2025 Cheile Grădiștei Round is ready to make history

WES brings World e-mountain biking to Eastern Europe to a spectacular complex

Monaco (P.ty), Wednesday 11 June – The 2025 WES UCI E-MTB XC World Cup season is ready to begin with a bang on June 14-15. Kicking things off is the Cheile Grădiștei Round, introducing a brand-new venue, new riders and teams, and plenty more excitement.

The stunning mountain sports complex of Cheile Grădiștei, between Moieciu de Jos and Fundata, roughly 30 km from Brașov, will host the riders on what promises to be one of the most challenging WES tracks ever created.

For the first time in Eastern Europe, Reigning World Cup Winner Anna Spielmann (Haibike) from Austria returns to defend her title after a standout performance last season. Standing in her way is 2024 UCI E-MTB XC Women’s World Champ, the German Sofia Wiedenroth (Specialized), along with a host of ambitious newcomers ready to shake up the track.

New faces and a comeback

This season introduces several promising debutants, such as Swiss Santina Malacarne, set to race alongside fellow countryman Lukas Dennda for the Bergstrom Factory Racing Team. Also making their mark are Catalonia’s Giulia Rodriguez Morente (Bafang Factory Artesana) and Italy’s Giulia Bertoni, who joins the ranks of the debutant Teewing Factory Team.

Meanwhile, the Swiss National Champ Joris Ryf (Specialized) is looking to earn important points to fight for the glory throughout the season, against his eternal rival Jérôme Gilloux (Lapierre Overvolt), who will not be on the starting grid in this season opener.

Italian Champion Mirko Tabacchi will be riding for his new team, Thok Askoll, ready for the battle. Jeroen van Eck (GHOST Bikes Racing Team) will do the same, and why not Adrián Cuellar (Bafang Factory Artesana), who impressed last year with a pole position and a podium at his debut in the World Cup.

Also, Frenchman Théo Charmes (Teewing Factory Team) makes his return to WES, again as a podium contender, in his new colours.

This first event will be characterised by a notable mix of nationalities, with participants from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Slovakia and Romania.

Regulations

Looking through the regulations, the double E-XC race format is confirmed again. Women and Men compete together to promote inclusivity in WES events, the starting grid being determined by a new Qualirace format that can differ from one track to another.

This round will see a shorter lap than the normal race lap, to make riders face a different challenge to qualify for their starting position.

A motor power limitation of 750W was introduced to facilitate fair and reasonable competition at this stage, while a brand-new control system is being developed and will be tested after Summer, to improve the e-bike checks process in this continuously evolving sport.

Cheile Grădiștei Round course promises a much technical opener to the 2025 WES calendar and a milestone for the series.

Entry Lists, Race Live Timing and Results HERE
WES Cheile Grădiștei Round Event Schedule and Race Maps HERE
For further info: http://www.worldebikesseries.com