The motorsports electrification is here to stay. More categories are deciding to enter into clean energies or to debut under this technology. WES World E-Bike Series is included, through which since inception has combined sustainability, speed and adrenaline on two wheels.
This electric bike series started in 2019 as an international E-Mountain Bike event. However, the following year took a real step into the future after becoming the first World Cup exclusively for electric bikes. The attraction from manufacturers as well as riders showed up, and although there is still a long way to go, there is no doubt that the future of the category is promising.
The talent, strength and conviction of the riders, combined with the power of the electric motor, are three of the main characteristics of WES. This was pointed out in an exclusive interview with Green Racing News by Valentina Conti, who serves as Managing Director of this series.
One of the details that stands out in this series is the combination of the rider’s talent with the power of the electric motor, which is evidenced by a great performance. The human skills stand out and blend with the correct and timely management of the battery and power unit.
In addition, the ‘battery saving’ factor also plays an important role, similar to Formula E, because if the battery runs out before the end of the race, things will get complicated for competitors. The riders’ weight influences the amount of energy used by the bike to move quickly; finally, a mixture of factors must be accounted for in order to compete properly.
When the Managing Director was asked about the determining factors leading the bike and motor manufacturers to emerge as winners, she did not hesitate to answer, based on recent WES 2021 winners’ experiences: BH E-Racing Team / Brose in women, and E-Team Moustache / Bosch, in men.
“For BH E-Racing Team, this was based on the light weight of cyclist Mélanie Pugin, using this factor to prolong the battery charge over a race distance. The use of turbo mode for most of the circuit was also a determining factor,” Valentina revealed.
The Managing Director went on to add that, E-Team Moustache was able to win alongside driver Jérôme Gilloux due to the connection between him and the engine developer, Bosch. “Gilloux is the undisputed specialist of electric bike racing and he is also lightweight, which means he can get to the end of a race with 40% battery remaining,” she maintained.
“For WES, the performance, strategy and overall ranking results combination is very interesting, as we aim to represent the best platform for all bike and motor manufacturers to develop their products,” Conti continued.
WES World E-Bike Series Outlook for 2022
With all the information gathered since the beginning, for the 2022 season, the WES World E-Bike Series will offer a series of novelties. This is what Valentina Conti revealed. “The countries that competed in 2021 are being confirmed for the new campaign, while the category is in talks with three new venues to move the excitement of electric bikes across their borders.”
In addition, the sustainable vision is always present as one of the main elements of the competition. “There will be broader participation at electronic festivals and enhanced collaborations with electric mobility initiatives, as well as a stronger climate commitment by supporting renewable energies and electronic transition,” said Conti.
Thus, it was revealed that the prestigious Charade circuit has been confirmed for the coming season, characterized by having everything necessary to host a race of this magnitude, with the addition that more circuits are increasingly joining in to host sustainable sporting events of this magnitude.
Finally, the WES World E-Bike Series has shown incredible potential to continue evolving over the years. Since it arrived in 2019 through the upcoming 2022 season, the interest, growth and solidification has been considerable. As such, it has everything going for it to grow and become a pioneer in electrified bike racing.
Written by | Ronald Ortega
