The winning riders from the 16th Erzberg Rodeo have hailed the news that the event is to become the Xtreme-Enduro World Championship from next year.
“Everything is in place to take a step in this direction,” said Taddy Blazusiak, who wrapped up his fourth consecutive Red Bull Hare Scramble victory on Sunday. “We have the best riders in all disciplines, a very big competition, the toughest of all possible courses, very strong partners and any amount of spectators. It won't be just me that goes to the start even more motivated than ever."
According to event organiser Karl Katoch, the Rodeo is the logical choice to host the world championship as it is the birthplace of a sport that brings the best riders from Enduro, rallying and motocross together with an open field of amateurs for a weekend of gruelling action.
"It was here that, 16 years ago, we realised a simple idea; to bring all the world's best off-road riders and present them with an unsolvable task,” he said. “After the unique development that has taken place here since then it is time that we give the riders and the fans ‘their' Xtreme-Enduro World Championship."
'Everything is in place to take a step in this direction' - Taddy Blasuziak
KTM’s Heinz Kinigadner, who has been involved in Erzberg from the start, said the company supported the move wholeheartedly, adding that the Rodeo is effectively a world championship already.
"It was here that top riders like Cyril Despres, Chris Pfeiffer, David Knight and not least Taddy Blazusiak became stars of the off-road world. The field of starters and the entire format of the Erzberg Rodeo has already seen this race develop into an unofficial world championship."
Trial king Dougie Lampkin, who finished third on Sunday, added: "The Hare Scramble already combines the most challenging speed passages with the most difficult technical sections. Whoever wins here can really call themselves the world champion."
Red Bull Photofiles/KTM
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