2022 WES UCI E-MTB XC World Cup season kicks off at the Monaco Round Presented by SMEG

Monaco (P.ty) Wednesday 20 April 2022 – The traditional WES Season Opener will once again take place in the Principality of Monaco and Peille (France) next 23-24 April. For the third year in a row, the event will be Presented by SMEG, the Monegasque Electricity and Gas Company.

The ancient French commune overlooking the Monegasque bay will host the WES series on its spectacular trails for the fourth time in a row, the third as a World Cup, confirming its commitment to World racing and its strong tradition of MTB terrain, started back in the mid-90s. 

Reigning Women’s UCI E-MTB XC World Champion, the Swiss Nicole Göldi (Trek) will make her debut in the World Cup and face well-known names at WES such as fellow countrywoman Nathalie Schneitter (Trek/Bosch) and the Austrian Jacqueline Mariacher (Fantic), both podium finishers in 2021.
Additional new entries of note will compete in WES Women’s field for the first time: Justine Tonso (Lapierre Overvolt) and Estelle Charles (Specialized), the latter joining German teammate and WES permanent rider Sofia Wiedenroth.

“The Specialist”, 2021 WES World Cup Winner, Jérôme Gilloux will show up in his rainbow jersey with the new team Lapierre Overvolt for the first time. The Frenchman won all the races held on the Monaco-Peille course, so far, since 2019, outstandingly confident on his home racetrack. He will find a determined Joris Ryf (Bergstrom Werksmannschaft) from Switzerland, podium finisher at each appearance in this Round, and compatriot Théo Charmes (Team AOTL/Cube), who finished 2nd and 3rd overall, respectively last year.

Fourth overall in 2021, Dutchman Jeroen van Eck, under the flag of Ghost Racing Team in 2022, is expecting to be very much competitive and will battle for the top-3. This season will see the return of his country fellow Kjell van den Boogert (CST PostNL Bafang MTB Racing Team/American Eagle) lined up by Team Manager Bart Brentjens.

Looking through the race regulations, no major changes from last year’s rule book will apply in 2022. Double E-XC race format confirmed, Women and Men competing together, the starting grid being determined by the Qualirace, the morning’s timed trial lap, introducing a fresh-new award in 2022: the Pole Position Powered by Raspini. This will be awarded to the Athletes (Woman and Man) setting the fastest time during the Qualirace. Those recording the highest number of fastest laps at the end of the season will receive the final award and attractive prize money.

Monaco Round will finally be open to the public for this edition and some new activities are planned for spectators and amateurs who can access the paddock, meet the champs, watch the races, test the World Cup track on their own e-bikes or rent one on-site. The new “E-Bike Fest” format aims to be a fest for anyone close to or wishing to get closer to E-Mountain Biking, at the home of this sport. Free admittance with registration available HERE.

• Entry Lists, Race Live Timing and Results HERE
• WES Monaco Round Event Schedule and Race Maps HERE
• Download the photogallery HERE
• Download this Press Release in PDF format HERE