Erzbergrodeo 25-Year Hall Of Fame

The Erzbergrodeo celebrates its 25th edition this year, at round three of the World Enduro Super Series. The world-renowned Austrian Hard Enduro has witnessed many great battles and triumphs during its quarter of a century history, creating household names and notable careers for those who have graced the top step of the podium.

South Africa’s Alfie Cox was the first rider to write his name on that elusive list when he won the inaugural running of the event back in 1995. Claiming a double win in 1996 and 1997, Germany’s Chris Pfeiffer put himself on the Enduro map and with two more victories coming in 2000 and 2004 he went on to become the joint-second most successful rider ever to compete in the Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble. Italy’s Stefano Passeri took his KTM to the top of the podium in 1999.

Multi-time world champions and Dakar Rally winners have also conquered the Iron Giant over the years. Five-time World Enduro champion Giovanni Sala (Italy) has a winner’s trophy in his home, while five-time Dakar Rally winner Cyril Despres (France) stood atop the podium in 2002 and 2003. Enduro’s most decorated world champion Juha Salminen (Finland) was victorious in 2001, while sporting legend David Knight (GB) was the rider to beat in 2005 and 2006.

Blazusiak – Five Times A Winner

However, it’s Poland’s Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) – one of the contenders battling to become this year’s ULTIMATE ENDURO CHAMPION – who has the most victories around the Iron Giant. Claiming a breathtaking five consecutive Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble victories from 2007 until 2011, Blazusiak is the most successful rider to compete in the Austrian race.

Winning at the first time of asking in 2007, that memorable victory catapulted the KTM rider onto the world stage and led him to become a household name, going on to enjoy an illustrious career.

A fresh-faced Jonny Walker (KTM – GB) bounced onto the Enduro scene in 2011, placing third overall in his debut ride. Twelve months later and he secured his first of three Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble victories to cement his place in Enduro folklore. But still only 28 years young, and runner-up in 2018, another Iron Giant triumph is well within his grasp.

As the 2018 winner, Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) enters this year’s race with four wins to his name. The British rider has been an Erzbergrodeo stalwart for over a decade and has become monumental in creating iconic racing memories. Arguably his greatest victory in 2013 came in the most horrendous of conditions and against the odds. Greeted with flash floods and starting from row two, Jarvis carved his way through the pack to win the wettest edition on record.

Four Victors In One Race

The Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble has a habit of creating historic memories and in 2015 we witnessed no less than four winners on the top step of the podium. In a now iconic twist of faith, the Iron Giant tried to stop everyone in their tracks, including the world’s best Enduro riders.

Teaming up in true Enduro spirit, Graham Jarvis, Andreas Lettenbichler (GER), Jonny Walker and Alfredo Gomez (ESP) overcame the notorious Downtown section, eventually crossing the finish line together as joint winners. Two years later and Gomez finally etched his name onto the winners list as a ‘solo’ winner, becoming the first Spaniard to do so.

For the 25th edition of the Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble, and round three of WESS, Jarvis starts as favourite and is eager to join Blazusiak at the top of that illustrious winners list. However, the competition for victory will be fiercely contested.

Among those chasing a debut win include Germany’s Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM). A win on Sunday would see him emulate his father Andreas, while becoming the youngest victor of the race and the only father and son duo to have claimed a win.

Cody Webb (KTM) is another rider keen to create history. Twice a podium finisher, going one step higher on the box would see Webb become the first American winner in the event’s 25-year history.

Four Days Of Enduro Action Await

Staged across four days, the action opens with Thursday’s Mitas Rocket Ride. A hill climb like no other, competitors go head-to-head as they bid to conquer one of the Iron Giant’s steepest quarry climbs. Friday and Saturday are all about the Blakläder Iron Road Prologue where riders aim to qualify for Sunday’s main event. Against the clock, competitors compete in a time trial race as they blast their way up the maze of gravel-based quarry roads hoping to become one of the fastest 500 riders who will start the Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble.

