With eight rounds scheduled across seven months for the 2019 World Enduro Super Series (WESS), the stage is set for another year of world-class Enduro racing, as the sport’s elite riders go head-to-head in the battle to become the ultimate enduro champion.

Building on its successful debut season during 2018, the championship will continue to challenge and test the world’s best Enduro riders across a wide range of racing formats, while also encouraging a wealth of amateur competitors to take part. Refining its parameters 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 Enduro racing.

For 2019, it’s Portugal that once again has the honour of hosting the opening round with the Toyota Porto Extreme XL Lagares, on 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 Trèfle Lozérien 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. French riders have dominated the Trèfle Lozérien 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 world’s toughest single-day Enduro, the Erzbergrodeo’s 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. Broadcast live on Red Bull TV, riders will do battle on one of the toughest Enduro courses around.

New for 2019, Spain’s Hixpania Hard Enduro joins the fold. Now entering its fourth edition, the event has become the country’s 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 sport’s top competitors, its inclusion in WESS for 2019 ensures the stakes will be raised this time around.

Spectacularly kicking off the second half of the series, WESS seeks out the wild mountainous wilderness of Romania’s Red Bull Romaniacs for round five. Considered the world’s 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.

Keeping the speeds high, the penultimate round of the 2019 series is a new venue for all on the first weekend of October. Returning to Spain – but this time for Classic Enduro – it’s 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 Germany’s leading Hard Enduro race and will prove a fitting finale to this year’s championship fight. Attracting over 12,000 spectators in 2018, the private woodland transforms into the ultimate playground for the world’s best Enduro riders to compete on. For 2019, the race will also be broadcast live on Red Bull TV, ensuring Enduro fans won’t miss a moment in the crowning of this year’s ultimate enduro champion.

World Enduro Super Series — 2019 Schedule

Round 1: Extreme XL Lagares (Portugal) May 10-12
Round 2: Trèfle Lozérien AMV (France) May 17-19
Round 3: Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble (Austria) May 30-June 2
Round 4: Hixpania Hard Enduro (Spain) June 21-23
Round 5: Red Bull Romaniacs (Romania) July 30-August 4
Round 6: Hawkstone Park Cross Country (United Kingdom) September 21-22
Round 7: BR2 Enduro Solsona (Spain) October 5-6
Round 8: GetzenRodeo (Germany) November 2-3

Photo credit: Future7Media / Red Bull Content Pool