Christchurch mountain biker Charles Murray is back for more as he looks to top his third overall placing from last year. The Enduro rider is on his way to California on Thursday for the first races of the 2025 season.
“I’ve got some big goals, I had a good season last year, so I want to try and back that up this year.
“If it all goes to plan, I should be in a pretty good position to be fighting for the overall title.”
World Cup Enduro racing sees riders tackle four to five timed downhill stages and the transfers between them. The grueling days can be up to eight hours long, with the winner the rider with the lowest combined time on the downhills.
Murray will race briefly in the U.S before heading to Europe for the start of the UCI rounds.
“It’ll be straight into the World Cup from there in Pietra Ligure, which we always have, sort of the start of the season.”
Murray rides full-time for the Specialized Enduro team and will be running their latest bike, the Stumpjumper 15.
“It’s a bit less travel on the suspension compared to what a lot of the boys ride, but it just means it's more maneuverable, and if I do my gym work properly, then I can still hold on to it when it's rough.”
His training coming into the season was interrupted by a torn ankle ligament at the start of this year.
“The fitness is pretty good, but just the technical skills, we haven't done as much as I wanted because of this ankle.
“I’m probably feeling in as good shape as last year, or maybe slightly better.”
