- Xross Team®
Miha Spindler from Slovenia, one of the best and most experienced Hard Enduro riders, is once again on the start list for Xross Challenge. It will be his fourth time at the biggest and toughest Hard Enduro race in Serbia, and in the previous three he ended up on the podium – in 2015 as Xross Challenge winner, then in 2016. and 2017. he was in third place.
Spindler is in motorsport all his life, he had a very successful career in Motocross before he switched to Hard Enduro, where he ensured his place amongst the best riders in the world. Miha is riding in the PRO class and so far he has been participating in some of the world's toughest and biggest races such as Red Bull Romaniacs, Sea To Sky, and famous Erzbergrodeo – he was there recently.
Miha Spindler at Xross Challenge / Photo by Predrag Vuckovic
Before the fifth edition of the Xross Challenge race we had a little chat with Miha, he talked to us about the new season, what are his biggest challenges in Hard Enduro, and what are his expectations at Tara mountain.
You recently came back from Erzbergrodeo, what are your impressions, give us some details from the race, and tell us how was the start of the season for you?
I started this season with a race in Toscana in Italy, then Erzbergrodeo came after that. Everybody knows that is the hardest race in the world. I was hoping to see the finish line, but the organizer of the race is making it more difficult every year, so I couldn’t make it to the end this time. However, I am very satisfied with how it all went. I had a good ride at a Prologue and I secured my place in the first row in the main race. The hardest point is Carl’s Dinner, that spot decides who is going further, and who is not. I manage to go through some parts of the race but I lost a lot of time compared to other riders and at CP 21 I stopped – I run out of time.
Photo: Predrag Vuckovic
Where else do you plan to ride this season?
From those major races, I am planning to ride Roof Of Africa, and I plan to ride some regional races – Xross Challenge, Extreme Enduro Fenix in Bosnia, and Enduro Lika in Croatia. That is it, for now.
What do you like the most in Hard Enduro, what parts of the race are the most challenging for you?
I love to ride long, fast uphills, they are hard, but you can go at full throttle. So, I like fast sections when you can get a rest a little bit. If everything is just hard and you are pulling your bike it is not fun. It has to be a little bit of everything.
Photo: Mihai Stetcu
This will be your fourth time at Xross Challenge, and by now you know pretty well how Tara mountain can be merciless. Do you have some advice for young riders or for those who are coming to our race for the first time?
The race is good, the organization of the race is as it should be, the most important thing for all riders is that they need to know how to choose the right class. PRO class is always hard and it’s not for riders who are not excellent. In general, the track is really good, you have hard parts, but there are also parts that you can rest a bit. And if you can’t push up the hill alone, there is always help.
Photo: Mihai Stetcu
We are always happy to see you as a contestant and as a guest at Xross Challenge, tell us what are you expecting from this edition of our race?
I always love to come to Xross Challenge, mainly because of the team behind the race and because of the audience – those are the people I know and they are my very good friends, so it means a lot to me to spend some time with them. At Xross Challenge I feel like I am at home. I will give my best at the race, hopefully, that will bring me some good results, but I don’t chase the podium spot – if it happens – it happens, as I said before the most important thing is to have a good time and a good ride during those couple of days.
Xross Challenge podium: Zec, Bertl and Spindler / Photo by Aleksandar Dmitrovic
The same goes for you, no matter if you are riding, or you are just a fan – come and have a good time with us. The fifth edition of Xross Challenge from 15th till 17th of June – see you at Tara mountain.
