The terms derive from English. Cross and Enduro competitions have always thrilled the international audience.
Racing on dirt roads represents an extreme challenge for centaurs. A little carelessness is enough to lead to serious injuries. The disciplines on motocross bikes are so exciting that many former MotoGP riders have tried their hand at challenges on the track.
The word enduro derives from the English “endurance”, or “resistance”. It is a discipline that is practiced on dirt roads and in all weather conditions. Pilots must be ready to face any terrain and adverse weather conditions. Until the 1970s the challenges were called with the Italian term regularity. These were specialties on impervious routes, with average speeds and pre-established times of use, in compliance with the laws.
The category was successful in Europe and then spread to the rest of the world, achieving a large following. Italy has had several champions. There is a tendency to confuse the world of enduro with that of cross, but they are two different things. These are two disciplines that are often assimilated but have distinct characteristics.
This discipline was born and evolved in Europe and then spread to the rest of the world, enjoying great success. The competitions take place in different environments, on different bikes and the regulations to which they are subject are also opposite. The first big difference between enduro and cross, in fact, revolves around the reference regulations of the vehicles. Enduro motorbikes must be homologated by the CDS, because the circuits are roads open to traffic.
Enduro, a world of differences with cross
Cross motorbikes, on the other hand, are driven on dirt tracks and since they are closed circuits they do not require approval to the Highway Code. The circuits, therefore, are different. Road enduro motorcycles run on rough roads and even on roads open to traffic. Cross bikes, on the other hand, compete on special circuits with vertical elevation, to increase performance in last-ditch challenges.
On a technical level, of course, motocross bikes are more extreme. The size of the tires, the suspension setting while driving and the engine output change. Cross races are based on speed and the competitors start together towards the finish line, enduro motorbike races are based more on the rider’s ability, in terms of experience, rather than top speed. Furthermore, in Dakar style, they start in a staggered fashion.
The winner is not the one who crosses the finish line first, but the rider who obtained the highest score, adding those obtained in the various tests. The skills of centaurs are therefore very different. An enduro career can last much longer. From certain points of view, pure cross is more fun. We start together and the first to cross the finish line wins, just like MotoGP.
Enduro is differentiated into classic enduro, superenduro (in indoor challenges) and hard race (now called enduro country) on closed circuits with the presence or absence of natural or artificial obstacles lasting 4-6-8-12 hours, to be performed in pairs teams (pair hard race) or solo (hard race Marathon). Whoever completes the most laps within the set maximum time wins.