Sunday is all about the serious business of racing. Faced with the world’s toughest Enduro course, the 500 qualified competitors have four hours to complete the 27 checkpoints strategically placed around the Iron Giant. Played out live on Red Bull TV, they will battle their way through near-vertical climbs and descents, cross boulder gardens and treacherous forestry roots and rocks. It’s a race where only the strongest survive and the greats of Enduro have etched their name onto the winner’s list.

Watch the Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble live exclusively on Red Bull TV and ServusTV Sunday June 2 from 14.00CET. Commentary available in English, German and Spanish with expert analysis from Darryl Curtis (English), Ivan Cervantes (Spanish) and Dieter Happ (German) with Busty Wolter for ServusTV.

Erzbergrodeo Event Coverage & Red Bull TV Schedule

Thursday, May 30
•   Mitas Rocket Ride live simulcast on Facebook and YouTube

Saturday, June 1
•   Ultimate Enduro Talk @ 19.00 CEST on Red Bull TV and YouTube

Sunday, June 2
•   Ultimate Enduro Talk @ 14.00 CEST
•   Main Race exclusive live on Red Bull TV (commentary English, Spanish and German) @14.00 CEST
•   Amateur Race live simulcast on YouTube and Facebook

Friday, June 8
•   26-minute Recap Program (EN) will be available on Red Bull TV

Friday, June 15
•   26-minute Recap Program (ES and GER) will be available on Red Bull TV

Find all Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble clips on Red Bull TV here.

Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble – Fast Facts

1762: Competitors who competed in 2018
500: Qualifying positions available for Red Bull Hare Scramble
180: Red Bull Media House crew producing the Erzbergrodeo Live TV shows
125: Time in minutes it took winner Graham Jarvis to complete the 2018 Red Bull Hare Scramble
116: Kilograms of starting number decals provided to riders
41: Time in seconds of Graham Jarvis’ 2018 winning margin
23: Competitors who finished in 2018
5: Taddy Blazusiak holds the most wins
4: Allocated time in hours to finish the Red Bull Hare Scramble course
1: There is only one Iron Giant! 

2019 Erzbergrodeo Schedule

May 30: Mitas Rocket Ride Superfinals – 20.00hrs
May 31: Blakläder Iron Road Prolog – from 08.00hrs
June 1: Blakläder Iron Road Prolog – from 08.00hrs
June 2: Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble – 14.30-18.30hrs

2018 Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble Podium

1. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna – GB) 2. Jonny Walker (KTM – GB) 3. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM – GER)

Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble Past Winners

2018: Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna)
2017: Alfredo Gomez (KTM)
2016: Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna)
2015: Jonny Walker (KTM), Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna), Andreas Lettenbichler (KTM), Alfredo Gomez (KTM)
2014: Jonny Walker (KTM)
2013: Graham Jarvis (Husaberg)
2012: Jonny Walker (KTM)
2011: Taddy Blazusiak (KTM)
2010: Taddy Blazusiak (KTM)
2009: Taddy Blazusiak (KTM)
2008: Taddy Blazusiak (KTM)
2007: Taddy Blazusiak (KTM)
2006: David Knight (KTM)
2005: David Knight (KTM)
2004: Chris Pfeiffer (Gas Gas)
2003: Cyril Despres (KTM)
2002: Cyril Despres (KTM)
2001: Juha Salminen (KTM)
2000: Chris Pfeiffer (Gas Gas)
1999: Stefano Passeri (KTM)
1998: Giovanni Sala (KTM)
1997: Chris Pfeiffer (Gas Gas)
1996: Chris Pfeiffer (Gas Gas)
1995: Alfie Cox (KTM)

Erzbergrodeo Event Information

Website: www.erzbergrodeo.at
Facebook: Erzbergrodeo
Instagram: @erzbergrodeo_official
Twitter: @erzbergrodeo

Photo credit: Philip Platzer/Red Bull Content Pool, Future7Media