Hard Enduro World Ranking hits the ground running: $100,000 on the line and 18 events already registered

The Hard Enduro World Ranking (HEWR) is off to a flying start in its debut season, with strong feedback coming in from riders, manufacturers, organisers, and media. Launched at the beginning of February, the system already lists 18 events across four continents and 14 countries, and it brings a headline-grabbing US$100,000 prize pool into the sport.

A $100,000 prize pool with a simple goal

HEWR starts 2026 with at least US$100,000 secured, with the potential to grow as more Supreme-level events join (Supreme events enter with a minimum US$25,000 fee).
The payout is straightforward: US$10,000 each to the Top 10 in the final season standings (cut-off date February 1, 2027).

The idea is to keep the fight alive deep into the season, with real motivation for riders hovering around the Top 10.

Events worldwide are already on board

Alongside the two Supreme icons Red Bull Erzbergrodeo and Red Bull Romaniacs, a wide range of events have registered in Premium, Masters, and Challenger categories. As of March 3, 2026, HEWR lists:

Supreme

• Red Bull Erzbergrodeo (Austria, June 4–7, 2026)
• Red Bull Romaniacs (Romania, July 28–August 1, 2026)

Premium

• Alestrem (France, April 17–19, 2026)
• Silver Kings (USA, June 18–20, 2026)
• Abestone Rodeo Miravale (Italy, July 10–12, 2026)
• Forza Orza (Sweden, August 20–22, 2026)
• Wild Woods Extreme (Italy, September 12–14, 2026)
• Hixpania (Spain, October 23–25, 2026)

Masters

• Rochepaule Extreme Enduro (France, June 19–20, 2026)
• Wildwood Rock Extreme Enduro (Australia, November 7–8, 2026)
• AvandaRocks Hard Enduro (Mexico, November 13–15, 2026)

Challenger

• Hellsride Hard Enduro (Austria, May 1–3, 2026)
• I do Hard Enduro (Estonia, June 12–14, 2026)
• Jacots Ranch Hard Enduro (USA, June 13–14, 2026)
• Enduro Bung Extreme Race (Kosovo, November 7–8, 2026)
• Uran Enduro (Bulgaria, September 11–13, 2026)
• Ukupacha Extreme (Ecuador, November 6–8, 2026)
• Isegrim Enduro (Germany, September 26, 2026)

Built by the biggest names in the sport

HEWR was co-created by Karl Katoch (Red Bull Erzbergrodeo) and Martin Freinademetz (Red Bull Romaniacs), using a tennis-style ranking concept designed to make results easier to compare globally.

Karl Katoch said:
“With the Hard Enduro World Ranking we’re creating maximum benefit for everyone: Riders gain international visibility, fair opportunities, and real prize money; events grow through clear categories and bigger fields; and the industry profits from a more professional, transparent scene. This is the next big step in the professionalization of Hard Enduro—straightforward, rider-focused, and for the entire community.”

Martin Freinademetz added:
“The Hard Enduro World Ranking opens doors for riders and teams with smaller budgets: At the end of the season competitors can actually take home real money—offering competitors a motivational reward for the cost and effort that they dedicate to the sport. At the same time, the event selection respects the reality for all involved—riders, teams, and industry. No pressure, no barriers, just genuine opportunities in a growing and fair scene.”

How organisers can join

There are two routes into HEWR:

1. Events register via enduroworldranking.com (registration through the official form), or
2. Events are selected directly by the HEWR team.

Event classification into Supreme, Premium, Masters, and Challenger follows criteria published on the website, based on objective factors like participation, top rider presence, professionalism, and media reach.

No bureaucracy for riders

One of the key points pushed by HEWR is that riders don’t need extra steps to be ranked: no separate registration, no ranking fee, no extra licence requirement. Riders simply compete at listed events, and results are processed into the ranking automatically.

A bridge with WERA’s six-round approach

With WERA riders stating they will contest only six of the nine HEWC rounds in 2026, HEWR says it respects that position and will automatically include those six races in its ranking list, giving riders added flexibility while connecting the systems.

Zona Enduro take

Hard enduro has needed a clean, global ranking system for a long time. If HEWR keeps growing at this pace—and delivers the prize money as promised—it could become a major pillar of the sport alongside the biggest standalone events and championship racing.