Riders now have until Monday, Aug. 11 to sign up for the maiden Bosch eMTB Challenge in Whistler.
Since its origins in 2017, Bosch eMTB has become known as a standalone circuit that blends electric mountain bike racing and adventure. With existing stops in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Spain, the series is expanding into Canada for the first time.
"While eMTB racing is firmly established in Europe, North America riders haven’t had the chance to experience this thrilling format on their home soil," said Claus Fleischer, CEO of Bosch eBike Systems, in a press release. "Crankworx is the perfect backdrop for the eMTB Challenge, and we anticipate some fierce competition among amateurs attending to spectate, riders from the industry racing against their co-workers and peers, and pro riders looking to compete for prestige and prizes."
The event features three divisions. Amateur and Advanced require its participants to complete five and six stages, respectively, for a total of 35-odd kilometres and 1,000 to 1,500 metres of elevation gain. Each timed stage involves both uphill and downhill sections with no training runs, while untimed transfer zones focus on navigation by allowing riders to use bike computers and other devices.
New this year is the Pro category. Once the UCI put its EDR-E (e-enduro) World Cup on hold, Bosch decided to launch an alternative for professional athletes to compete and maintain the visibility of e-biking as a sport. Pros tackle seven stages in Whistler, two of which are meant to push the limits of what's feasible.
Monetary prizes of $800, $400 and $200 will be awarded to male and female podium finishers alike. The top 10 riders in each race accumulate points throughout the season as well: €3,000 (about CDN$4,786) is at stake for overall victory in the Pro Series, €2,000 (CDN$3,190) for second place and €1,000 (CDN$1,595) for third.
"The success of the series has overwhelmed us," said Claudia Wasko, VP/GM of Bosch eBike Systems Americas, despite the fact that Bosch never intended to replace the UCI EDR-E circuit. "There are racing teams that are relying entirely on our Pro Series for the 2025 season, and the feedback from highly successful riders has been excellent. This is the first season with a Pro Series, and we are truly delighted with the tremendous response.
"But the best thing was and remains: the Bosch eMTB Challenge concept enables riders with very different skill levels to have a great and thrilling day on the e-bike together, and that's what it’s all about."
'We've seen seasoned cross-country pros discover they know nothing'
Folks unfamiliar with eMTB might assume the sport revolves around making mountain biking easier. However, e-bikes actually unlock new possibilities: climbing steep technical slopes and gradients insurmountable without motorized aid.
"What's fascinating about eMTB racing is how it demands completely different skills than traditional mountain biking," Wasko elaborated. "You can't just be a great downhill rider and expect to win—you need universal technical abilities. The races are designed to find the fastest complete e-bike rider, which means mastering uphill stages, navigating technical sections and handling those tricky 'no feet zones' where putting your foot down costs you five seconds.
"Whistler's terrain is actually perfect for showcasing this: the technical variety and elevation changes here will really test riders' ability to adapt their motor management across different conditions. The local trails everyone knows and loves become completely different tactical puzzles when you add battery strategy into the mix. So the real game-changer is learning to work with your motor perfectly."
Battery management approaches can vary depending on the vehicle and race format at hand. Relatively small power units force athletes to play chess on longer stages, only going full throttle when it matters most.
Bosch's local course will not be unveiled until race day, but fans may wish to take note of potential viewing areas. The base of Blackcomb on Rabbit Tracks is a good starting point, while Angry Pirate offers a harder-to-reach alternative. There's also the finish area and timing flats in Creekside.
Whether you're throwing your name in the hat or just spectating, Wasko suggests you don't underestimate the demands of eMTB racing—nor its rewards.
"You need to learn everything from scratch. Attack timing, energy management, riding technique, it all changes when you add that motor assistance," she remarked. "We've seen seasoned cross-country pros discover they know nothing about this new discipline. The power shifts the whole focus from pure physical endurance to mastering that critical interaction between rider and machine. It's familiar enough to feel like mountain biking, but different enough to keep even veterans learning."
For more Bosch eMTB Challenge details and registration, visit crankworx.com/whistler/events/bosch-emtb-challenge.
