On June 20 and 21, 2015, two premieres will take place in Kirchberg/Tyrol, Austria: The UEC Mountain Bike Enduro European Championships will not only be the first time in cycling history that European championships have been held in this still young racing discipline, but also the first ever official titles to be awarded in this category. Riders from around 20 European nations will take to the track in the Tyrolean Unterland in the race for the historic title.

Of course, such a top-class race also attracts top-class riders. With Jerome Clementz (FRA), René Wildhaber (SUI) and Remy Absalon (SUI), three of the world's best athletes are currently on the start list. Of the registered riders, however, Irish superstar Greg Callaghan has to be left off the list of title contenders due to injury.

Dutch rider Anneke Beerten is at the top of the list of contenders for the women's title, followed by Swiss riders Anita and Carolin Gehrig. But Katy Winton from Scotland and Raphaela Richter are also likely to want to have a say.

Spectacle in the city center and new start mode
When Europe's best enduro riders ride for the title for the first time in June, this will of course be celebrated in style. For example, at the official run-in of the nations as part of the Incity Prologue on Saturday in the village center of Kirchberg. Spectators can experience mountain bike action up close when bikers from all over Europe battle for the best starting positions and the first time advantage. The riders ride down the steps and narrow alleyways from the church square to the village center, where the national flags are already waiting to be hoisted by the athletes.

Race day is on Sunday: five rated stages and a total of almost 40 kilometers of race course on single trails and transfer stages are on the athletes' to-do list. A special highlight right at the start: from the start and finish area at the Fleckalmbahn, the participants are sent straight into the first special stage against the clock. The spectators are so close to the racing action that they can smell the sweat of the scene stars and feel the dirt of the track.

The race is decided on the Fleckalmtrail, where the ultimate final test awaits the participants with the fifth stage. Equipped with downhill timing, the split time after four special stages ridden will be used to determine the starting order for this final section. The fastest 50 riders will then start in descending order. Excitement is not only guaranteed for the spectators, who can cheer loudly at the decision of the first European Enduro Championships 2015; it is also immediately clear who has won when the finish line is crossed.

www.europeanenduroseries.com