For the past 30 years, the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo has seen the Hard Enduro elite take on the ‘Iron Mountain’. Only a handful of contestants even make it to the finish line. The Red Bull Ring has reserved three of the coveted starting places for this year’s battle of the world’s top riders and will be awarding them at the first ever Hard Enduro qualifying event to be held at Spielberg. Are you up for the challenge of ‘man and machine versus the forces of nature’? Then saddle up for the Red Bull Ring Erzbergrodeo Qualifiers at Area24 and put your off-road abilities on two wheels to the test.
The Red Bull Erzbergrodeo is about to celebrate its 30th anniversary on the weekend of 4th ‑ 7th June in Eisenerz (Steiermark province). Just a few kilometres away, Spielberg – more specifically a section of off-road bike track for enduro specialists known as Area24 – will be hosting its first ever Hard Enduro qualifying event on 31st May 2026, which presents you with the chance to secure a starting place for this year’s Red Bull Erzbergrodeo. The three places will be awarded in a knockout competition on a gruelling Hard Enduro loop, preceded by ample opportunity for free practice.
Ten Area24 specialists head to the Erzberg - three of them will compete there too
The starting field is limited to 60 riders. The Top Three two-wheeler heroes from Area24 on the day will be allocated a starting place for the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo. All riders finishing in the Top Ten will leave with tickets giving admission for the whole weekend. As an added bonus, the results of the Red Bull Ring Erzbergrodeo Qualifiers count towards the new Hard Enduro World Ranking. The top-placed riders in the Challenger category will therefore earn extra world championship points.
From Spielberg to Erzberg: Race Format*
- Ten riders at a time will enter the Hard Enduro Loop. Groups will be selected based on the order in which entries are received. The start signal will be given with engines powered down.
- The Top Five contestants from each group of ten will progress directly to the next round (semi-finals).
- Those finishing sixth to tenth will have a second chance in an additional round. Two of them will advance to the semi-finals.
- The semi-finals will be contested by three groups of twelve riders each.
- Five from each group – making a total of 15 Hard Enduro specialists – will compete in the final. If you make it into this select group, you’ll have the chance to win one of three starting places for the 2026 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo.
*) Subject to change
