With its brutal terrain, crazy obstacles and minimal finish rate, The Red Bull Erzbergrodeo is one of the ultimate tests of motorcycle endurance. It all happens right inside the town of Eisenerz, Austria in the largest iron ore mine in Central Europe. The 35-kilometre-long, boulder-strewn course features massive climbs with the backdrop of Styrian mountains and offers a mix of barren landscapes and Alpine vegetation.
More than 1000 riders from 43 different countries lined up to do battle with the ‘Iron Giant.’ This year, only 14 finished and two of those riders are South Africans! Statistically, that is a finish rate of just 2.8%. Just slightly higher than 2024’s mark..
This year, the lead for this race was shared between two top riders, with nine World Championships between them: Germanys Manuel Lettenbichler and Britains Billy Bolt.
In the end, it was KTM Factory Racing’s Lettenbichler who proved to be unstoppable, finishing first in 2 hours and 49 minutes, 11 minutes ahead of Bolt. Completing the podium was Sherco’s Teodor Kabakchiev with a time of 3 hours and 13 minutes.
“Coming to this race, you are the title contender. There was so much pressure already before the race. It was really difficult to chase Billy in the first third of the race as the pace was so high, and Theo was in between, but I managed to pass him and push on and try to give Billy a hard time. He was riding really well in the stones, but I knew that in the trees I should have him,” said Lettenbichler.”
It was another class act from the 27-year-old, who is now only one win away from matching Taddy Błażusiak’s Erzberg record of five.
Bolt, who returned to Erzberg after missing the 2024 edition had this to say:
“This is such a special event. It’s the race that made our sport what it is. I think if you had all day to complete the track, then it would not be so difficult. But, you know, the time limit and start of 50 guys on the same line, and the intensity that we ride at least the first hour of the race is insane.”
The race weekend began with rainy conditions on Saturday, which meant the course was a bit softer in places.
The opening day started with the Iron Road Prologue qualifying, which offered lots of action. Spain’s five-time Enduro World Champion Josep Garcia set the fastest time on the Iron Road Prologue.
Only the fastest 500 riders of the prologue qualified for the main race on Sunday. Amongst those were off-road racers Seth Quintero and 2025 Dakar and SA Safari Rally winner Daniel Sanders, who came to the mountain to perform a rally raid show run.
Starting from the front row, having placed sixth in the Prologue, Bolt hit the front, laying down a blistering pace until checkpoint number 10. Thats where the race saw a shift when Lettenbichler overtook Bolt, just before the ‘George Avenue’ checkpoint.
Weather woes…
An hour after the race started, the weather shifted with torrential rain bringing some additional challenges due to reduced traction. This changed the game.
As more and more competitors began to drop out during the course, the reigning Red Bull Erzbergrodeo and FIM Hard Enduro World Champion Lettenbichler just grew his lead and took his fourth win.
The fight for the third step:
In the battle for third, Trystan Hart was set for a podium finish until the bolts in his rear sprocket came adrift — forcing him to stop and tighten it all up.
The battle switched to Mitch Brightmore and Teo Kabakchiev, ending with a great move by Kabakchiev on the final hillclimb, Lazy Noon. The guys crossed under the arch a mere two seconds apart.
“I’m gutted to be honest,” Hart admitted. “I was on course for a podium until that issue right near the end. I had a solid rhythm and was closing in on second, so to miss out hurts. Still, another top five—I’ll be back next year aiming for the win.”
We have to give a nod to Jonny Walker’s brilliant sixth-place finish on his four stroke Triumph 250F. That’s bloody impressive.
Graham Jarvis started from the second row and rode to an eighth place overall. You just can’t keep a good man down!
The Aussies are also producing some talent! Will Riordan turned heads with a great Sherco ride crossing the line in ninth place.
Mario Roman (7th), Alfredo Gomez (10th), Wade Young (11th) and Matty Green, back from injury (12th) all claimed a very coveted finish.
Francesc Moret was, quite rightly, ecstatic with his 13th spot.
The final finisher of the day was Austria’s own Dieter Rudolf who arrived with just two minutes to spare. He was rewarded with a massive cheer from his home crowd.
