The Kona Super Grassroots team has been out in full force at the third round of the EDR (formally the Enduro World Series) in Pietre Ligure, Italy. Kiwi Elliot Smith and Czech Jakub Riha are both racing in the pro event tomorrow, while Belgiun duo Jonas Demuylder and Alexis Roukens raced in the Open event today. Alexis finished off the day in 10th place against some very fast French and Italian locals while Jonas finished the day in 32nd. Under the new EDR rules, neither of them is eligible for any points, the only way into the pro ranks is through a national UCI Enduro event, or by coming 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the Open.

Saturday is the main event and Elliot will be aiming to finish above 90th place (there are 131 pro riders) to stay in the pro category for the remaining EU rounds. He worked his way into the pro race in Pietra Ligure after finishing second in the Open racing at round 2 in Derby, Tasmania. Jakub, who has been enjoying #dadlife recently is no stranger to top 40 results at EWS events, he’s also looking for a good points haul, without racing a full season, he needs to get the full 125 needed to ensure the ability to race in next year’s series.

Racing kicks off Saturday morning local time and the live timing kicks off at around 10am. You can find the live timing here: https://live.ucimtbworldseries.com/

“My first pro-EDR practice took place yesterday and it was a stunner, a mix of all the weather, thunder, sun, and a fair bit of sweat. But the trails were all time! Stoked for a huge day of it on Saturday!” – Elliot Smith
“A race here in the Ligure region is always like a “holiday” for me. Great Italian food, beautiful trails and world-class competition.

Yesterday we tried everything, sun, dust, rain, mud, slippery roots and dry dirt roads. it is a mix of the best that the region has to offer. The first two stages are especially intense, but I can’t praise them enough.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow when we’ll do it all at a racing pace.” – Jakub Riha

Above Photos: Sven Martin