The series is sponsored by SRAM and this partnership looks set to flourish, with the company showing their continuing support of the series, and making their intentions clear for 2012, by entering a large number of their staff, from both the European and American branches, into the event. Other high profile entries included World Cup Champion Tracey Moseley in the women’s, ‘Freeride Legend’ Richie Schley in Masters, UCI delegate Chris Ball (in the pub?), ten time World Champion Nicolas Vouilloz, ‘dab–hand at photography’ Victor Lucas and all–round pinner Dan Atherton.

The field was stacked to the brim with not only big name riders and industry folk, but also several hundred amateur racers and weekend warriors keen not only to try their hand against the brutal course and the pro riders, but also to enjoy a long weekend of quality mountain biking.

Events run by Enrico Guala (the Super Enduro series founder) and his team are perhaps the most seamlessly executed examples of how racing should be done that I can think of, and the race in Finale was no exception. The town square, which opens onto the perfect sand and shimmering blue sea of the Med, was taken over for the weekend by the event’s teams, organisation and facilities, with an impressive looking collection of awnings and stands giving a professional image that grabbed the attention of all passers–by. The amount of effort that goes into making these events look the part and to attract spectators, riders and sponsors is unprecedented.

Race proceedings kicked off on Saturday night with the ‘Prologue’ stage, which was essentially a sub one minute sprint around the streets of Finale and a regular feature of the Super Enduro series. Fans lined the course – some of whom knew the sport and some who didn’t – and every rider was presented on the large stage before having their go at out–sprinting the field and attempting not to crash on the one hairpin. The track was no revolution in course design but it really did do the job of creating a friendly atmosphere and bringing the whole event right into the town – something that all race series and disciplines should take note of. After the Prologue, most riders opted to sample the selection of bars and to test the beers on offer (a mission that several pro racers and the SRAM staff took into their hands with the utmost dedication) before calling it a night and preparing body and mind for the big day. The vibe was relaxed and enthusiastic.

Race day at an Enduro event is never going to be easy; testing body and equipment is part of the attraction of the discipline after all. With the Italian sunshine and the many kilometres of tarmac to be tackled, this was truly an event set to test. To say that the course was taxing would be an ever–so–slight understatement, in fact some riders did not make it to the finish line and even several high–profile entrants suffered cramping and exhaustion, but the organiser’s choice of route could not be faulted by anyone. A long day of bike riding this certainly was, with the overall times (the five stages added together) ranging from just over 27 minutes for winner Remy Absalon to around an hour for the slower riders (without major technical issues), and that’s forgetting the many hours of pedalling in–between. Yet as each rider made their final appearance on the central stage, finalising their epic day, every single one of them raised a smile and was happy with the ride.

Riders eventually finished rolling in to the arena some time after 5 pm and the day’s events were unveiled: Clementz (Jerome) had suffered a plethora of mechanicals; Vouilloz had given it his all but was unhappy with his form, although he still finished in second place behind Remy Absalon; Dan Atherton attacked and finished a respectable fourth; the UK’s Al Stock did his nation proud in fifth and Italian Davide Sottocornola slotted into third. In the ladies category Tracey Moseley unsurprisingly took the honours with top cross country racer Tanja Zakelj and local pinner Louise Paulin in second and third respectively. The top rider’s results were only a small part of the story though, this is Enduro and racing is for everyone. Some riders were on a mission, some were just riding for the sake of riding; some loved the racing, some were simply enjoying the weekend away. This was not a race as I knew it; this was a complete event – something close to the early mountain bike ‘festivals’ and with the atmosphere, location and cross–section of the sport to support it.