Crankworx to Rebuild Enduro After World Cup Collapse

In 2026 Warner Bros. Discovery Sports and the UCI confirmed there will be no Enduro World Cup series next season. The decision left a major calendar gap for pro enduro athletes and for the brands that invest in them. Within 24 hours Crankworx — the festival and race organizer best known for its Whistler slopestyle and pump track spectacles — announced a plan to launch a global Enduro race series starting in 2027. You can read Crankworx’s official release here: crankworx.com.

Crankworx is positioning the series as a celebration of the mountain bike community and is promising a calendar that focuses on fun, adventure, and participation while still providing a consistent international stage for elite athletes. The Canadian Open Enduro at Whistler is already locked in as a headline event.

The UCI/WBD partnership attempted to professionalize enduro with a World Cup-style format, centralized governance, and broadcast-driven economics. That model has strengths — consistent rules, global branding, and TV deals — but it also introduced friction. Riders and local organizers repeatedly flagged issues: high logistical costs, compressed stages that favored specific tracks, and a calendar that didn’t always align with iconic destination riding.

Crankworx’s announcement suggests a pivot away from that centralized, broadcast-first mindset toward a model that emphasizes destination events, community access, and broader participation. If the new series wants to succeed, it needs to learn from three key failings: 1) alienating grassroots and regional organizers, 2) making racing too costly for smaller teams and privateers, and 3) prioritizing broadcast packaging over rider experience on the trails.

Crankworx is clear about intentions: return enduro to its roots — fun, adventure, access, and community. That means events built around celebrated trail destinations, integrated festival programming, and open opportunities for non-pro participation alongside elite fields. Greg Callaghan, legendary Enduro racer, praised the move: “It’s really exciting to see a new international Enduro series starting up, especially when the people behind it have as much Enduro experience as the Crankworx crew.”

Practically, riders can expect classic Crankworx touches — village-style sponsor zones, on-site bike demos (RockShox, Fox, SRAM, Shimano and wheel/tire brands), and spectator-friendly race formats. Crankworx is inviting interested destinations to contact enduro@crankworx.com to join the calendar.

Interviews with pro riders and U.S. venue directors (sourced from public commentary and past event feedback) highlight a few priorities: fair prize distribution for deeper fields, lower travel and logistics costs, stage design that rewards technical skill rather than just speed, and events that celebrate local trail cultures. Venues like Whistler and Rotorua (Whakarewarewa) want headline status without losing their identity as destination rides.

For racers this also means equipment choices matter. Most enduro pros will run bikes in the 150–170mm travel range: Santa Cruz Nomad (160mm), Specialized Enduro (170mm), Trek Slash (160mm). Expect fork choices like Fox 38 or RockShox ZEB, 29/27.5+ wheel setups depending on terrain, and drivetrain kits from SRAM GX/XX1 Eagle or Shimano XT/ XTR. Tire picks will trend toward Maxxis Assegai EXO+ or Schwalbe Magic Mary depending on conditions.

If you’re a racer or privateer planning to target Crankworx’s 2027 series, optimize for reliability and trail versatility. Recommended race kit: 150–170mm full-suspension trail/enduro bike (see models above), 35–50mm inner-width rims with 2.4–2.6" tires in grippy compounds, 200mm rotors front/rear on technical descents for consistent braking, and a 150–180mm dropper post (OneUp, Fox Transfer).

Protection matters: full-face helmet options (TLD D4, Bell Full-9), Level 2 or 3 back protectors, knee and shin guards (G-Form, Leatt), and a lightweight hydration pack for long transfer stages. For teams, prioritize a robust spares kit (extra chain, derailleur hanger, seals for Fox/RockShox forks) and plan travel logistics around shipping wheels/frames rather than renting locally to reduce costs.

One central question is who should control professional enduro. The UCI offers global governance but can be bureaucratic; private promoters like Crankworx offer agility and festival infrastructure but must guard against commercial overreach. A hybrid model could work: event promoters run the races while a rider council helps set sporting rules, safety standards, and points systems. That arrangement would preserve event diversity while protecting athlete interests.

Media and sponsorship should also be rethought. Instead of a single broadcaster dictating formats, a multi-platform approach — short-form video for social, long-form for streaming, live timing apps — will reach modern audiences. Sponsors want engaged communities and measurable ROI; Crankworx’s festival model offers experiential activation that traditional World Cup broadcasts sometimes missed.

The immediate next steps are clear: finalize a 2027 calendar, recruit iconic destinations, and engage rider representatives. Crankworx has already confirmed the iconic Canadian Open Enduro at Whistler and is recruiting other destinations; venues interested in participating can contact enduro@crankworx.com. Expect Crankworx to announce further calendar details in the coming months.

If you’re a rider, team, brand, or venue: start internal planning now. Decide which events fit your program, budget for travel and spares, and keep an eye on any rider council or consultation opportunities. For fans and local trail advocates, engage early with destination organizers to ensure local trail stewardship and community benefits are front and center.

Why was the Enduro World Cup cancelled?

Warner Bros. Discovery Sports and the UCI decided there would be no Enduro World Cup next season. Public statements point to financial and strategic considerations in broadcasting and calendar alignment. The cancellation created a vacuum for pro-level enduro racing that Crankworx aims to fill starting in 2027.

When does the Crankworx global enduro series start?

Crankworx announced plans to launch the global Enduro race series beginning in 2027. Specific calendar dates and additional destinations will be announced in the months leading up to the launch.

Which events are already confirmed for the new series?

The Canadian Open Enduro at Crankworx Whistler is confirmed as part of the new series. Crankworx has invited other destinations to join and is recruiting additional venues globally.

How can venues apply to host an event?

Interested destinations can contact Crankworx directly at enduro@crankworx.com. Organizers should be prepared to outline trail quality, logistics, accommodation capacity, local community support, and festival infrastructure.

Will the new Crankworx series include grassroots participation?

Crankworx emphasizes access and community. The plan is to build events that combine elite pro racing with participation options for amateurs, e-bike categories, and festival-style activities, preserving the social and destination aspects of enduro.

What should pro riders and teams do now?

Teams should begin scenario planning: review 2027 budgets, decide which destination events fit your program, lock in travel partners, and prepare equipment spares. Engage with Crankworx and any rider-representative groups to shape rules and calendar priorities.

How will media coverage and sponsorship likely change?

Expect a multi-platform media approach — short-form social, long-form streaming, and enhanced live timing — rather than a single traditional broadcast partner. Sponsors may favor the experiential, village-style activations Crankworx is known for, which offer stronger fan engagement and hospitality opportunities.