EDR - Is the amateur challenge (EWS100 or EWS80) still happening ?

EvanCantJump

Would love to complete what was previously referred to as an EWS100, but I can't seem to find any information online if they still occur since the transition to EDR& Warner bros.

Does anyone have any insight as to if they are happening in 2026 ? 

Thank you !

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the_pufalot 12/3/2025 2:33am
12/3/2025 2:33am

The EWS100 and EWS80 were replaced a few years ago (I think when the UCI took over) by the EDR Open, which is basically the same thing. This year, we raced one day out of two when the Pros had a two-day race, or we had one fewer stage than the Pros when it was a single-day event. Unfortunately, we didn’t have Open racing at all the rounds. It was only available in Pietra, Bielsko-Biała, Loudenvielle, Morillon, and Val di Fassa. There was some form of Open racing in Aletsch as well, but I only found out about that after the race 😅.

There’s still no information about Open racing in 2026. If it’s still happening, I’d guess it will take place in Loudenvielle, Haute-Savoie, Val di Fassa, and Aletsch. Leogang and La Thuile are hosting races for all three disciplines, so those venues will already be crowded enough without a few extra hundred amateurs.

I’ve tried contacting multiple organisers to find out more about their plans for 2026. Only Aletsch and Loudenvielle replied, and both confirmed that there will be some form of Open racing at their venues in 2026.

I'll post in this thread when/if I'll have more info

6
EvanCantJump 12/3/2025 2:43am
12/3/2025 2:43am
the_pufalot wrote:
The EWS100 and EWS80 were replaced a few years ago (I think when the UCI took over) by the EDR Open, which is basically the same...

The EWS100 and EWS80 were replaced a few years ago (I think when the UCI took over) by the EDR Open, which is basically the same thing. This year, we raced one day out of two when the Pros had a two-day race, or we had one fewer stage than the Pros when it was a single-day event. Unfortunately, we didn’t have Open racing at all the rounds. It was only available in Pietra, Bielsko-Biała, Loudenvielle, Morillon, and Val di Fassa. There was some form of Open racing in Aletsch as well, but I only found out about that after the race 😅.

There’s still no information about Open racing in 2026. If it’s still happening, I’d guess it will take place in Loudenvielle, Haute-Savoie, Val di Fassa, and Aletsch. Leogang and La Thuile are hosting races for all three disciplines, so those venues will already be crowded enough without a few extra hundred amateurs.

I’ve tried contacting multiple organisers to find out more about their plans for 2026. Only Aletsch and Loudenvielle replied, and both confirmed that there will be some form of Open racing at their venues in 2026.

I'll post in this thread when/if I'll have more info

Thank you! 

Would love to complete one, would be a great experience.

Didn't realise it was up to the individual organisers either, tried finding out from the Whoop UCI page and sent them an email and got no response. 

CamNeelyCantWheelie 12/3/2025 11:32am
12/3/2025 11:32am
the_pufalot wrote:
The EWS100 and EWS80 were replaced a few years ago (I think when the UCI took over) by the EDR Open, which is basically the same...

The EWS100 and EWS80 were replaced a few years ago (I think when the UCI took over) by the EDR Open, which is basically the same thing. This year, we raced one day out of two when the Pros had a two-day race, or we had one fewer stage than the Pros when it was a single-day event. Unfortunately, we didn’t have Open racing at all the rounds. It was only available in Pietra, Bielsko-Biała, Loudenvielle, Morillon, and Val di Fassa. There was some form of Open racing in Aletsch as well, but I only found out about that after the race 😅.

There’s still no information about Open racing in 2026. If it’s still happening, I’d guess it will take place in Loudenvielle, Haute-Savoie, Val di Fassa, and Aletsch. Leogang and La Thuile are hosting races for all three disciplines, so those venues will already be crowded enough without a few extra hundred amateurs.

I’ve tried contacting multiple organisers to find out more about their plans for 2026. Only Aletsch and Loudenvielle replied, and both confirmed that there will be some form of Open racing at their venues in 2026.

I'll post in this thread when/if I'll have more info

⚠️Rant Warning, no actual advice below⚠️

I don't know what it's going take for the powers at be to come to terms with the fact that EWS/EDR is mostly directly supported by the COMMUNITY of riders that are actively participating in Enduro racing, not random bored YouTube and HBO algorithm drifters. At least to me the most successful period of EWS was when there was a well promoted international web of qualifier events and 100/80 events along side the Elite races. People could actually aspire to racing an elite event and the pathway was clearly defined. Or there was the option to race an 80 to justify the trip out to watch elites Sunday. The COMMUNITY was buzzing at all the local qualifiers. I personally managed to scrape enough points to qualify and race for a few years and it was so rad to live the dream to some extent. 

