Rotorua's Sam Shaw is building a reputation as an extremely well-rounded rider, racking up impressive results in multiple disciplines.
His rise is the sport has not gone unrecognised and sponsors are starting to take notice, allowing Shaw the freedom to chase his Enduro World Series (EWS) dream.
Last week Zerode Bikes, in partnership with Pinion Drive technology and Wide Open Distributors, announced they had signed Shaw for the 2018 race season. He is also sponsored by Ground Effect Clothing, Cane Creek and POC Sports Protection, as well as local sponsors South Star Shuttles, One Square Meal and Bike Culture.
Shaw, who had a solid EWS debut season last year, claiming top 50 results as a part-timer while finishing his university degree, said the sponsorships saved him money which allowed him to put his own money towards travel.
"Essentially my gear, EWS entry fees and part of my travel costs have been sponsored which is a huge help for my goals at the Enduro World Series this year and minimises the stresses of not being able to afford the right gear and food.
Rotorua's Sam Shaw in Chile ahead of the first round of the Enduro World Series. Photo / Supplied
"It's huge to me, I have always wanted to race on a full EWS circuit and be competitive while I'm at it, this kind of support helps me actually get to the events with the gear to be competitive, the rest is up to me," he said.
The first round of the 2018 EWS was raced in Chile at the weekend and Shaw finished 50th after taking some time to get used to conditions which were a far cry from what he was used to in Rotorua.
"The stages are like nothing I have ridden before. People compare it to riding on the moon, which no one actually has, but it is a perfect description. The tracks are loose and rocky with a mixture of warp-speed section and super techy dusty corners.
"I am really enjoying it, but it's so different going fast on this stuff, it's something I'm not quite used to. It's always a learning curve with these races. It's so different to what we have at home and there are absolutely no trees as well, it's a desert out here."
His results showed that he was beginning to find his feet in the foreign conditions, after finishing 75th, 78th and 71st in the first three stages on day one, he finished 52nd, 55th and 60th on day two.
"I am really keen on riding consistently in the top 30 and hopefully sneaking in a top 20 result at some point. I need to find my race head and get relaxed in the heavy competition that is the Enduro World Series.
"The fitness is there and the bike handling comes through when I'm having fun, so I just have to stick to the motto 'have fun, ride fast and, side note, stay on your bike'."
As a 13-year-old, Shaw discovered a love for mountain biking after learning the hard way he would never be a motocross rider.
"I was keen as on a motorbike and dad took me to check out a second-hand farm bike. In short, I jumped on it and took off straight into a fence. That Christmas I got a Giant XTC mountain bike and it all started there with rides with the parents and after school jump sessions with mates."
Also in action in Chile was Rotorua rider Keegan Wright who finished 26th, three-and-a-half minutes behind winner Sam Hill, of Australia. The next round of the EWS is in Colombia this weekend.
