The 2022 Enduro World Series got under way in Scotland with Husqvarna E-Bicycles Racing pushing hard for a pair of top-26 results with Simon Carlsson and Alex Fayolle. There was success for Guido Tschugg who claimed a podium result in the Masters category.
Quickly getting up to speed, the EWS-E racing was fast and furious in the Scottish Tweed Valley. A physically demanding day at the office saw riders grapple a 65-kilometre long course, with 13 stages and 2833 metres of climbing to complete. An extremely tight time schedule ensured no time to rest.
Eager to get his EWS-E Pro Class debut underway, Simon Carlsson was keen to deliver his best. However, leaving the starting ramp feeling under the weather, ensured he would have a tough day ahead.
But determined, the Swede got on with the job in hand, showing his speed on the gravity-fed stages. The uphill Power Stages were physically draining, but digging deep he completed round one in 23rd overall.
Likewise, teammate Alex Fayolle was keen to deliver his best on his Mountain Cross LE. The Frenchman put in a strong ride on the steep and rough downhill stages, while managing to keep out of trouble on the daunting Power Stages.
Ending his 26th overall, Alex will hope to improve next time out in Slovenia.
Contesting the Masters 45+ class, Guido Tschugg was excited to sample his first taste of Enduro racing. Feeling confident in his speed on the downhill stages, he pushed hard for the overall win. Holding the lead with two stages to go, a mistake on the final Power Stage saw his hard work undone.
Despite his best efforts on the final downhill stage, he wasn’t able to recover and had to settle for the runner-up result.
The Enduro World Series continues with round two in Petzen Jamnica, Slovenia on June 15-16.
Simon Carlsson: “I’m pleased with my start in the EWS-E, but I wanted more. I felt quite sick this morning and knew it would be a long day. But I dug deep and kept pushing. It’s nice to get round one out of the way and I’m looking forward to building on this.”
Alex Fayolle: “It’s been a hard race, very physical and no time between stages. On the steep downhill stages my pace was good, but on the slower ones where you needed to pedal a lot I need to improve. The Power Stage was hard, but we’re trying our best to improve.”
Guido Tschugg: “It’s awesome to end on the podium. I’m a little gutted not to win, but it was a good fight. I learned a lot in my first enduro. The EWS-E is a hard day, really tough and the Power Stage is so crucial, we need to work on the power there to be stronger.”
Pro Class
1. Edgar Carballo (Orbea) 34:37.24;
2. Andrea Garibbo 34:56.62;
3. Leigh Johnson (Pole) 35:04.78;
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23. Simon Carlsson (Husqvarna) 37:18.58
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26. Alex Fayolle (Husqvarna) 37:48.70
Photos: Seb Schieck
