While I have never been a fan of electric assist bicycles traveling at speeds above the legal limits set by various industry members and state policies, we do recognize that there are opportunities for offroad bikes that exceed the maximum speed of 28mph (class 3 eBikes), to ride on either private land (with permission), as well as the HOV trails, used by motorized vehicles around the country. In the development of the partnership with Bonnier, owners of the famed EnduroCross indoor arena motorcycle race series, we realized that this is a perfect opportunity for the higher power electric-assist bikes to showcase their abilities in a closed, competitive setting. The 3rd class of racing the EnduroCross eMTB Challenge Series is a professional "Open" class that allows the higher power offroad eBikes to participate. While there are rules the biggest restriction placed on this group is that all bikes must operate under pedal-assist, no throttle.
Competitors have questioned this inclusion but once they understand the race course, everyone quickly realizes that pure power will not necessarily guarantee a winner. On a tight, serpentine, obstacle course, filled with rocks, tires, trees, drainage tubes and a water hazard (set lower for eBikes), everyone realizes that there is little room to get any pedal-assist eBike up to maximum speed. These "Trials" style courses create the great equalizer which is the rider's skill at picking and navigating a line.
The analysis is similar to other professional sports where the competitor is using modified equipment to compete, but the brand and even the model could mimic the consumer offering.
From an audience standpoint, which is a feature typically foreign to most MTB races, being able to watch a competitor complete full laps from the comfort of a seat among the thousands of others inside the arena will be great fun. There will be live play-by-play announcements, music, and sound effects to pump up the energy.
The first two classes are for skilled recreational racers. One is exclusively for Class 1 pedal-assist eBikes, and the second is for a combination of both Class 1 and Class 3 pedal-assist eBikes. Here too we received pushback, but the reality is that both use the same drive systems and the only difference is the maximum speed. The standing start torque is that same!
Space to race is limited, but everyone is invited to compete!
If you want to read the full race rules here is the link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1mAtQtFUvnWIhoJYvexeg76B7aQnfHhGO
Competitors have questioned this inclusion but once they understand the race course, everyone quickly realizes that pure power will not necessarily guarantee a winner. On a tight, serpentine, obstacle course, filled with rocks, tires, trees, drainage tubes and a water hazard (set lower for eBikes), everyone realizes that there is little room to get any pedal-assist eBike up to maximum speed. These "Trials" style courses create the great equalizer which is the rider's skill at picking and navigating a line.
The analysis is similar to other professional sports where the competitor is using modified equipment to compete, but the brand and even the model could mimic the consumer offering.
From an audience standpoint, which is a feature typically foreign to most MTB races, being able to watch a competitor complete full laps from the comfort of a seat among the thousands of others inside the arena will be great fun. There will be live play-by-play announcements, music, and sound effects to pump up the energy.
The first two classes are for skilled recreational racers. One is exclusively for Class 1 pedal-assist eBikes, and the second is for a combination of both Class 1 and Class 3 pedal-assist eBikes. Here too we received pushback, but the reality is that both use the same drive systems and the only difference is the maximum speed. The standing start torque is that same!
Space to race is limited, but everyone is invited to compete!
If you want to read the full race rules here is the link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1mAtQtFUvnWIhoJYvexeg76B7aQnfHhGO
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