E-EDR Race report #1 Finale Ligure

Unfortunately, Helen was unable to compete due to a wrist injury that had not yet fully healed. Nevertheless, Kelan and Torben were highly motivated and were accompanied by a great support team. Lukas Spießl, our new team manager, and Luca Morell as mechanic were on site, as was Torben's girlfriend Sarah, who took care of the catering. Equally pleasing was the presence of many Rotwild employees, as the new Rotwild R.EXC e-bike was presented as part of the event.

For many of the team, it was a new experience as it was their first e-bike race. Nervousness was high at first, as there were many "firsts" to come: The entire pit setup was new and being set up for the first time, photo opportunities with the organizer and shoots with our own photographers and videographers were on the agenda. But everything went smoothly and the team was thrilled with what had been created in such a short time since the team was founded. The black pavilions with the red and blue team logos, the first-class equipment and the new team van made a real impression on the beautiful Finale Ligure beach promenade. 

It was particularly exciting for Kelan and Torben. After months of preparation, it was finally time for their debut in the first full E-Enduro season. Even though an E-Enduro race is basically very similar to an ordinary Enduro race, there are some serious differences that the two of them noticed, especially after training.

Probably the biggest difference are the Powerstages. These are routes specially designed for e-bikes. They usually go steeply uphill over technically challenging obstacles and around tight bends. Fitness, motorization, riding skills, tire choice and a lot of specific training play a decisive role here. A lot of time went into preparing for these stages during the off-season due to the varied requirements, but this is where the excitement was greatest, as power stages can be very different. But it's not just the power stages that are new: in order to fully exploit the extended possibilities of an e-bike, the usual downhill stages are often extended by short, steep and technical counter-climbs. In our opinion, these e-bike-specific stages are the best mix of all elements and demand everything from riders and equipment.

The total race duration also differs from a conventional bike race. As a rule, the e-bike race covers approximately twice the distance. This also means twice the race duration. Depending on the elevation profile and timing requirements, the transfer sections are sometimes a little more relaxed, but due to the double race duration, the E-Bike World Cups are often just as strenuous as the Bio-Bike World Cups - if not more so. This is because many of the pedal sections on the stages are over 25 km/h. This means you are riding the same sprint, only with a much heavier bike. A very fundamental difference to the conventional MTB is the additional weight of the e-bikes. The Rotwild R.EXC e-bike that we use is light for an e-bike, but still heavier than a conventional enduro bike. This extra weight affects the handling, especially in technical sections and when changing direction quickly. Riders have to learn to use the extra weight and adapt their technique at the same time.

The challenging altitude profile of the race in Finale revealed another important aspect of e-bike racing: battery management. In order to master the more than 3000 meters of altitude at very high speed, the riders have to manage the battery's energy over the entire duration of the race. This requires a strategic approach and a deep understanding of their own bike. An empty battery in the middle of the race can have fatal consequences, so planning ahead is very important. However, with our 820 Wh batteries we are well equipped and should get through the race without any problems. The training of the routes went without any serious problems or incidents and Kelan and Torben had a lot of fun in the new discipline. After everything had been checked on the bikes once again, the team lined up at the start for the first time with the new Rotwild R.EXC bikes.

Unfortunately, the race did not go perfectly for Kelan and Torben. Both had to contend with defects and each had to accept a crash. Despite these setbacks, they helped each other and fought their way through the day together. Although they did not achieve the desired results, they learned a lot and gained important experience. These lessons will certainly be of great benefit to them in the races to come. 

Despite the difficulties, the start of the season in Finale Ligure was an important step for the Rotwild Schwalbe Gravity Team. The differences between E-Enduro and traditional Enduro racing presented Kelan and Torben with new challenges, but they overcame them with great effort. We are proud of our riders and the entire support team and are looking forward to the upcoming races of the season.

Race results