The 17th edition of EnduroPanorama kicked off under grueling conditions in the heart of the Romanian wilderness, staying true to its reputation as one of the toughest Hard Enduro events in the country.
The rain-soaked terrain and unpredictable weather pushed both riders and organizers to their limits, with route adjustments happening on the fly to ensure safety while preserving the spirit of hard enduro.
Michael Walkner (AUT) of the GasGas Factory Team dominated the day, setting a blistering pace and finishing with a clean time of 1h26:18.69. Walkner demonstrated why he’s considered one of the top talents in the sport, making quick work of the muddy climbs and technical sections.
Michael Walkner, after the race:
“I had lots of fun right at the beginning, I found a good rhythm. A difficult uphill I would say, but after that a fast track, but not so easy because of the slippery terrain.”
David Cyprian (CZE), riding for CYPRIAN s.r.o., secured second place just over two minutes behind, clocking in at 1h28:22.14. His smooth and calculated riding style paid off on the slippery forest trails.
The third spot went to Kornel Ott (HUN) from GoRacing, who finished in 1h31:10.25, holding off strong competition from Brazil’s Rico Rigor, who followed closely in 1h31:43.17.
Other notable performances included:
- Zsolt Varga (ROU) – 7th place, top Romanian rider of the day with 1h36:04.60, riding for Nordicamoto.ro/GoRacing.
- Raul Patrau (ROU) – 8th place with 1h36:37.36, showing consistency and strength through the relentless terrain.
- Fernando Maldonado (ESP) – unfortunately recorded a DNF, highlighting just how punishing the conditions were.
With the rain making sections nearly impassable, the commitment of the Moto Club Haita team was evident as they worked tirelessly to adapt the course in real-time. Riders were tested not only on skill but also on endurance, improvisation, and grit.
Tight Competition and Slovenian Pressure in EXPERT Class
The EXPERT class also saw intense action on Day 1, with a tight race among the top five riders.
Zdenek Pitel (CZE) from Dr.K Racing Team clinched the top spot with a strong time of 1h31:42.56, a performance that would have placed him well in the PROFI standings as well.
German rider Timo Bergmann (TACS PRO-RACING) came in second with 1h35:41.80, closely followed by fellow countryman Robin Staiger in 1h36:13.09.
The Slovenian squad from Enduro Pudgura made their mark with Jure Jurca and Robert Kreft finishing 4th and 5th respectively, keeping the pressure on the podium with times just over 1h38.
With more rain forecasted and even tougher sections coming up, the EXPERT class promises more surprises as the battle for consistency and stamina continues.
This is just the beginning—Day 2 promises even more action as the field narrows and the challenge intensifies. Will Walkner hold his lead, or will the muddy battlefields of Hunedoara shuffle the podium once more? Stay tuned for more updates from the heart of Romania’s enduroPanorama epic race!
Foto – Marius Dinca – FRM.ro
enduroPanorama-2025-DAY-1-RESULTS
