Enduro
Get revved up for the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo with these extreme facts
The world's ultimate Hard Enduro event, Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, is the toughest one-day race in the world, and last year's race was one of the most difficult of all. Get in gear with these hard facts.
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The first Red Bull Erzbergrodeo was held in 1995 and involved 120 brave riders. It was a clarion call to adventurous riders around the world looking for the supreme test of all-round off-road ability. Within four years, the entry list had swollen to 1,000 riders and included a who's who of international extreme sports stars.
Now the 1,500 starting places sell out within a few hours as the lucky riders line up to compete in the Rocket Ride, the two-day Iron Road Prologue and the Red Bull Hare Scramble on Sunday. Here's a quick guide to this amazing race...
Watch the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo live
You can watch Red Bull Erzbergrodeo 2024 live on Red Bull TV on June 2 from 10:30am UTC.
01
Extremely hard: 99 percent of starters can fail to finish
In 2015, only five out of 500 bikers made it to the finish – exactly one percent. In 1999, the mountain was slightly kinder to the racers, and 51 crossed the finish line – a bumper success rate of 10 percent. What this all means is that even during favourable conditions in Erzberg, 90 percent of riders still don't finish the race. For the record, last year, one of the toughest races in the event's history, Mani Lettenbichler was followed over the line by just 17 other battered and weary riders - that's less than 3.5 percent of the 500 starting riders.
Taddy Blazusiak and Billy Bolt in the Please help-Zone in Erzberg
© Sebastian Marko/Red Bull Content Pool
Red Bull Erzbergrodeo quick facts
02
Extremely fast: The speed record is 193kph
Speed has never been a top priority at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, but it's still required. Italian rider Giovanni Sala reached an incredible 193kph on his KTM 950 Super Enduro during the 2005 Iron Road Prologue. However, on the final climb of the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, the world's best riders will average just 15kph.
Riding through Eisenerz
© Philip Platzer/Red Bull Content Pool
03
Extremely crowded: There's a population explosion in the host town of Eisenerz
Three hundred sixty days of the year, the peaceful town of Eisenerz has a population of less than 4,000 inhabitants, but during the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, more than 40,000 visitors come to the old mining town in Styria. An additional 6,000 people take care of the organisation, construction and execution of the event. The Hard Enduro riders also bring the party to the locals with the annual Raid on Eisenerz, which sees the bikers descend on the town the night before the race.
04
Extremely driven: It's not about the money
The Red Bull Erzbergrodeo is unique in terms of racing and financial matters. The top riders do not receive starting fees, and there is no prize money for the winner. However, a handshake from event mastermind Karl Katoch at the finish line and the chance to become respected worldwide await all finishers.
Riders at the start of the 2022 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo
© Future7Media/Red Bull Content Pool
Friendly rivals: Billy Bolt and Mani Lettenbichler
© Future7Media/Red Bull Content Pool
Mani Lettenbichler: winner of the 2022 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo
© Future7Media/Red Bull Content Pool
Mani Lettenbichler tackles Carl's Dinner at the 2022 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo
© Future7Media/Red Bull Content Pool
Organiser Karl Katoch and the eight finishers of the 2022 Erzbergrodeo
© Future7Media/Red Bull Content Pool
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Extreme fame: From Erzberg to the top of the world
Manuel Lettenbichler on the Iron Mountain
© Future7Media/Red Bull Content Pool
06
Extremely successful: The biggest names and brands
The most successful rider at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, with five wins in a row between 2007 and 2011, is Poland’s Taddy Błażusiak. Graham Jarvis has won five times, although not consecutively – but Jarvis' staying power and the longevity of his career are all part of the legend that makes him the greatest Hard Enduro rider in the sport's history. By far, the most successful brand at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo is KTM, with 18 titles spread over 26 years.
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Practising for Erzberg
Ski champ Marcel Hirscher swaps skis for an enduro bike to tackle the toughest Hard Enduro race in the world.
07
Extreme guests: Keep an eye out for celebrity guest riders
The Red Bull Erzbergrodeo attracts athletes from different sports, including FMX stars Travis Pastrana, Ronnie Renner and Robbie Maddison, Trials legends like Laia Sainz and Dougie Lampkin and MotoGP legend Dani Pedrosa. This year, it's the turn of Olympian Marcel Hirscher. As one of the most successful skiers of all time and a national hero in his native Austria, Hirscher knows a thing or two about mountains and, having grown up riding motorbikes, he's also a skilled rider.
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Extremely live: Red Bull Erzbergrodeo comes to your living room
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