Director of the Enduro World Series Chris Ball said it was great to be back in Derby.

"It's even better than the last [time] which we were worried about after such a good year in 2017 if it could be replicated or improved upon but the feedback's just been mind blowing," Ball said.

Riders were keen to test out the new Kumma Gutza and Air Ya Garn trails, both of which received rave reviews.

"Kumma Gutza was a real rider favourite yesterday," Ball said.

"The general layout of the course and the way things are clicking together, obviously the first year's always going to be quite challenging on what is a logistically difficult discipline but it's just been really well done."

Elite Belgian rider Martin Maes dominated the first three stages but fell down the leaderboard in the latter stages, losing out to the likes of Australian Sam Hill and Frenchman Florian Nicolai.

Prior to stage five Maes said it was better to be smart than fast during the choppier trails in the remaining stages.

"The keyword is smartness," he said.

"Stage five is extremely rough you can damage a lot on the bikes so just got to stay smart and push hard.

"The ride up to stage five is tough enough, it's a big one, got to be careful."

Despite faltering on some of the later stages, Maes finished on top of the men's ladder.

He was followed by Nicolai and Australian Connor Fearon.

The women's heat was tight and fierce with mere milliseconds between the top riders.

Launceston legend Rowena Fry showed her relentlessness during the series, never dropping out of the top five times for any stage.

American Jill Kitner had crossed disciplines to compete in this series, and battled with the top riders throughout the weekend.

However, the winds of the Kingswall and the choppiness of stage 3 (Return To Sender) caused Kitner to drop during day two.

It was Blue Derby veteran Isabeau Courdrier who once again topped the podium for the women, followed by Kitner and Fry respectively.

Antoine Vidal, of France finished on top for the men's under 21.

He was followed closely by Australian Roly Kyme and Canadian Kasper Woolley respectively.

Another Frenchman, Lionel Sequiera, stood atop the podium for the men's masters.

Fellow French master Karim Amour captured silver followed closely by Jeffrey Beeston, of Australia.

There was an Australian on the podium for every heat, showing the strength of Australian mountain biking.

The torrential rain from 2017 proved difficult to deal with, but according to Ball this year's trails were in perfect riding condition.

"We had great weather [in 2017] up until race day last time so obviously it's [this year's weather] just perfect," Ball said.

"A little rain on Friday night and a little rain last night has just created exactly the right riding conditions.

"They're going to struggle to have a bad time tonight."

There is something special about the tracks at Blue Derby, according to Ball. 

"The trails here aren't necessarily as long as maybe they'll get in the alps or the Andes or the Rocky Mountains but they make up for it with a lot of intensity," Ball said.

"There's not a metre wasted on the trail so they're really tested technically.

"Especially with the drier conditions this year which have been quite dusty so they've had no rest, it's been short and punchy."

Ball said competition was tight throughout the heats.

"It's been a really close competition," Ball said.

"I guess you get that when the stages are intense and they're racing a lot closer and tighter."

"A little mistake can really change the results."

The Enduro World Series will now move to the Portuguese island of Madeira for the third round in May.