The world’s elite motorcycle off road athletes prepare for a gnarly insight with the infamous Iron Giant!

From June 4th to 7th, more than 1500 dirt bike riders from all around the globe will set their sails to the city of Eisenerz, Austria.

Winner Jonny Walker performs at the Red Bull Hare Scramble in Eisenerz, Austria on June 1st, 2014.

The rather quaint and picturesque region in the heart of Austria will once again turn into the epicenter of the international motorcycle offroad community. The Erzbergrodeo gathers pro-riders and ambitious amateurs from 38 nations and all continents to challenge the mean and unforgiving mountain called the “Iron Giant”. The starting grid of the 2015 edition sounds like the Who-is-Who of offroad motorcycle sports and guarantees maximum excitement for all race events during the four days of Erzbergrodeo. Here’s the lowdown on who will grace the Erzberg’s red carpet in June 2015:

The KTM Extreme Enduro Factory Racing Team will sport an extremely powerful line-up at the Erzbergrodeo’s 21st edition. 2014 winner Jonny WALKER (UK) and last years third placed Andreas LETTENBICHLER (GER) lead KTM’s efforts to gain the prestigious win at the Red Bull Hare Scramble 2015. 24-years old Walker impressively started his season by dominating the first two rounds at Hell’s Gate (ITA) and The Tough One (UK). Being well known as the most successful German Xtreme Enduro athlete, routinier Andreas Lettenbichler is very familiar with the Red Bull Hare Scramble podium. “Letti” parked his bike on the podium a remarkable 6 times, but has yet to put a win under his belt.

The real sensation could be provided by another KTM factory rider though: Taddy BLAZUSIAK (POL) returns to Erzbergrodeo! The Erzbergrodeo’s most successful rider ever has won the notorious Red Bull Hare Scramble Xtreme Enduro for a consecutive 5-times (2007-2011), dominated the AMA Endurocross series over the past few years and crowned himself FIM Superenduro World Champion for the 6th time just a few weeks ago. The 31-years old dirt bike and trials specialist recently claimed that “it’s about time to return to his roots” and is eager to collect another trophy at “his very own iron mountain”.

Besides the KTM factory stars, 2015 could be the year of three (nationally) supported KTM-riders. 23-years old Philipp SCHOLZ (GER) already celebrated two appearances at the Red Bull Hare Scramble finish as well as top results at the Red Bull Sea to Sky Extreme-Enduro. 25-years old Spaniard Mario ROMAN SERRANO (ESP) proofed his talent in 2014 by finishing amongst the top-15 at Erzberg, while Austrias most successful Hard Enduro athlete Lars ENOECKL (AUT) could celebrate his third Red Bull Hare Scramble finish in front of thousands of fans last year. These talented youngsters race and train with the factory pros on a regular basis and are more than ready to turn some heads amongst the factory head coaches!

EISENERZ,AUSTRIA,01.JUN.14 – MOTORSPORT, MOTORRAD, MOTOCROSS – Erzbergrodeo 2014, Red Bull Hare Scramble, Siegerehrung. Bild zeigt die Teilnehmer, die das 20. Erzbergrodeo beendet haben.

KTM’s biggest challenger at Erzbergrodeo, the potent Bel Ray Husqvarna Enduro Factory Team, will send Graham JARVIS (UK) and Alfredo GOMEZ (ESP) into the fight with the Iron Giant. 40-years old Jarvis is widely regarded as the man to beat in Xtreme Enduro sports and celebrated his first ever triumph at Erzbergrodeo in 2013. In 2014, Graham was only beaten by fellow Brit Jonny Walker. 25-years old teammate Alfredo Gomez secured a Red Bull Hare Scramble podium finish in 2013 and is definitely a rider to be counted in for a first win this year.

Ben Hemingway (GBR).

The Italian Beta Enduro Factory Team will be represented by sympathic brothers Ben and Dan HEMINGWAY (UK). With a 3rd place podium and several top-5 results at Erzberg, younger brother Ben has established himself amongst the top riders in Xtreme Enduro and is regarded as one of the frontrunners in 2015 as well. With four top-10 results at Erzbergrodeo, older brother Dan is not less successful and well known for his never ending determination and endurance.

Crowd favorite and Trials legend Dougie LAMPKIN (UK) is an Erzbergrodeo fixture. The 12-times (!) Trials World Champion takes on the challenge for the 6th time and already clinched the Red Bull Hare Scramble podium 3 times. Though the charismatic Red Bull athlete has officially ended his World Championship carreer, Dougie definitely has to be regarded as one of the main contenders for the prestigious win at the 2015 Erzbergrodeo.

