Enduro Racing at the Highest Level

The Enduro World Series — now operating under the Crankworx World Tour and EWS umbrella — remains the pinnacle of enduro mountain bike racing. The format rewards complete riders: those who can descend with raw speed and technical precision across varied terrain, while managing the physical demands of untimed liaison climbs between stages. It's a format that closely mirrors real-world trail riding, which is a big part of its appeal both to competitors and fans.

What Is the EWS Format?

For those new to enduro racing, here's how it works:

  • Races span one or two days across multiple timed downhill stages
  • Riders navigate untimed liaison sections (climbs) between stages under their own power
  • Combined stage times determine the overall winner
  • Mechanical repairs and navigation during liaisons are the rider's own responsibility
  • Stages range from short technical tracks to multi-minute high-speed descents

The format rewards technical skill, fitness, racecraft, and mechanical preparedness in equal measure — making it one of the most demanding disciplines in cycling.

2025 Season Calendar Overview

The 2025 EWS calendar takes the series to destinations across Europe, the Americas, and Oceania. Races are held at iconic locations known for challenging terrain and varied conditions — from the loose, high-altitude stages of the Alps to the rooty, technical forests of the Pacific Northwest. Exact round dates and venues are confirmed on the official EWS website and subject to change. Check the official series site for up-to-date scheduling.

Key Storylines Heading Into 2025

The Next Generation Is Here

In recent seasons, a wave of young riders has disrupted the established order. Under-21 talent has been pushing podiums across multiple rounds, and 2025 is expected to see that progression continue. The depth of the current field is greater than at any point in the series' history, which means fewer predictable results and more exciting racing for fans.

Women's Racing on the Rise

The women's EWS field has grown significantly in both depth and media coverage. Established champions face increasingly fierce competition from up-and-coming riders from across Europe and beyond. Expect close racing throughout the standings this season.

Equipment Innovation

Bike geometry has continued to evolve — longer reach figures, slacker head angles, and more progressive suspension kinematics are now standard across the pro peloton. Tyre technology and suspension setup remain key differentiators at the top level, and team mechanics play an outsized role in race-day outcomes.

Riders to Watch in 2025

Rather than listing past champions who may or may not defend their titles, here are the types of rider profiles to follow throughout the season:

  • Returning champions: Watch whether defending title-holders can maintain consistency across a full season calendar
  • Breakout young guns: Riders who showed flashes of podium pace in 2024 but haven't yet strung together full-season results
  • Course specialists: Some riders dominate loose, high-speed terrain while struggling on technical rooty tracks — track how the calendar suits different riding styles
  • Masters category contenders: The Masters (40+) division is fiercely competitive and often overlooked — worth following for inspiration alone

How to Follow the Racing

The EWS produces strong multimedia content including race-day live timing, post-race video recaps, and stage highlight footage. Red Bull TV and the official Enduro World Series YouTube channel both carry race coverage. The series also has an active social media presence that makes it easy to follow results in real time even if you can't watch live.

Getting Into Enduro Racing Yourself

Inspired to race? Most EWS rounds include amateur or "Challenger" categories that allow club-level riders to race the same stages as the pros the day before the elite race. Local enduro series exist in most cycling-active regions and provide an accessible entry point to the format. Check with your national mountain bike federation for events near you.