New Hard Enduro World Ranking System Launched by Erzbergrodeo and Romaniacs Organizers
Beginning in 2026, the newly proposed Hard Enduro World Ranking (HEWR) will introduce a points-based scoring system modeled after the ATP/WTA rankings in tennis. Athletes will accumulate world ranking points throughout the year at all sanctioned races in their respective categories.
The primary objective is to offer a clear and global assessment of the performance of international Hard Enduro athletes over the season.
This initiative aims to acknowledge riders, organizers, and events worldwide, promoting them collectively. It seeks to unify races that do not culminate in a championship title yet encourage global event participation.
The plan also presents a platform for emerging riders to gain visibility and enables athletes to be ranked based on the types of events they excel in, rather than solely those chosen by series organizers.
Karl Katoch and Martin Freinademetz, the race directors behind Red Bull Erzbergrodeo and Red Bull Romaniacs, emphasize their vision of providing an alternative to the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship. They aim to unify events under the hard enduro umbrella without the restrictions of a formal championship, making it more accessible, especially for young riders looking to advance their careers.
“Hard Enduro has seen global growth in recent decades, spanning diverse regions from South Africa to Central Europe and beyond. Previous championship formats have generally focused solely on elite competitions, neglecting the positive developments in junior markets. The Hard Enduro World Ranking aims to highlight the sport’s diversity and support junior racing events, cultivating the next generation of riders.”, explains Martin Freinademetz.
Katoch elaborates: “Before granting world ranking points to athletes, races will be assessed based on established quality criteria. Factors such as the participation of elite riders, demographic diversity, spectator facilities, media coverage, prize distribution, and the length of the event will categorize races transparently—from Supreme to Hobby.”
Collaborative Efforts Emphasized
The idea of consolidating international Hard and Extreme Enduro events is not entirely new. It previously led to the formation of the World Enduro Super Series (WESS) in 2018 and, ultimately, the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship in 2021.
Controversies have often surrounded the FIM World Championship, including its relationship with WESS and issues regarding its governance, leading to the dissolution of WESS Promotions after four years in charge. The decisions by Erzberg and Romaniacs to refrain from joining the world championship reflect ongoing debates.
The Hard Enduro World Ranking embraces collaboration with the recently established WERA (World Enduro Riders Association), which has also been introduced recently.
“We encourage WERA members to share their insights and expertise for selecting HEWR races,” says Katoch. “We also seek to foster cooperation with the FIM, as our goal is to collaborate rather than compete. We view the Hard Enduro World Ranking as complementary to the FIM World Championship.”
Moving forward, the official Hard Enduro World Ranking website will be launched to provide comprehensive details on how points will be awarded. Registration for all interested Hard and Extreme Enduro events will begin on January 1, 2026.
Photo Credit: Future7Media | Andrea Belluschi