South African Brother Leader Tread KTM Team fully counts on the talented offspring this year. 19-years old Wade YOUNG (RSA), 21-years old Scott BOUVERIE (RSA) and 17-years old Travis TEASDALE (RSA) will lead the South African efforts to follow the footsteps of iron legends like Alfie Cox and Darryl Curtis at Erzberg. Wade Young, at the age of 16 the youngest ever winner of the legendary Roof of Africa Hard Enduro-Rallye, already secured top-15 finishes in 2013 and 2014. Altus DE WET (RSA, Sherco) and Blake GUTZEIT (RSA, Husqvarna) are two more fast and talented riders from South Africa, both rank amongst the top offroad riders in their home country and inscribed themselves to the hand-picked list of Red Bull Hare Scramble finishers in 2014.

Another highlight for all fans of extreme motorsports hails from Australia: Robbie MADDISON (AUS, KTM) is already gearing up for his first ever visit at the Erzbergrodeo. Maddison is regarded as “today’s Evel Knievel” and has gathered an enormous fan base all over the world with his infamous motorcycle stunt riding. Since 2008 “Maddo” owns a world record for jumping his dirt bike over a distance of 107 (!) meters, only to backflip over the opened Tower Bridge of London in 2009. In 2010 Maddison jumped the Corinth Canal and 2014 Robbie upped even his own antics by jumping his KTM from the Olympic ski jumping hill in Salt Lake City – landing at an amazing 114 meters! The 33-years old Australian will race the Generali Iron Road Prolog and host the screening of Red Bull Media House’s brand-new motorcycle sports movie project On Any Sunday, The Next Chapter inside the Erzbergrodeo Arena.

LARS ENOCKL Photo (c) Philip Platzer

Austria’s got talent: Strong local competitors at the Erzbergrodeo XXI
Despite the powerful international competition at Erzberg, Austria’s top dirt bike riders manage to keep the crowd on their feet each year. To place amongst champions from all over the world and earn the respect (and interest) from factory team principals and industry people is indeed a huge motivation. Lars ENOECKL (KTM), Dieter RUDOLF (KTM), Rudi POESCHL (Husqvarna), Ossi REISINGER (Husqvarna) and Patrich NEISSER (Husqvarna) are only the spearheads of a full phalanx of national riders, who are eager to prove themselves in front of thousands of local fans at the Erzbergrodeo XXI. Enoeckl, Rudolf and Poeschl have already put their names in the record books of international Hardenduro racing and are considered Austria’s top guns at the Red Bull Hare Scramble, while Ossi Reisinger and his fellow Austrian offroaders already earned their laurels in the Kärcher Rocket Ride uphill race and the high-speed Generali Iron Road Prologue. Once again, these local heroes are ready to make the Austrian motorsports fans cheer at this years Erzbergrodeo.

4 days of full throttle: the Erzbergrodeo XXI offers even more than racing
The world’s most renowned Xtreme Enduro event knows how to keep it’s visitors on their feet by offering a full load of entertaining, exciting and breathtaking side events on all four days of the event. Here’s what actionsport fans have to await at this years Erzbergrodeo:

On Any Sunday, The Next Chapter screening: Motorcycle stunt riding entrepreneur Robbie Maddison presents the new Red Bull Media House movie project inside the Erzbergrodeo-Arena! The screening starts right after the Erzbergrodeo XXI group photo.

Erzbergrodeo Ziesel Race: What happens if you put an easy to steer, electric powered off road vehicle on a gnarly off road track, add some celebrities and even some motivated motorcycle top riders? Correct, this guarantees for pure entertainment! By adding Erzbergrodeo mastermind Karl Katoch and MX legend Heinz Kinigadner to the game, you’ll even get an unforgettable fun-event! Karl & Heinz each form a team and “race” against each other…

Mitas One-on-One Rider Presentation: No other dirt bike event on the planet draws the attention of more superstars than Erzbergrodeo. The spectacular rider presentation inside the Erzbergrodeo Arena provides the unique possibility to witness the best motorcycle offroad riders of the world on an exclusively built Xtreme Enduro parcours. Any closer, and you’ll need a helmet too…

Freestyle MX-Show: As soon as the FMX4ever-Crew takes over the airspace above the Erzbergrodeo Arena, it’s all about denying gravity!

etrial Kids Scramble: The Erzbergrodeo offers kids at the age of 6 to 12 years the unique possibility to experience motorcycle offroad riding in a controlled and safe environment. Ambitious youngsters can make their first steps on our electric trials bikes or even hone their skills under the guidance of our experienced off road teachers. It’s guaranteed fun!

Erzbergrodeo XXI Group Photo: The motorcycle offroad community’s biggest group shot! Right after the Sturm aug Eisenerz Erzbergrodeo mastermind Karl Katoch gathers all competitors, entourage and crew members at the Red Bull Hare Scramble start area. Thousands of dirt bikes and their riders form a giant “XXI logo” for this unique group shot – which truly carries the Myth of Erzbergrodeo around the world!

For more informations about the Erzbergrodeo side events and the event’s schedule please visit www.erzbergrodeo.at