One of the biggest hitters in the hard enduro calendar, Extreme XL Lagares, is back this weekend – Sherco Factory Racing duo Mario Roman and Wade Young top the bill at the infamous Portuguese race.

The pandemic plus electing to pull out of the Hard Enduro World Championship circus have meant the Extreme XL Lagares dropped off the radar a little. But the star in the early season hard enduro calendar for many years is back with a full race programme including that famous prologue.

“The city prologue is back,” says organiser Paulo Moreira “with some similarities with previous ones, the major difference is the location...it's in Vila Nova de Gaia, precisely in the other side of the river where it ‘normally’ was held.”

Who could forget that infamous Jonny Walker dive into the river…

2022 schedule

The event based in Porto is famous for that run up through the ancient streets of the city will not be quite so ancient but still spectacular and always popular with spectators.

The 2022 schedule includes...

An Endurocross races in Quartel da Serra do Pilar, where the Hard Enduro World Championship was forced to run in 2021 when officials restricted the main race down on the Thursday before the race.

This year, with restrictions eased dramatically, the Endurocross practice and qualifying will see the best 20 riders of each class through to a semi-final to be held after city prologue on the Saturday night. From those semi-finals, five from each class will go to the finals where they will be fighting for time bonus.

Sunday main race starts and finishes in Serra da Boneca, about 25km from Porto. “The track is 55km long, and 50% new.” Moreira explains. "We still have the most iconic riverbeds from previous editions but we have some new and demanding areas. It's probably the most beautiful track we have ever made.”

Around 260 riders from across the world includes Mario Roman, Wade Young, Diogo Vieira, William Hoare.

Follow Extreme XL Lagares on their social media for updates over the weekend including (hopefully) some live broadcasting from the race.

More information: www.extremelagares.com