Ainduro
Motorsports also means motorcycles, of course.
The motorcycle made its first appearance at the 72 Heures de Pont-de-Vaux in 2008, with sprints. Then, from 2009 to 2011, it became an endurance event, first lasting six hours, then eight. After an absence of 6 years, the bike reappeared on the program in 2018, becoming the AINduro in 2019.
Motorcycles have confirmed their place at this event, and AINduro has succeeded in transforming the track usually reserved for quads into a track combining speed and crossing.
With an original layout designed by Tommy Monin. The AINduro track combines scree, concrete steps, wooden logs and tractor tires, with jumps and whoops to allow for top speeds.
AINduro
The 4.380 km Pont-de-Vaux motorcycle track is unique in that it features every possible configuration: Moto Cross, supermotard, enduro and hard enduro. The quad section is very fast, like a supermotard track but without the asphalt, and features jumps worthy of the finest motocross. The cross-country section brings its share of enduro obstacles. It will therefore require riders to be very complete and particularly enduring. The AINduro brings together all categories of riders, who want to compete once a year on a track that’s unique in terms of both length and profile.
Who will come out on top, the endurists or the cross-country racers, to win this 100% cross-country event, is the unknown factor every year, and you have to wait until the final flag to find out.
A program in 3 parts.
Since 2025, the individual special stage has been replaced by a timed practice session (to set the starting grid) on Friday afternoon.
The weekend is divided into two endurance races; the first of 1 hour 45 minutes on Saturday morning and the second of 1 hour 15 minutes on Sunday morning.
For these two rounds, riders will compete on the big circuit (the Mondial track and the enduro-cross track, 4,380 kms long). You’ll need to be both fast and solid, as an hour and a half is the equivalent of 3 motocross rounds. The heat of the Pont de Vaux meadow in August will no doubt also be the X factor in this warm-up.
Sunday: Final day
To decide the winner, the riders will have to manage their efforts while maintaining a high level of rhythm. Good preparation of both rider and machine could well make the difference.
Revamped and
categories
In fact, it’s mainly in terms of categories that things are changing. Rally-raid and Trail machines join the event.
Two other categories have been added: Classics or, in other words, cross-country and enduro machines over 25 years old, and US Bikes.
Of course, the traditional categories will still line up on the starting grid:
The ranking is based on the cumulative total of the 2 heats, by adding up the times at the end of the two races.
Motorcycle racers have a busy racing schedule and always enter late. However, the starting field is limited to 101 machines.
