Privateers are the lifeblood in the heart of enduro. Jaume Betriu, Will Hoare and Rannar Uusna tell their stories of racing alongside some of the biggest names at some of the biggest events in 2018.
The blood that flows in to the heart of enduro is the privateers. The biggest event of 2018 take on riders to shine and showcase their talents away from factory racing teams deserving more credit from all efforts, trainings, and preparations at their own expenses.
In 2018 we witnessed a new championship emerge, the World Enduro Super Series (WESS), which held an establish epic enduro events like ErzbergRodeo, Romaniacs, Trefle Lozerien and round seven upcoming, the Gotland Grand National.
A vital part also for WESS are privateers able to compete and race alongside with the sport’s biggest names and participating with full excitement at own cause. It’s all about the riders and equally all about enduro which is why, as a championship, WESS has engrossed attention from a dedicated bunch of privateers keen to show their talents and speed against riders such as Taddy Blazusiak and Graham Jarvis. Power to the privateers, Rannar Uusna, William Hoare and Jaume Betriu will dip toes into WESS this year and up to the challenge.
William Hoare will compete also after participating in four rounds to date continuing his notable success this year. Despite being a self-supported privateer, this 19-year-old phenom had showed a real potential for Enduro spirit performing with high level of intensity.
William Hoare said: “I’ve managed to do four rounds of WESS this year but the last two at Red Bull 111 Megawatt and Hawkstone Park Cross-Country have been my best results yet. At Extreme XL Lagares I was ill on race day and wasn’t able to finish. It was my first time racing the Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble and I was pleased with 50th, reaching Checkpoint 19. I returned for the Red Bull 111 Megawatt and was really happy with how things went considering it was my first time there and I had a mechanical issue. My front brake stopped working on lap one resulting in some scary riding on the big sandy downhills. However, I feel like I showed my potential with 15th at Hawkstone Park Cross-Country.”
The Spanish National Enduro and former world champion, Jaume Betriu, is naturally most at home in epic enduro in classic and cross-country races. Starting his campaign, Betriu signed up for Red Bull 111 Megawatt and finished 12th to secure a spot on the main event. Although the Spaniard finished 14th overall, he impressed himself by competing against big names and dipping inside the top ten before finishing outside.
Jaume Betriu said: “I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect. I was very interested by the mixed discipline format of WESS and decided to come and try it,” explains Betriu. “Unfortunately, with other championship commitments I was only able to do three rounds – Trèfle Lozérien AMV, Red Bull 111 Megawatt and finally Hawkstone Park Cross-Country. Trèfle Lozérien and Hawkstone Park were the type of races I know best but Red Bull 111 Megawatt was my first Hard Enduro.”
“The opening lap of the race was tough but then I found a good rhythm on lap two and gained some places back. But the last lap didn’t go to plan, I got tired and crashed a few times and finished 14th. But you have to take the first time as a learning year and now that I know what to expect I want to go back and finish inside the top 10, or better.”
Making a name from Estonia, Rannar Uusna has been on a level of regular competitor in WESS. Participating in all six rounds, Uusna expects more on what’s on the spot for the next round. With two rounds remaining, the Estonian native look to end his 2018 run on a high note and competing near his home place with a never-say-die attitude at all times.
Ranna Uusna said: “Overall, my season has been steady. I’ve collected points at every round except Red Bull Romaniacs where I had to stop on the penultimate day. The WESS appealed to me because it’s a little bit of everything in Enduro, you’ve got hard pack, sand and muddy terrain. One race is Hard Enduro, the next is Classic Enduro or a Cross-Country and I like that mixture because every race is always a different challenge.”
“My best result so far was 16th at Hawkstone Park. I enjoyed it even though I had some bike issues along the way, but I feel like my result could have been much better. The next round is Gotland and I’m looking forward to it because it is the closest WESS event to my home in Estonia and conditions will be similar.”
