Enduro rider Rémy Absalon races as part of the SCOTT SR Suntour Team. His career includes 12 Megavalanche victories, four French Enduro Series titles and four European Cup downhill marathon championships.
When I tried my hand at Enduro, I quickly realised it was the kind of biking I wanted to do. It’s the ultimate endurance test, with both uphill and timed downhill sections.
Around the age of 15 or 16 my results started to really improve and the bike brand Commencal contacted me. I was one of the first sponsored Enduro riders and spent almost ten years with Commencal, then I began to build my own team with support from SCOTT, SR Suntour and of course D3O.
The demands of Enduro mean training is never boring. You have to combine physical training with technical training, so I ride every type of bike, plus motocross for strength and interval training for fitness.
I have been lucky to suffer only a few major injuries – a broken collar bone, a foot and a hand. Quite small things really. Wearing the right protection has been vital.
The type of protection riders must wear varies according to the event but in France, we have to wear a full-face helmet, gloves, knee pads and back protection.
Even when it’s not mandatory, my choice is to wear all my protection. I think it’s rash to ride without it – it helps not only prevent injuries but also perform to the max.
Enduro racing involves long days on a bike so comfort is also really important. My SCOTT Sports Soldier 2 knee pads featuring D3O® technology give me both security and comfort. I can pedal and climb easily and keep my knee pads on all day.
I’ve ridden with this level of protection for five years now. It gives me confidence knowing I am wearing it. No-one wants to crash, but I have crashed with this protection and I know it works.
I can ride without saying to myself ‘be careful, this is a rocky section’. I can push my limits all the time. This is why I value D3O® protection. It protects my ability to compete and by association my family, my travels and my way of life.