| 4 | June 21-23 | Hixpania Hard Enduro | Spain |
| 5 | July 30-Aug 4 | Red Bull Romaniacs | Romania |
| 6 | Sep 21-22 | Hawkstone Park Cross-Country | UK |
| 7 | Oct 5-6 | Solsona Enduro | Spain |
| 8 | Nov 2 | GetzenRodeo | Germany |
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