The XTERRA European Championship race in just two weeks away on September 2nd in Mons Klint, Denmark and one of the favorites to contend for the men’s elite title is Bradley Weiss from South Africa.

“Glad to report that I am healthy and injury free heading into this one,” said Weiss. “This has possibly been my most complicated year with injuries and small niggly setbacks, but that is the nature of getting older I suppose. It’s important to manage the body with the long season we have on the XTERRA World Tour.

Weiss has indeed had a long, and very successful season so far.  It started with a runner-up showing at XTERRA South Africa back in February, followed with a second-place showing at XTERRA Saipan, a win at XTERRA Philippines, a co-champions crown in Malaysia, then a successful string of races in Europe that included fourth-place finishes at XTERRA Belgium and France, and a third-place showing in Germany last weekend.

“Had a few ups and downs but overall I am happy so far,” exclaimed Weiss.  “High point was probably battling it out with the legend Richard Murray at our national championships and low point was puncturing out of XTERRA Switzerland while leading the race.”

Up next for Weiss are all the big ones.  First-up the XTERRA European Championship, then the XTERRA Pan America Championship (Sept. 16), and finally the XTERRA World Championship in Maui.

“My goal is always to win, but this second half of my season is all geared towards a solid showing in Maui so I am viewing all these races as stepping stones to the big dance in Hawaii come 29th October,” said Weiss.

New this year, and for the first time ever on the XTERRA World Tour, elites will have their own race day at the XTERRA European Championship on Saturday, September 2.

“The pro only format in Denmark is incredibly exciting,” said Weiss.  “I really believe that this is the future of our sport within the professional arena of XTERRA. Having a separate pro race allows the organizers to focus on our needs as professionals and it also allows the age group field to watch and hopefully learn a thing or two from the pros. It should be an awesome spectacle and I am super excited to be a part of it.”

The pro race course will consist of four 7.5km mountain bike loops complete with obstacles to navigate each time they start a new lap for the enjoyment of spectators.  The 10km run course features three laps that also pass through the arena, and organizers have set-up big screens showing live results.

As the last of 15 events on the 2017 XTERRA European Tour the elite field will be strong and deep. The race awards $25,000 USD in prize money to the top 10 men/women and distributes an additional $20,000 USD in bonuses to the top 10 in the final Euro Tour standings after the race.

Then on Sunday, September 3, the amateurs race for European Championship race and tour titles and the elites will be the cheerleaders.

“I will be around for the age group race on Sunday, and look forward to seeing them race as well,” said Weiss.

Learn more at www.xterraeurope.com.

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