The two biggest Hard Enduro races on the planet, Romaniacs and Erzbergrodeo, join forces for the future of extreme enduro and will award their own Extreme Enduro Rally and Extreme Enduro “World Championship” crowns in 2025.

In the absence of an FIM Hard Enduro World Championship in 2025, it seems, the two biggest events in the calendar and the HEWC series have joined forces to go their own way in an effort to preserve the future of the sport, with or without of the FIM.

In a surprise announcement, though not a shock from two race directors who are well-versed at ploughing their own furrows, the 2025 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo will crown an Extreme Enduro World Champion while the winner of the Red Bull Romaniacs will be crowned Extreme Enduro Rally World Champion.

Red Bull Erzbergrodeo director Karl Katoch explains the motivation behind awarding the world championship title: “Since its inception, partners and sponsors have recognised the outstanding importance of our event. This is precisely why I was invited to integrate the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo into the FIM Hard Enduro Series for three years - because without the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, this championship series would never have existed.”

“Due to economic challenges, the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship has been cancelled, leaving a gap in the highest level of competition in this sport. Therefore, the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo will now award an official Extreme Enduro World Championship title independently - in co-operation with leading partners and industry representatives.

“The Red Bull Erzbergrodeo has been setting the standard for decades, and no other race offers a comparable sporting challenge. By working closely with our partners, we guarantee a fair and globally recognised title award. This ensures that the best Extreme Enduro athletes in the world can continue to compete for a prestigious title,” adds Katoch.

Two biggest races, different skills

While Erzberg will award the Extreme title for the single day competition, Romaniacs is infamous for its five days of GPS-style rally competition and will therefore award a separate title.

Red Bull Romaniacs race Director, Martin Freinademetz: “The Red Bull Romaniacs was part of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship and supported the opportunity to crown a world champion, which we believe is something the sport and its athletes truly deserve.

“Now that the FIM championship series has been discontinued, we have teamed up with Red Bull Erzbergrodeo organiser Karl Katoch and industry leaders to fill this gap. We want to offer an alternative, independent award for the athletes that will allow the sport to continue to thrive and evolve with new awards for the Extreme Enduro Rally and the Extreme Enduro World Championship 2025.”

Brothers in arms

Event founders Karl Katoch and Martin Freinademetz, long-time colleagues, friends and participants in each other’s races for over two decades, have now joined forces to introduce a new championship award system for the future of the sport.

Both the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo and the Red Bull Romaniacs are delighted to announce this joint step. “We want to support and recognise the value of the Extreme Hard Enduro sport together with all the athletes who compete at the highest level in racing.” Katoch and Freinademetz agree.

Photo Credit: Red Bull