Three Days. Nearly 300 Kilometres. Countless Rocks. IMPI Hard Enduro 2026 was one for the books.
Action In Motion was there to catch the pics! Thank you guys!
Every year, hundreds of riders descend on the Northern Drakensberg to tackle one of South Africa’s toughest off-road challenges. The 2026 edition was no different, serving up three days of unforgiving terrain, brutal climbs, rocky riverbeds and enough technical sections to test even the country’s best riders.
Whether chasing podiums in Gold or simply aiming to finish in Iron, every competitor faced the same mountain, the same rocks and the same determination to make it to the finish.
By all accounts, this was an epic weekend as 1200-plus machines lined up to start the gruelling Impi Hard Enduro in Bergville, KwaZulu Natal over the weekend.Â
After three days and just 222 kilometres of the toughest riding imaginable, it was James Moore who led a Beta 1-2-3 over Thomas Scales and Travis Teasdale.Â
Stark Varg rider Liam Elkington took Silver, Tyrone Pelser’s KTM Bronze and Ian Rall’s KTM Iron class honours. The tenth running of the Impi split riders into into pro Gold, serious Silver, weekend warrior Bronze and amateur Iron classes, each raced a different route depending on rider choice and ability.
Gold Class
At the sharp end of the field, James Moore delivered a commanding ride to claim the Gold Class victory in a total time of 09:23:35. Thomas Scales finished second in 09:36:40, with Travis Teasdale completing the podium in 09:40:51. Luke Walker crossed the line fourth in 09:42:49, while Matt Stevens rounded out the top five with a time of 09:47:39.
1st James Moore – 09:23:35
2nd Thomas Scales – 09:36:40
3rd Travis Teasdale – 09:40:51
4th Luke Walker – 09:42:49
5th Matt Stevens – 09:47:39
Gold Top Three…
Silver Class
The Silver Class belonged to Liam Elkington, who stormed to victory in 08:26:07. Rikus Stuart claimed second in 09:13:01, ahead of Geoff Patterson in 09:29:36. Alistair Feuilherade finished fourth in 09:49:41, with Christiaan Cilliers securing fifth in 09:52:48.
1st Liam Elkington – 08:26:07
2nd Rikus Stuart – 09:13:01
3rd Geoff Patterson – 09:29:36
4th Alistair Feuilherade – 09:49:41
5th Christiaan Cilliers – 09:52:48
Silver Top Three…
Bronze Class
In Bronze, Tyrone Pelser put together an impressive ride to take the win in 06:26:03. Judd Barwell followed in second with 06:52:09, while Tegan van Heerden completed the podium in 07:10:38. James Viljoen finished fourth in 07:32:17, just ahead of Kai Bell, who completed the top five in 07:33:16.
1st Tyrone Pelser – 06:26:03
2nd Judd Barwell – 06:52:09
3rd Tegan van Heerden – 07:10:38
4th James Viljoen – 07:32:17
5th Kai Bell – 07:33:16
Bronze Top Three…
Iron Class
The Iron Class proved once again that finishing IMPI is an achievement in itself. Ian Rall took the class honours on his KTM 390 Enduro in 05:08:55, followed by Tiaan Schutte in 05:23:15. Jody Robertson finished third in 05:31:35, Riley Bac claimed fourth in 06:05:58, and Gabriel Janse van Vuuren completed the top five in 06:29:13.
1st Ian Rall – 05:08:55
2nd Tiaan Schutte – 05:23:15
3rd Jody Robertson – 05:31:35
4th Riley Bac – 06:05:58
5th Gabriel Janse van Vuuren – 06:29:13
Iron Top Three…
IMPI is one of South Africa’s ultimate hard enduro bucket-list events. It’s not just about winning, it’s about surviving three relentless days in some of the country’s toughest terrain. Congratulations to every rider who reached the finish line.Â
If you conquered IMPI 2026, you’ve earned some bragging rights…
