Red Bull Erzbergrodeo 2025 will go ahead without FIM World Championship status as race director say “it hardly affects us” and reveals Dakar Rally winner Daniel Sanders will contest the Iron Road Prologue on his factory KTM rally bike.

The team behind the Erzbergrodeo have been in touch to say essentially what didn’t need saying: that one of the biggest hard enduro races in the world, if not the biggest, will carry on regardless of the news about the 2025 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship.

Though the ’25 HEWC season is yet to be officially cancelled, as many report, with the FIM still attempting to find a solution, the news about WESS promotions pulling themselves out of equation caused questions and speculation.

Read more on that here: WESS is Dead. What Happens Next? Rider, team and race organisers have their say

The Red Bull Erzbergrodeo being a behemoth which, like Romaniacs, was well established long before the inclusion in the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship and as such will see little impact on the 29th edition this year.

The dates to gather on the Iron Giant is May 29 to June 1, 2025 as planned.

Red Bull Erzbergrodeo race promotor Karl Katoch: “The cancellation of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship hardly affects us at all. The Red Bull Erzbergrodeo has been an established fixture in the motorcycle off-road world for almost three decades and has become one of the most renowned events in the scene without the involvement of the FIM.

“After three years of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo 2025 will take place as usual, even without FIM World Championship status.”

With so many entry fees and spectators attending, Erzberg going ahead was never in doubt, although exactly how much involvement and financial backing KTM will commit to any sporting event still has a question mark over it as their financial situation continues.

Chucky rides the Iron Road

Nestled in the message from Katoch was also the revelation that 2025 Dakar winner Chucky Sanders will race the prologue on his rally bike. “KTM will be bringing Dakar Rally winner Daniel Sanders to Erzberg this year.” Says Katoch. “Sanders will contest the Blakläder Iron Road Prologue 2025 on his Rally KTM and surely thrill the fans.”

Photo Credit: Red Bull + KTM | Edo Bauer