I see the current downfall of Enduro directly related to both cramming EDR in as a sideshow to DH, XC and removing the grassroots community that the discipline was built on. Hopefully EDR doesn't fully implode, but if it does I hope that someone can recover it with the spirit and outlook of pre UCI pilled Chris Ball. Check out this interview with him from 2013 and imagine if it was the outlook for 2026: 

Enduro Mountain Bike Magazine: 2013 Chris Ball Interview

Sigh, anyway sorry for the triggered rant. It just really bothers me to see all the opportunity taken from the community when such a good system was dismantled for no good reason. I hope you all can make it out for some epic weekends of racing and heckling the EDR stages!

 

6
BostonDonMTB 12/3/2025 11:28pm
12/3/2025 11:28pm
the_pufalot wrote:
The EWS100 and EWS80 were replaced a few years ago (I think when the UCI took over) by the EDR Open, which is basically the same...

The EWS100 and EWS80 were replaced a few years ago (I think when the UCI took over) by the EDR Open, which is basically the same thing. This year, we raced one day out of two when the Pros had a two-day race, or we had one fewer stage than the Pros when it was a single-day event. Unfortunately, we didn’t have Open racing at all the rounds. It was only available in Pietra, Bielsko-Biała, Loudenvielle, Morillon, and Val di Fassa. There was some form of Open racing in Aletsch as well, but I only found out about that after the race 😅.

There’s still no information about Open racing in 2026. If it’s still happening, I’d guess it will take place in Loudenvielle, Haute-Savoie, Val di Fassa, and Aletsch. Leogang and La Thuile are hosting races for all three disciplines, so those venues will already be crowded enough without a few extra hundred amateurs.

I’ve tried contacting multiple organisers to find out more about their plans for 2026. Only Aletsch and Loudenvielle replied, and both confirmed that there will be some form of Open racing at their venues in 2026.

I'll post in this thread when/if I'll have more info

CamNeelyCantWheelie wrote:
⚠️Rant Warning, no actual advice below⚠️I don't know what it's going take for the powers at be to come to terms with the fact that EWS/EDR...

⚠️Rant Warning, no actual advice below⚠️

I don't know what it's going take for the powers at be to come to terms with the fact that EWS/EDR is mostly directly supported by the COMMUNITY of riders that are actively participating in Enduro racing, not random bored YouTube and HBO algorithm drifters. At least to me the most successful period of EWS was when there was a well promoted international web of qualifier events and 100/80 events along side the Elite races. People could actually aspire to racing an elite event and the pathway was clearly defined. Or there was the option to race an 80 to justify the trip out to watch elites Sunday. The COMMUNITY was buzzing at all the local qualifiers. I personally managed to scrape enough points to qualify and race for a few years and it was so rad to live the dream to some extent. 

I see the current downfall of Enduro directly related to both cramming EDR in as a sideshow to DH, XC and removing the grassroots community that the discipline was built on. Hopefully EDR doesn't fully implode, but if it does I hope that someone can recover it with the spirit and outlook of pre UCI pilled Chris Ball. Check out this interview with him from 2013 and imagine if it was the outlook for 2026: 

Enduro Mountain Bike Magazine: 2013 Chris Ball Interview

Sigh, anyway sorry for the triggered rant. It just really bothers me to see all the opportunity taken from the community when such a good system was dismantled for no good reason. I hope you all can make it out for some epic weekends of racing and heckling the EDR stages!

 

I haven't gotten my fitness up for racing any of the Eastern State Cup enduro races, but I would love to try one. It is the uphills that kill me.I would probably have to train in order to even try one of them.

We are pretty lucky that we live in New England and we have access to this organization that runs Downhill and Enduro races. One day I will make it happen.

1
the_pufalot 3/15/2026 9:40am
3/15/2026 9:40am

Promised to come back here with info when I get some. On ucimtbworldseries website, for both Loudenvielle and Val di Fassa there are schedules posted that include EDR Open categories. So finally a confirmation for the existence of this category for 2026. 

https://www.ucimtbworldseries.com/events/loudenvielle-2026
https://www.ucimtbworldseries.com/events/val-di-fassa-2026

3
EvanCantJump 3/15/2026 1:38pm
3/15/2026 1:38pm
the_pufalot wrote:
Promised to come back here with info when I get some. On ucimtbworldseries website, for both Loudenvielle and Val di Fassa there are schedules posted that...

Promised to come back here with info when I get some. On ucimtbworldseries website, for both Loudenvielle and Val di Fassa there are schedules posted that include EDR Open categories. So finally a confirmation for the existence of this category for 2026. 

https://www.ucimtbworldseries.com/events/loudenvielle-2026
https://www.ucimtbworldseries.com/events/val-di-fassa-2026

Thank you!!

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