No Fuss Events, the team behind the hugely successful POC Scottish Enduro Series and many other legendary annual mountain bike events throughout Scotland, have recently announced that the Kinlochleven Enduro, on 20 November 2016, will be the UK’s only Enduro World Series (EWS) Qualifier event for the 2017 series.
Chris Ball, Director of the Enduro World Series, said:
“For the past two years we’ve awarded reserve entry places for the Enduro World Series to the top men and women of the Scottish Enduro Series as it has grown into one of the world’s leading enduro race series, with big country terrain, large entry fields and a great variety of venues.
“It is fantastic to strengthen this relationship further by working with No Fuss Events on the only UK EWS Qualifier event for the 2017 series, part of our new qualifying system that incorporates 18 global venues from Mexico to New Zealand. As a Scotsman myself, it’s also an honour to be able to showcase the world renowned big mountain backdrop with No Fuss Events in the iconic Kinlochleven.”
Kinlochleven in Fort William and Lochaber – The Outdoor Capital of the UK, is a mountain bike venue with a reputation for some of the finest mountain bike trails and challenging enduro stages, big mountain backdrops and an ability to deliver, no matter what the weather – the perfect combination for what will be the UK’s premier mountain bike enduro event in 2016.
Enduro racing is the fastest growing discipline in mountain bike racing in the UK and the global picture is extremely positive too, with the first two rounds of the 2016 EWS in Chile and Argentina garnering a huge amount of media attention. This is a very positive sign for the Kinlochleven Enduro as an EWS Qualifier; and for Scotland.
Frazer Coupland, Partner at No Fuss Events, said:
“We are delighted to be hosting this qualifier event. We have a rider-focused approach to our events, ensuring it is the experience and quality of riding that really counts. We have no doubt that the trails and the stages in Kinlochleven will deliver and riders will be able to enjoy the very best of the Highlands in November.”
The recent announcement that the 2016 International Mountain Bike Conference – Innovation Edition – will be held in the Highlands in the days preceding the EWS Qualifier (17-19 November) will bring extra attention to the UK’s big mountain riding destination. The Kinlochleven Enduro will also provide conference delegates with the perfect opportunity to experience the fantastic riding Lochaber has to offer first hand by either entering the event or spectating.
Graeme McLean, project manager of Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS) and organiser of the International Mountain Bike Conference, said:
“The rise of enduro has driven forward innovation in the bike industry. This has brought many benefits including the re-emergence of exploring wilder places by mountain bike and bringing economic benefits to fragile rural economies. This does come with an impact and the conference will discuss how we can work in partnership to mitigate any issues whilst taking advantage of the positives. The conference will also learn from international and Scottish best practice on mountain biking tourism, product development, health, sport and will feature an awards dinner and a creative arts evening.”
Frazer Coupland added:
“With the International Mountain Bike Conference and the EWS Qualifier being staged in the Highlands in November the media spotlight will be firmly focused on Scotland’s outdoors and active tourism industry in November. We look forward to hosting riders, spectators and conference delegates to Kinlochleven for what will be a fantastic event showcasing the best enduro riding to be had in the UK.”
Fort William based No Fuss Events and The POC Scottish Enduro Series have been working with the EWS for the past 2 years with 2 riders, the male and female series winners, securing place on the much sought after reserve list. The Kinlochleven Enduro builds upon that base and is a natural extension of the flourishing partnership between No Fuss and the EWS.
No Fuss Events are already reporting an incredible start to the 2016 POC Scottish Enduro Series, now in its third year. The first two rounds of the 6 venue series sold out and the positive feedback has again highlighted it as the leading enduro series in the UK.
Statistics from the first two races in the series are impressive – 2 Races – 10 Stages – 602 riders – 2382 m total descent – 1.56 Shortest Stage- fastest elite rider time – 7.38 longest Stage- fastest elite rider time – 3.20 AVERAGE elite rider Stage time!!!! – 100% accurate race timing over 2 races using Sportident Air + System.
For further information on The Kinlochleven Enduro and entry details; and other No Fuss Events – go to: http://www.nofussevents.co.uk/
A selection of images of riders at Kinlochleven can be downloaded from: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lc5jzb91g0c1e9y/AADKlNkwoi1ZePWYXeAfm2nYa?dl=0
Other useful websites:
No Fuss Events – http://www.nofussevents.co.uk/
Enduro World Series – http://www.enduroworldseries.com/
Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland – http://www.dmbins.com/
POC Scottish Enduro Series – http://www.scottishenduroseries.co.uk/
