For 2018, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Rock Star Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing have announced that they will officially compete in the newly established World Enduro Super Series (WESS), starting with Portugal's Extreme XL Lagares on May 11-13.
Giving the series its full attention, KTM will have five riders competing in the entire eight-round championship with Taddy Blazusiak, Josep Garcia, Jonny Walker, Cody Webb and Nathan Watson; Husqvarna will field four riders - Graham Jarvis, Colton Haaker, Alfredo Gomez and Billy Bolt.
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| Graham Jarvis – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing |
Effectively a new multi-discipline series, WESS will address the increasing diversification of enduro sport by bringing together selected Hard Enduro, Classic Enduro, Cross-Country and Beach Race style events into one championship.
KTM says that of particular interest to both brands “is the fact that amateur riders will compete alongside professionals in all events. Collectively, the series will bring together many thousands of competitors and spectators, ensuring high levels of engagement with fans at each stop of the series.
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| Jonny Walker - KTM 300 EXC - Extreme XL Lagares - 2017 |
“Through extensive TV, print and new media coverage the championship and its eight unique and diverse races will enjoy extensive specialist and mainstream exposure.
“Requiring a wide range of skills and techniques, the WESS will challenge riders in ways no other series has in recent years. All competitors will need to adapt and rise to new challenges in order to be crowned the Ultimate Enduro Champion.”
After the Extreme XL Lagares in Portugal, the 2018 WESS will take in the Erzberg Rodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble (Austria), Le Trefle Lozerien AMV (France), Red Bull Romaniacs (Romania), Red Bull 111 Megawatt (Poland), Gotland Grand National (Sweden) and the Red Bull Knock Out in the Netherlands. One additional round is still to be confirmed.
