Bosch Adds "Industry Challenge" to the First Ever eMTB Race at Sea Otter 2016

Sea Otter has added the eMTB race event to their full line up of Enduro, Cross Country, Dual Slalom, Downhill, and other events for the 2016 season. This race, co-sponsored by Bosch and Haibike, builds from both companies' years of experience sponsoring European eMTB races and features challenging climbing and descents on a mix of single-track trail and other terrain over the course of the 1.5 mile loop. The race is time-based – 60 minutes in duration – a hybrid between short track and cross country.

As part of the "Industry Challenge" category, the Industry racer who completes the most laps within 60 minutes will receive a cash purse of $5,000 that will go towards the local trail building non-profit of their choice.

"We added an Industry Challenge to the race as a way to inject some friendly intra-industry competition into this category, but more importantly, to provide an extra tailwind to trail-building associations who are doing valuable work for the mountain bike community," says Claudia Wasko, Regional Business Unit Leader of Bosch eBike Systems Americas.

"If people love what they do, they exercise and want to become better. If they become better, they want to compete. In any sport, in any part of life. Same happened with eMTB in Europe and now in the US," says Claus Fleischer, CEO of Bosch eBike Systems.

"We are proud to sponsor the first e-mountain bike race at Sea Otter.  As the original ePerformance manufacturer, we have been supporting the eMTB race scene in Europe from the beginning and are excited to bring the opportunity to the US," says Susanne Puello, Managing Director for Winora Group and Haibike.

"eMTB racing already exists in many forms from short races, relays, 24h, to Enduro in Europe already. Why? Because they are exhilarating, physically demanding, and Mountain Bikers love competitive challenges! We're happy to work with Bosch and Haibike to bring this eMTB trend to the US at the biggest bike festival in the country," says Frank Yohannan, President and CEO of the Sea Otter Classic, Inc.

No eBike? No worries. eMTBs will be available to reserve for the race in advance by contacting [email protected], the day of the race at the Bosch and Haibike booths, or 1 hour before the race near the starting line (while supplies last). All eMTB manufactures are welcome to participate and use their own bikes – they must be pedal-assist (no throttle), with a maximum motor-assisted speed of 20mph and max power of 400 Watts to qualify.  Anyone currently working within the bicycle industry is welcome to participate, as long as they are 15 years and older. No racing license required. More details on race rules can be found here.

To register for the Bosch eMTB race "Industry Challenge, go to www.seaotterclassic.com race registration link and select "Industry Challenge" (men's or women's). Non-industry Sea Otter attendees over 15 are welcome and encouraged to participate in the "Men's eMTB" and "Women's eMTB" categories. Awards will be provided by Sea Otter in all age groups.   

Race Event Details:

• Race begins Friday 4/15/2016 at 4:00 pm - START/FINISH Location is near the Dual Slalom on the "swale".
• "Industry Challenge" Award ceremony @ 5:30 pm. Drinks and appetizers will be provided.

About Bosch eBike Systems
Bosch eBike Systems provides a high-quality drive system for pedal-assist only eBikes. The Bosch eBike drive system consists of a drive unit (motor and transmission), a battery and a smart and intuitive cycle computer. In Europe, Bosch is already the market leader; more than 60 leading bicycle brands rely on the eBike system made by Bosch. Over 16 world-class brands are offering eBikes epowered by Bosch in the North American market. Bosch eBike Systems is a part of the international Bosch Group. Additional information is available online at www.bosch-eBike.us. Learn more by watching a video here.

About Bosch
Having established a regional presence in 1906 in North America, the Bosch Group employs some 28,700 associates in more than 100 locations, as of April 1, 2015. In 2014, Bosch generated consolidated sales of $11.3 billion in the US, Canada and Mexico. For more information, visit www.boschusa.com, www.bosch.com.mx and www.bosch.ca.

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 375,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2015). According to preliminary figures, the company generated sales of more than $77 billion (70 billion euros) in 2015. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 440 subsidiaries and regional companies in some 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. In 2015, Bosch applied for some 5,400 patents worldwide. The Bosch Group's strategic objective is to deliver innovations for a connected life. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is "Invented for life." Learn more by watching a video here.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160413/355274

SOURCE Bosch eBike Systems

Related Links

http://www.bosch-eBike.us