Cycle News Staff | June 5, 2023
The FIM Hard Enduro World Championship descends on a small, tranquil town in the heart of Europe June 8-11 for the 2023 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo.
The following is a press release from WESS…
Wels, Austria (June 5, 2023) — Following on from the action-packed opening round of the 2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship – the Xross Hard Enduro Rally in Serbia – all eyes now turn to the iconic Red Bull Erzbergrodeo as round two of the series heads to Austria. Ready to welcome thousands of action sports enthusiasts, the four-day event is once again set to provide the ultimate test as riders and their machines take on the toughest mountain of them all.
The World’s hardest one-day Extreme Enduro returns for an unforgettable Showdown. Watch the RED BULL TV live broadcast on https://iridehardenduro.com this Sunday, 12.00 mid-day.
The well-proven event format will see the start on Thursday with the MITAS Rocket Ride, as 300 riders go all-in hoping that they can go fastest and conquer the notorious hill climb.
Action continues on Friday as each of the 1500 riders take on their first of two Iron Road Prologue runs. For the FIM Hard Enduro regulars it’s the start of the serious business. With the fastest 500 riders qualifying for the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo main event, getting one of the top 50 fastest times is super important, ensuring a front row start for Sunday’s action.
As always, the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo will put the world’s best Hard Enduro riders through their paces in no uncertain terms. Starting at mid-day, waves of 50 riders will be unleashed onto the mountain as they race their way from checkpoint to checkpoint. With some of the world’s most demanding terrain between them and the finish line, the challenge of completing all 23 check points is not to be underestimated.
Hoping to repeat his winning result from the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship opener in Serbia, as well as securing what would be back-to-back Red Bull Erzbergrodeo wins, Manuel Lettenbichler is fired up to give his absolute best. Already having proved to be in formidable form in 2023 on his KTM 300 EXC, Mani starts as the rider to beat.
In 2022 it was Spain’s Mario Roman (Sherco) and Canadian Trystan Hart (KTM) that rounded out the podium alongside Lettenbichler, both riders will be 100% focused on returning to the podium again this year.
Not competing last year due to injury, Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) is another rider that will surely feature predominantly come Sunday’s main race. Looking to claw back championship points following his mixed week at round on in Serbia, Bolt will be hunting a top three finish.
Third at the Xross Hard Enduro Rally in Serbia, Todor Kabakchiev (KTM) will be looking to keep his good form rolling and trying to take the fight to Lettenbichler, Roman, Hart, and Bolt. And with Michael Walkner (GASGAS), Alfredo Gomez (Rieju), David Cyprian (KTM), Wade Young (Sherco), Taddy Blazusiak (GASGAS) and more, all will be looking to reach the finish with as good a result as possible.
In addition, Jonny Walker (Beta) returns to the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship at Red Bull Erzbergrodeo. A former event winner who knows exactly what it takes to stand on the top step of the podium, Jonny could well pull off a top three finish.
With Canada’s Trystan Hart competing in the full FIM Hard Enduro series, at Red Bull Erzbergrodeo he’ll be joined by fellow North American’s Cody Webb (Sherco) and Colton Haaker (Husqvarna). All experienced Iron Giant competitors, each will give their all to mix it with their European rivals.
And then there’s Mr Hard Enduro – Graham Jarvis. Winner of the event five times, the Brit is eager to add another Red Bull Erzbergrodeo win to his collection.
Marking the second round of the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM, Matt Green will be the rider to beat at Red Bull Erzbergrodeo. Class winner at round one in Serbia, while focused on a top 10 result Matt will have to keep an eye open for fellow junior competitors Mitch Brightmore, Robert Crayston, Marc Fernandez, and Richard Moorhouse.
Ready to do battle once again, Sandra Gomez will lead the Female riders as she looks to conquer the Iron Giant.
The 2023 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo starts on Thursday, June 8 with the main race starting at noon on Sunday, June 11.
For more information, visit ridehardenduro.com
