The 2025 UCI Enduro World Championships at Aletsch and Bellwald in Switzerland, delivered a stern test for the ARA Australian Cycling Team enduro riders, with wet conditions across five stages making racing unpredictable and unforgiving.
Australia’s elite men’s hopes were trimmed early with Dan Booker ruled out through ongoing injury, leaving Jack Moir and Thomas Locke to carry the national colours.
Locke, 22, impressed early, setting a personal-best 26th in the single opening stage after an adjusted schedule due to adverse weather conditions.
Thomas Locke recorded a PB on the first stage of the race.
But as the rain took hold on day two the Canberra rider found the going tough, eventually placing 42nd overall.
“Unfortunately, I crashed on the second last corner, but it was only a quick one,” he said.
“The week has been epic and hope I am back next year.”
For Moir, the championship marked a return to the Swiss venue where he won a Whoop Enduro World Series round in 2024.
But the Novocastrian admitted he was still finding his rhythm after a recent injury layoff.
Jack Moir racing on Stage 3 of the Enduro World Championships.
“I wasn’t up to pace this year, and the conditions and course were gnarly,” he said finishing down the ladder in 74th.
In the junior women’s race, newly crowned Enduro Junior Women’s World Cup champion Lacey Adams showed her class after a difficult start.
Sitting fifth after the opening stage, the Tasmanian fought back strongly to place third on Stage 1 the following day.
But Adams would struggle to keep the momentum eventually consolidating a spot among the top contenders just off the podium with 4th overall.
Lacey Adams would miss the podium by one place after 5 stages.
There was heartbreak for Ryan Gilchrist in the e-enduro.
After storming to third place on the opening stage, his campaign ended abruptly with a crash on Stage 3 that forced him to withdraw.
The 2025 UCI MTB World Championships continues this weekend with the marathon and downhill titles to be decided in Verbier and Champèry.
Results
Men Elite
🥇 Richie Rude (USA) +0.00
🥈 Slawomir Lukasik (POL) +2.50
🥉 Elliot Jamieson (CAN) +20.58
42 Thomas Locke (AUS) +2:14.70
74 Jack Moir (AUS) +3:15.32
Men Elite E-MTB
🥇Adrien Dailly (FRA) +0.00🥈Hugo Pigeon (FRA) +30.20
🥉Damien Oton (FRA) +34.61
DNF Ryan Gilchrist (AUS)
Women Junior
🥇 Neźka Libnik (SLO) +0.00🥈 Elise Porta (FRA) +41.61
🥉 Elena Frei (SUI) +1:30.97
4 Lacey Adams (AUS)1:51.63
Full results can be found here.
Photo Credit: SWPix