Ten time downhill World Champion, Nico Vouilloz, has announed he will be stepping down from full time enduro racing.
Vouilloz confirmed that Finale Ligure would be his final event as a full time racer yesterday. He is not stopping racing completely however as he has already hinted at plans to do the Rotorua EWS next year and a number of stage races. We are also sure he will race ebikes and help with development for Lapierre.
Nico first retired from downhill in 2002 after winning his tenth World title to focus on mass start downhill and rally. It was enduro that drew him back into racing but it seems after four seasons he’s had his fill and will be stepping down for good.
Vouilloz told Vital: “I’m happy to finish at the same time as Anne Caro although I did one more day than her. I really enjoy racing at this level. I am really happy that the Enduro World Series exists and I’ve just turned 40 and it’s too hard. I like bikes, I like racing, just time to do something else.”
Nico won one EWS race back in 2013 and has picked up a handful of podiums, including two in his final season. He still leaves the sport as one of the greatest of all time though with ten World Championship and 16 World Cup wins to his name. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours and thank him for everything he’s done for the sport.
It was a bittersweet weekend for enduro in Finale as fellow legend Anne Caroline Chausson also elected to step down. However, there was a flush a young blood too as 19-year-old Martin Maes took his first ever senior win and Richie Rude won his second championship at 21.
