23 December 2014
More NZ wildcards announced for Giant Toa Enduro Rotorua
New Zealand will have an even greater contingent of Kiwi mountain bikers on the world stage in next year’s Giant Toa
Enduro Rotorua, with the announcement of extra wildcard entries.
Altogether, 34 of the very best Enduro riders from New Zealand are now guaranteed a spot to represent the nation, thanks
to an increase in the number of entries awarded by Enduro World Series (EWS).
“It’s important to have a strong New Zealand presence in this race as it’s a sport we want to grow. These wildcard
entries will help to propel local riders onto the world circuit, which will be huge for New Zealand mountain biking,”
says Neil Gellatly, race manager.
To be held on March 28, 2015, the Giant Toa Enduro Rotorua is round one of the EWS season as part of Crankworx Rotorua
and will mark the start of the professional mountain bike racing calendar.
According to Gellatly, 15 Kiwi elite racer place holdings were announced in November, and five additional wildcards were
expected, but the EWS increased it to 10 to accommodate intense interest.
A panel assisted in rider selection for the remaining spots, which were awarded based on overall event performance, with
results at high-profile events among competitive fields receiving higher recognition.
Two of the initial 15 riders were unable to accept their invitation, leaving two extra spots up for grabs. The 12 final
wildcards for the 2015 Crankworx Rotorua Enduro are: Sam Shaw (Rotorua), Sam Blenkinsop (Christchurch), Wyn Masters (New
Plymouth), Cameron Cole (Christchurch), Reon Boe (Queenstown), Matt Scoles (Alexandra), Tom Skillicorn (Queenstown),
Carl Jones (Rotorua), Lisa Horlor (Rotorua), Annika Smail (Rotorua), Leighton Kirk (Dunedin) and Ethan Glover (Nelson).
Wildcard entrant Lisa Horlor says it’s great that more top Kiwi riders get an opportunity to be involved and she is
proud to be on the list.
“Getting a wildcard entry is also a fantastic training motivator. There are some really good girls out there and tough
competition – it drives me to be the best I can be,” says Horlor.
Enduro is the fastest growing competitive mountain biking discipline in the world, so the limited 400 spots are expected
to be in demand.
Between 200 and 250 spots will become available to the public at 9 a.m. New Zealand time on Thursday, January 22, with
an entry fee of 85 Euro (approx. NZ$135).
The Enduro World Series uncovers the world’s best trails and unites the world’s best mountain biking communities. In
2015, it is increasing to eight rounds with five new venues and three new countries. The rounds of EWS will visit (in
order): New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, France, America, Canada, Spain, and Italy.
About Crankworx Rotorua
A gathering of the bike-minded, Crankworx Rotorua brings together the world’s downhill, slopestyle and enduro legends,
with the Superfans, the rising stars, the industry’s innovators and the next generation of mountain bike riders for five
days of contests, concerts, culture and cranking.
March 25 - 29, Rotorua, hosts mountain biking’s defining celebration. Crankworx Rotorua marks the third international
event for Crankworx, adding to the current festivals in Whistler and Les 2 Alpes, France. Around 750 riders will take
part, of which 80% are likely to be overseas riders from the US, Canada, South America, Europe, Japan and Australia.
Nowhere else will you see competitors of this calibre gathered in one place at Skyline Rotorua Mountain Bike Gravity
Park. Anointed by dirt, aligned with gravity, powered by passion - Crankworx combines it all.
About Enduro World Series
Adventure, experience, challenge and great riding. Those words sum up what enduro mountain bike racing is all about.
This format replicates what many bike riders do every weekend by allowing the competitor to ride for up to six hours,
taking in the local environment at their own pace, whilst only competing against the clock on the best downhills. A
combination of all the times over all the Special Stages gives the rider their result. With riders restricted to only
one bike and one pair of wheels for the race, unlike the other disciplines of mountain biking, tactics play a major role
with physical effort, careful equipment choice and preservation being crucial to success.
Also unique to enduro, and one of the core values of the discipline is accessibility, with amateurs competing on the
same Stages as the professionals. This mix of ability and background is unique to the enduro format, allowing normal
bike riders to compete against their heroes.
The EWS was formed in 2012 in an effort to unite endure racing worldwide and bring it to the world stage. It was created
by Chris Ball (Ex-UCI Technical Delegate), Darren Kinnaird (Crankworx Events Manager), Fred Glo (French Enduro Series
Founder) and Enrico Guala (European Super Enduro founder). Enduro racing is the fastest growing competitive discipline
of mountain biking in the world.
Kiwi riders in the Giant Toa Enduro Rotorua 2015
Wildcards – Round Two announcement
1. Sam Shaw, Rotorua
2. Sam Blenkinsop, Christchurch
3. Wyn Masters, New Plymouth
4. Cameron Cole, Christchurch
5. Reon Boe, Queenstown
6. Matt Scoles, Alexandra
7. Tom Skillicorn, Queenstown
8. Carl Jones, Rotorua
9. Lisa Horlor, Rotorua
10. Annika Smail, Rotorua
11. Leighton Kirk, Dunedin
12. Ethan Glover, Nelson
NZ MTB Crown Wildcards
1. Matt Walker, Kawerau
2. Byron Scott, Auckland
3. Connor Macfarlane, Queenstown
4. Hayden Lee, Tauranga
5. Ed Kerly, Nelson
6. Karl Paterson, Palmerston North
7. Reuben Miller, Nelson
8. Jimmy Pollard, Queenstown
9. Ben Robson, Rotorua
10. Tom Lamb, Queenstown
11. Raewyn Morrison, Nelson
12. Anja McDonald, Dunedin
13. Sasha Smith, Wellington
EWS ranked Kiwi riders
1. Justin Leov, Blenheim
2. Jamie Nicoll, Nelson
3. Joseph Nation, Christchurch
4. James Hampton, Christchurch
5. Kurt Lancaster, Nelson
6. Rosara Joseph, Wellington
7. Meg Bichard, Nelson
8. Gabby Molloy, Rotorua
9. Anka Martin, Nelson
ENDS