Cycle News Staff | June 9, 2023
Red Bull Abestone Canceled For 2023
Wels, Austria (June, 2023) — WESS Promotion GmbH regrets to inform that Red Bull Abestone—originally scheduled as round three of the 2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship on July 7/8/9—has been cancelled due to issues with the local authorities and is therefore removed from the FIM HEWC calendar.
Winfried Kerschhaggl – FIM Hard Enduro World Championship Manager: “It goes without saying that the cancellation of any event is unwelcome, so to learn that the organizing team behind Red Bull Abestone have had to cancel the race for 2023 is disappointing for the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, the riders, and all involved in the series. The event has been a great addition to the championship, and we are working on welcoming it back to the series for 2024 already. Obviously, due to the considerable work needed in organizing and running an FIM Hard Enduro World Championship event, at this late stage we won’t try and find a replacement for the 2023 championship.”
The revised 2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship calendar now comprises of six events.
2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship (updated)
| 5/17-20 |
(Rnd 1) Xross – Serbia |
| 6/8-11 |
(Rnd 2) Red Bull Erzbergrodeo – Austria |
| 7/25-29 |
(Rnd 3) Red Bull Romaniacs – Romania |
| 8/26-27 |
(Rnd 4) Red Bull Outliers – Canada |
| 10/13-15 |
(Rnd 5) 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro – Lesotho |
| 11/3-4 |
(Rnd 6) 24MX GetzenRodeo – Germany |
Update from March 14, 2023
FIM Hard Enduro World Championship replaces the Roof of Africa with the 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro for the 2023 seven-round schedule.
The following is a press release from WESS…
Wels, Austria (March 10, 2023) — The 2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship will see the 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro in Spain replace the Roof of Africa as the penultimate round of the series.
As an event that needs little introduction, the inclusion of the 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro is an exciting prospect for Hard Enduro competitors and fans the world over.
With its tried and trusted format, the Spanish event is certain to deliver many incredible moments in this year’s championship battle.
With uncertainty surrounding the event organization at the Roof of Africa in Lesotho, FIM Hard Enduro World Championship promoters WESS GmbH have reluctantly been forced to remove the event from the 2023 schedule.
Although the decision to remove the Roof of Africa was not taken lightly by WESS GmbH, it’s hoped that the iconic South African Hard Enduro will debut in the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship in the very near future.
However, the event will be replaced by Spain’s infamous 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro on October 13-15 in Aguilar de Campoo, becoming the sixth and penultimate round of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship.
Winfried Kerschhaggl – FIM Hard Enduro World Championship Manager: “Firstly, we at WESS GmbH are disappointed that we had to drop the Roof of Africa from this year’s world championship calendar. Losing the trusted and planned organizer seven months ahead of the event, we simply ran out of avenues to ensure a successful running of the race. Hopefully, in the near future we will travel to Lesotho. Parallel to those discussions we were able to find a replacement to round six with the 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro. The event and the organizing family have always been very close to us and proved a tremendous success in the world championship and the highlights of the 2022 season finale are still fresh in our minds. Initially we had intended to return to Aguilar de Campoo in 2024, but by bringing things forward 12 months it will further strengthen the 2023 championship with some incredible racing.”
The updated 2023 calendar is below.
2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship (updated)
| 5/17-20 |
(Rnd 1) Xross – Serbia |
| 6/8-11 |
(Rnd 2) Red Bull Erzbergrodeo – Austria |
| 7/7-9 |
(Rnd 3) Red Bull Abestone – Italy |
| 7/25-29 |
(Rnd 4) Red Bull Romaniacs – Romania |
| 8/26-27 |
(Rnd 5) Red Bull Outliers – Canada |
| 10/13-15 |
(Rnd 6) 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro – Lesotho |
| 11/3-4 |
(Rnd 7) 24MX GetzenRodeo – Germany |
The opening round of the 2023 championship takes place in just over two months’ time with the Xross Hard Enduro Challenge in Serbia on May 17-20.
For those wishing to register for championship points for both the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship and the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship, please visit iridehardenduro.com.
The following is a press release from November, 2022…
The 2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship schedule is reduced to seven rounds, with the Israel round, Spain’s 24MX Hixpania, and the USA’s Tennessee Knockout (TKO) dropping off the schedule (The TKO will continue for 2023 as the AMA Grand Championship for Extreme Enduro). WESS Promotion says that it intends for the FIM Hard Enduro series to alternate between Red Bull Outliers in Canada (planned for 2023) and the Red Bull TKO (planned for 2024) in the USA.
Billy Bolt at the FIM Hard Enduro Xross in 2022. Photo Courtesy of Red Bull
The following is a press release from WESS Promotion…
Wels, Austria (November 29, 2022) — A revised schedule will see the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship take place across seven rounds in 2023.
In light of economic and political conditions around the world, WESS Promotion GmbH have decided to adjust the 2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship calendar and reduce the number of races to seven.
Faced with record, 40-year-high inflation rates, among other factors, the goal of this reduced schedule is to help ease financial costs for riders, teams and organizers, as well as us as championship promoters. This adjustment will ensure that the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship can move in a healthy direction so all involved can best navigate the financially challenging years ahead.
However, the reduction in rounds of the championship does not mean that the series is giving up its international standing. There will still be events outside of Europe. We will continue our obligation to those organizers whose commitment has contributed to the impressive development of the championships.
For the future, and specifically for 2023, this means that we will reduce the calendar to seven races. Events that cannot be accommodated in 2023 will be considered in 2024 or thereafter. Furthermore, we will race once in North America each year, but alternate between Red Bull Outliers in Canada and Red Bull TKO in the USA.
