The time is fast approaching for the most iconic hard enduro five day rallye to descend upon Sibiu, once again bringing together the loyal enduro community of elite professionals and amateurs of the sport.
The 2024 Edition 21, Limitless, will proudly welcome an impressive 64 nations from around the world, making this the most nations ever in Romanian history to attend in any single sporting event held on Romanian soil. Such worldwide participation is a testament to the legendary status of the Red Bull Romaniacs. It is the perpetual task of the founder, Martin Freinademetz, and his team to continually pick up the pace and push the extremes and creativity in hard enduro.
Red Bull Romaniacs is round four out of seven in the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship. Competitors will be extremely hungry to gain valuable points at this stage in the championship and with the current shuffling amongst the elite professionals taking place, it’s set to be an exciting year.
Four time winner at Red Bull Romaniacs, Mani Lettenbichler (DEU, KTM), will be competing only five weeks after having knee surgery. Billy Bolt (GBR, Husqvarna) is out due to knee surgery and the silent assassin, Graham Jarvis (GBR, Husqvarna) also received a recent injury which will surely affect his performance.
This opens up the playing field for the likes of Teo Kabakchiev (BGR, Sherco), who placed 3rd in 2023 and second in 2022, then there’s the question does Wade Young (ZAF) have what it takes to snatch the win? His first win since 2018 when he was just 22 years old. Young has been proving himself with outstanding results so far and currently leading in the Championship.
However, it is a guarantee that the hardened legends of Romaniacs, all of whom have exceptional Romaniacs records, will fight for their opportunity to be the Limitless champion, Mario Roman (ESP, Sherco), Alfredo Gomez (ESP, Rieju) and Jonny Walker (GBR) – who returns after a 4 year hiatus – will all have their sights on the victory.
The young and upcoming generation will also be fighting hard to gain points for the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship. The 2023 Junior Champion Mitch Brightmore was not able to experience the Romanian wilderness in 2023 after a crash during the Prolog put a premature end to his Romaniacs debut, whereas his strongest rival, Matthew Green, has already placed in the top ten twice at Romaniacs previously. There is also Suff Sella (ISR) who has several years of Romaniacs experience, including four years competing in Gold Class already under his belt. An impressive 95% of the registered FIM Junior competitors will attempt to take on the 2024 Red Bull Romaniacs.
In total eight females will be taking on the Limitless challenge, top professionals Sandra Gomez (ESP) and Kirsten Landman (ZAF) will both be competing in the Silver Class. The highly determined Slovenian, Tjaša Fifer will once again put her endurance to the test in Bronze.
Among the 64 nations Red Bull Romaniacs is proud to see increasing numbers of Romanian competitors starting every year. Emanuel Gyenes (ROU) is an inspiration and a true Romaniacs legend having competed in all previous twenty editions.
Rally style “big bike” navigators to watch out for as they pilot their way through the Romanian landscape are Pol Tarrés (AND) on his Ténéré 700, who has upped his game and set his sights on the Silver Class. Kevin Gallas (DEU) will pilot his Ténéré 700 in the Bronze Class and first timer Andrew Janik (USA) aims to reach the finish on his Ténéré 700 in Iron Class.
With the desire to meet the growth in interest and the future opportunity for an official adventure bike class Martin Freinademetz plans to create tracks which are more appealing and doable for the average amateur “big bike” competitor in 2025.
Red Bull Romaniacs 2024 – RACE SCHEDULE
The Edition 21 will get off to a spectacular start with the Opening Ceremony on Monday 22 July, at 13:00 hours with the Nations City Ride, where the competitors will carry their country flags on their motorcycles as they pass through the historical Sibiu town centre. Gold competitors will head to the Prolog for the DEMOmaniacs Prolog test run (13:45 hours), followed by a Press Conference, Meet and Greet and autograph session (from 14:00 hours) which will conclude the Opening Ceremony.
Tuesday 23 July kicks off with the famous in-city Prolog extravaganza. Qualifications will start at 07:30 on the Bulevardul Corneliu Coposu in the heart of Sibiu. Prolog mastermind Andy Fazekas has designed and created a wealth of man made obstacles mimicking natural hazards found out in the mountains and a combination of highly technical features as well as some flowy and speed sections. Prolog finals will commence at 16:00 hours with Gold qualifiers and 17:00 hours for the final showdown.
Wednesday 24 – Saturday 27 July are the four Offroad Days when the Limitless edition will push competitors to their utmost limits and the rallye style extreme hard enduro becomes sudden reality. Each of the Offroad days will feature the Live Transmission LEATT LIVEmaniacs which will capture some of the most technical Gold class action.
Live Transmissions featuring the Opening Ceremony, Prolog finals, the three Offroad stages of the LEATT LIVEmaniacs and the Offroad Day 4 Hillclimb Arena can be watched in real time on the Red Bull Romaniacs website , Facebook and official YouTube channel and can be replayed anytime afterwards so viewers from all continents have the chance to watch the most exciting action.
