For 30 years, the best hard enduro riders have lined up at the mountain of iron to compete in the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo. Only a handful of riders ever make it to the finish line. At the end of May, three coveted starting spots for this year’s battle of the world’s elite were up for grabs at the first Hard Enduro qualification event held at the Red Bull Ring at Spielberg. Around 20 two-wheel heroes took on the challenge of “man and machine versus the forces of nature” and got in the saddle at Area 24 for the inaugural Red Bull Ring Erzbergrodeo Qualifiers.
The Red Bull Erzbergrodeo celebrates its 30th anniversary from June 4 to 7 in Eisenerz, Styria. Just a few kilometers away, in Spielberg—more precisely at Area24, a section of the Offroad Bike Track designed for enduro specialists – the first Hard Enduro qualification event took place on May 31, 2026. Following an extensive free practice session and a demanding Hard Enduro loop, three young riders proved themselves in a knockout-format competition and secured starting places for the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo:
- Lukas Hofer
- Fabian Bachler
- Lorenz Steinkellner
Additionally, the 12 finalists earned valuable points for the Hard Enduro World Ranking.
