Stark Future sweeps REMUS Rocket Ride podium as Sebastien Tortelli wins Erzberg opener

Electric start to Red Bull Erzbergrodeo 2026

The 2026 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo kicked off in spectacular fashion on the Iron Mountain, with the REMUS Rocket Ride once again delivering full-throttle steep-slope action in front of thousands of fans.

A total of 275 riders lined up for the opening day, taking on the brutal uphill course made up of four steep climbs. From qualifying to the evening Superfinals, the racing was intense, loud and packed with drama.

Sebastien Tortelli takes the win

The big story of the day was Sebastien Tortelli. The former motocross world champion gave Stark Future a perfect start to the event, taking victory on the electric-powered Stark VARG and claiming his first-ever Rock Cup on the gnarly Rocket Ride course.

It was also a dominant day for Stark Future, with the brand sweeping the podium. Marc Sans finished second, while David Herbreteau completed the top three, making it a clean Stark VARG 1-2-3.

Stark VARG shows serious power on the hill

With 10 Stark VARG riders in the field, the electric bikes made a major statement on the steep Erzberg slopes. In the final, Tortelli had enough to beat his teammates Sans and Herbreteau, while Austrian legend Ossi Reisinger crashed right at the finish line but still managed to secure fourth place.

Behind the Stark riders, Kevin Gallas finished fifth on Yamaha, with Michael Staufer taking sixth on KTM.

More than just racing

The atmosphere around the Rocket Ride track was exactly what Erzberg is known for. Thousands of fans packed the course and pushed the riders with huge energy from the first qualifying runs all the way to the Superfinal.

The opening day also brought extra show moments, including a wild run by the Schmidt Racing Team in their V8 all-wheel-drive buggy, plus a special appearance from young mountain bikers Hannah Magdalena Höfinger and David Hackl, who rode the full REMUS Rocket Ride course from top to bottom to bring the starting flag to the line.

REMUS Rocket Ride 2026 Final Results

1. Sebastien Tortelli — FRA, Stark VARG
2. Marc Sans — ESP, Stark VARG
3. David Herbreteau — FRA, Stark VARG
4. Ossi Reisinger — AUT, Stark VARG
5. Kevin Gallas — GER, Yamaha
6. Michael Staufer — AUT, KTM

The Iron Mountain is officially alive, and the first trophy of Red Bull Erzbergrodeo 2026 goes electric.