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FIM HEWC set for epic Round Two at Austria’s Red Bull Erzbergrodeo – Preview

The FIM Hard Enduro World Championship picks up pace for round two as it heads to Austria’s iconic Red Bull Erzbergrodeo. After his dominant victory at round one, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler will challenge for his third consecutive win at the Iron Giant. The FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM sees TTR Squadra Corse leading the way with brothers Mitch and Ashton Brightmore first and second overall.

FIM HEWC readies itself for action at Red Bull Erzbergrodeo
Sunday’s Main Race, Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, goes live on Red Bull TV at 12.30 CEST
Manuel Lettenbichler leads the championship entering round two

One of the most exciting and prestigious races on the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, round two’s Red Bull Erzbergrodeo is eagerly awaited by riders and fans the world over.

Synonymous with Hard Enduro, the iconic Eisenerz Iron Giant quarry will celebrate its 28th edition from May 30 – June 2. A festival of off-road motorsports, the event attracts up to 1,500 competitors and thousands of spectators each year. The fun Mitas Rocket Ride gets the action underway on Thursday evening as riders tackle the steep quarry slopes of the Iron Giant.

Competitors then begin two days of high-speed qualification with the Blaklader Iron Road Prologue on Friday and Saturday. Racing their way up the gravel roads in a Time Trial format, the fastest 500 qualify through to Sunday’s all-important Main Race, Red Bull Erzbergrodeo.

A mass-start Hard Enduro, competitors have just four hours to complete one of the world’s most challenging off-road courses. Navigating iconic sections like Cuckoo’s Nest, Machine, Carl’s Dinner and Dynamite, only the very best Hard Enduro riders will reach the finish line within the allotted time.

For 2024, Sunday’s Red Bull Erzbergrodeo will be broadcast live on Red Bull TV. With over 22 TV teams, broadcast vans and more than 10 kilometres of TV cable, Hard Enduro fans are guaranteed not to miss a moment of the action, starting at 12.30 CEST, with racing commencing at 13.00 CEST.

LETTENBICHLER LOOKS TO CONTINUE HIS WINNING WAYS IN AUSTRIA

Thanks to his victory at round one, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler enters round two at the top of the FIM HEWC standings. In the United Kingdom, Lettenbichler showed that he is very much the rider to beat in 2024 and the defending champion is eager to keep that momentum rolling in Austria. Winner of the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo for the last two years running, his target will be to capture a hat trick of victories this weekend.

In what was his debut world championship ride with Sherco Factory Racing, Teodor Kabakchiev finished as a very strong runner-up to Lettenbichler at round one. The Bulgarian already looks comfortable on his new bike and will hope to better his 2023 result of ninth at Red Bull Erzbergrodeo by claiming a podium result.

Mario Roman made it a Sherco Factory Racing 2-3 at round one thanks to his third-place result. The Spaniard impressed in his come-from-behind ride but knows that with such a fierce field of competition, there’s no room for error this weekend.

Emerging from his home round fourth overall in the standings, RIEJU Factory Racing’s Will Hoare is riding strong and aiming for a breakthrough result in Austria. The young Brit is a rider to watch for.

As the best-placed Junior rider at round one, TTR Squadra Corse’s Mitch Brightmore is fifth overall in the standings. The defending FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Champion is a rider on the rise and will try to grab some headlines in Austria. After securing a debut finish there in 2023, he returns this year with experience and confidence that could see him become a real threat for a top-five result, or better.

Red Bull Leader Tread’s Wade Young arrives at round two on the back of a strong performance on his new GASGAS at the series opener in the United Kingdom. The South African spent time in Wales fine tuning his new ride for 2024 and will hope to build on that in familiar terrain in Austria.

As a rider who needs no introduction to the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, RIEJU Factory Racing’s Alfredo Gomez is a former winner, and multiple podium finisher, of the race. Although it’s five years since he last topped the podium at the Iron Giant, the Spaniard can never be counted out.

Outside of the regular championship contenders, Red Bull Erzbergrodeo will feature a wealth of Hard Enduro talent on the start line. Finishing fourth at the Valleys Hard Enduro, Red Bull Beta’s Jonny Walker will race in Austria. A three-time Red Bull Erzbergrodeo winner, the Brit has his sights on a podium result.

The ever-popular Graham Jarvis (Jarvis Magul Racing) is another rider to watch for. The Hard Enduro veteran has five wins under his belt and still has the potential to make it six if things go his way. Third in the 2023 championship standings, Canada’s Trystan Hart (FMF KTM Factory Racing) is a top three favourite. Cody Webb (Sherco), Josep Garcia (KTM) and home favourite Michael Walkner (GASGAS) all add further spice to an already exciting line up.

In the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM, Mitch Brightmore topped the standings at the end of round one. The defending champion was on top form in Wales but faced a strong challenge from his younger brother Ashton. The Brightmore brothers are already pushing ahead in the 2024 series. In Austria they will both be fighting hard to reach the finish line. Robert Crayston (Triple D Motorsport) holds third overall ahead of Richard Moorhouse (Beta) and James Moore (KTM).

STRONG LINE UP IN WOMEN’S CATEGORY

At round two, the Women’s Hard Enduro Performance Award supported by 24MX will also be up for grabs. In total, 17 female riders have entered this year’s Red Bull Erzbergrodeo making it the most competitive entry list in recent times. Zona Paddock’s Sandra Gomez starts as favourite and is joined by Slovakia’s Tjasa Fifer. Both riders won the award in 2023, with Gomez securing it at Red Bull Erzbergrodeo.

Round two of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship takes place at Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, Austria, May 30 – June 2. Watch Sunday’s Main Race, Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, live on Red Bull TV from 12.30 CEST, Sunday June 2.