It is also planned that the 24MX Getzenrodeo and 24MX Hixpania will alternate as the Championship’s final event.
In summary, WESS Promotion GmbH is acting proactively, making necessary adjustments in a timely manner for the good of all involved in the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship and thanks those who have and continue to support the championship.
Graham Jarvis at the FIM Hard Enduro Xross in 2022. Photo Courtesy of Predrag Vuckovic/Red Bull Content Pool
Please find the updated 2023 calendar below.
2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship (updated)
| 5/17-20 |
(Rnd 1) Xross – Serbia |
| 6/8-11 |
(Rnd 2) Red Bull Erzbergrodeo – Austria |
| 7/7-9 |
(Rnd 3) Red Bull Abestone – Italy |
| 7/25-29 |
(Rnd 4) Red Bull Romaniacs – Romania |
| 8/26-27 |
(Rnd 5) Red Bull Outliers – Canada |
| 9/28-30 |
(Rnd 6) Roof of Africa – Lesotho |
| 11/3-4 |
(Rnd 7) 24MX GetzenRodeo – Germany |
Press release from September 28, 2022
The FIM Hard Enduro World Championship expands to 10 rounds for 2023, beginning in April and ending in November, the season will span nine months.
The following is a press release from WESS…
Wels, Austria (September 28, 2022) — Expanding to 10 rounds, the 2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship calendar is now provisionally fixed. Mixing long-established venues with up-and-coming events, the championship also welcomes new races to the schedule for 2023.
Beginning in April and ending in November, the season will span nine months. Encompassing the Middle East, Europe, North America, and now Africa, the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship continues to grow and develop into a truly global championship.
Gearing up for a busy season of racing, the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship is set to enjoy 10 unique, distinctive, and vastly challenging races for 2023 that will offer a true test to the world’s best Hard Enduro riders.
Racing gets underway in Israel
Mirroring 2022, the 2023 season will begin in Israel’s Dead Sea region next April. Taking place 400 meters below sea level, the event is truly unique and a worthy venue to kickstart the new year.
From Israel the championship heads to Serbia in May for the four-day Xross. A Hard Enduro Rally, its addition to the 2022 championship proved an instant hit with riders for its rugged and raw landscape.
The iconic Red Bull Erzbergrodeo in Austria sets the tone for round three in June. Now entering its 26th edition, it’s one of the most anticipated races of the season. A spectacle to behold in person, we can also look forward to continued live coverage on Red Bull TV.
Staying in Europe, July will be a busy month for competitors with both the Red Bull Abestone in Italy and Red Bull Romaniacs in Romania to contend with.
Across the pond to North America
Two weeks after Red Bull Romaniacs and the championship heads to North America for the first of two stops during August. Red Bull TKO in the USA will host round six to get the second half of the season underway. Two weeks later and it’s the turn of Red Bull Outliers in Canada. Both vastly different, the Red Bull TKO is a trials rider’s haven thanks to its numerous boulder gardens, while Red Bull Outliers features many punishing dusty climbs.
Returning to Europe, Spain’s 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro will host round eight. A firm rider favorite, it features an enjoyable and exciting mix of race formats in the mountains of Aguila de Campoo.
The Mother of Hard Enduro
Set to come as welcomed news for Hard Enduro fans the world over is the addition of the legendary Roof of Africa to the schedule. Affectionally known as ‘The Mother of Hard Enduro’, the Roof of Africa is the original Hard Enduro race. It was first held in Lesotho, South Africa way back in 1967. Covering up to 350 kilometers across three days, it offers both spectacular riding and scenery in abundance.
Ready to sign off the 2023 season in style will be the epic 24MX GetzenRodeo in Germany. The championship decider of the inaugural 2021 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, the venue creates an amazing atmosphere as competitors battle the steep, root infested climbs of the tight and technical forest in Drebach, while the course itself is lined with thousands of passionate spectators.
For 2023, the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship will also feature the Junior World Cup at four rounds including Xross, Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, Red Bull Abestone, and 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro.
Winfried Kerschhaggl – FIM Hard Enduro World Championship Manager: “As an exciting 2022 season draws to a close, it’s great to announce our plans for the 2023 championship. Continuing our efforts to expand, the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship will take place across 10 rounds and four continents next year. We’ve worked hard to mix established events like Red Bull Erzbergrodeo and Red Bull Romaniacs together with new races like Israel and Red Bull Outliers. It’s exciting to bring the Roof of Africa into the championship for 2023. While its status is legendary, adding it to the calendar also reflects the growing number of South African competitors within the championship. We can’t wait to get started on the 2023 season once the 2022 championship concludes next week at 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro.”
2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship (provisional)
| 4/14-15 |
(Rnd 1) TBC – Israel |
| 5/17-20 |
(Rnd 2) Xross – Serbia |
| 6/8-11 |
(Rnd 3) Red Bull Erzbergrodeo – Austria |
| 7/7-9 |
(Rnd 4) Red Bull Abestone – Italy |
| 7/25-29 |
(Rnd 5) Red Bull Romaniacs – Romania |
| 8/12-13 |
(Rnd 6) Red Bull TKO – USA |
| 8/26-27 |
(Rnd 7) Red Bull Outliers – Canada |
| TBA |
(Rnd 8) 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro – Spain |
| TBA |
(Rnd 9) Roof of Africa – Lesotho |
| 11/3-4 |
(Rnd 10) 24MX GetzenRodeo – Germany |
