Josep Garcia (ESP, KTM) sets the fastest time on the first day of the Blakläder Iron Road Prologue!
On the second race day of Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, nearly 1,100 participants, the largest and most colorful field in motorcycle offroad racing, took part in the high-speed battle against the “Iron Mountain.”
Five-time Enduro World Champion and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing factory rider Josep Garcia set an impressive fastest time on the 15 km gravel track, relegating Andrea Verona (ITA, GASGAS) and Daniel Sanders (AUS, KTM) to second and third place.
In light rain, the rugged gravel race track over the Erzberg presented itself to the starters of the Blakläder Iron Road Prologue 2025 in perfect condition. Dust-free visibility allowed for hearty acceleration and spectacular high-speed drifts by the entire Extreme Enduro world elite in attendance. At the end of the first day of prologue scoring, Spaniard Josep Garcia put on an impressive show of strength at the Blakläder Iron Road Prologue with his KTM 350 EXC-F, setting a clear best time of 10:25.661 minutes. At the finish line, the winner said: “The prologue track was perfectly prepared today and really very fast. I had a very good feeling on my KTM and am delighted with the fastest time.”
GASGAS factory rider Andrea Verona finished second with a time of 10:32.804, 7 seconds behind. With five Enduro World Championship titles to his name, the 26-year-old Italian is one of the most successful riders in the Enduro GP series, alongside Josep Garcia. Another 14 seconds behind, this year's Dakar Rally champion Danny Sanders took third place on his KTM 450 EXC-F on today's race day.
The other top favorites of the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo 2025 also didn't miss a beat and all qualified in the top 50, thus securing a spot on the front row of the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo starting grid this coming Sunday. Of course, the favorites Manuel Lettenbichler (DE, KTM), Trystan Hart (CAN, KTM), Billy Bolt (UK, Husqvarna), Jonny Walker (UK, Triumph), Mario Roman (ESP, Sherco), Teodor Kabakchiev (BG, Sherco), Wade Young (RSA, GASGAS) and Alfredo Gomez (ESP, Beta) are all there.
Graham Jarvis (UK, KTM), the five-time Red Bull Erzbergrodeo champion, missed out on the front row by just under 5 seconds and finished 58th. The 50-year-old exceptional athlete will therefore have to give it his all again tomorrow to fight his way into the top 50 and secure a better starting position.
Austria's young star, 17-year-old Valentino Hutter (GASGAS), finished a strong 22nd on today's first prologue day with a time of 11:26.085 minutes, once again placing himself among the international extreme enduro elite. Ossi Reisinger (AUT, Husqvarna), the most successful prologue rider in the history of the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo with five victories, finished 24th today, six seconds behind the leader.
Interim results BLAKLÄDER IRON ROAD PROLOG 2025 (first run):
1. Josep Garcia (ESP, KTM) 10:25.661 minutes
2. Andrea Verona (ITA, GASGAS) 10:32.804
3. Danny Sanders (AUS, KTM) 10:46.804
4. Dominik Olszowy (POL, Rieju) 10:54.455
5. Billy Bolt (UK, Husqvarna) 11:02.426
6. Jonny Walker (UK, Triumph) 11:03.519
7. Szymon Zajaczkowski (POL, KTM) 11:04.068
8. Will Riordan (AUS, Sherco) 11:09.074
9. Chris Gundermann (GER, KTM) 11:09.516
10. Manuel Lettenbichler (GER, KTM) 11:10.919
The complete interim results for Blakläder Iron Road Prologue can be found at https://www.redbullerzbergrodeo.com
Trial Xtreme Challenge offers spectacular action in the Action Arena
Just under 130 participants took on a very special challenge today in front of an enthusiastic audience. In the Trial Xtreme Challenge, the starters rode GASGAS trial motorcycles over a specially constructed trial course, which offered spectacular entertainment for thousands of Red Bull Erzbergrodeo visitors with a 5-meter-high steep wall curve. Following today's practice runs, tomorrow's timed qualifying will determine the 40 fastest riders who will compete in the Trial Xtreme Challenge Super Final in the evening. The winner will receive a very special prize: a guaranteed spot on the front row of the starting grid for Sunday's Red Bull Erzbergrodeo!
One-On-One Rider Presentation: Experience top-level riding technique up close!
The spectacular Red Bull Erzbergrodeo rider presentation was once again THE highlight for fans in the stands at the Action Arena in 2025! For two hours, event host Andi Brewi, with the support of Red Bull Erzbergrodeo press spokesman Martin Kettner, presented the top riders and newcomers of the international off-road motorcycle scene. At the One-On-One Rider Presentation, the riders showed off their breathtaking riding skills on the challenging trial course – a sensational spectacle that had the audience on the edge of their seats!
Red Bull Erzbergrodeo Kessel Parade XXX: the international extreme enduro community united in an impressive group photo with thousands of dirt bikes
On Friday evening, Red Bull Erzbergrodeo mastermind Karl Katoch gathered all participants, staff, journalists and VIP guests for a very special motorcycle parade that led from the arena to the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo starting area. Once there, the participants lined up their more than 2,000 motorcycles in a massive XXX formation. The globally unique group photo at the foot of the Erzberg is not only symbolic of the cohesion of the international extreme enduro community, it is also a tribute to the 30th anniversary of the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, which will take place next year. Whether factory pro or hobby rider – the entire field of participants in the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo can be seen in the photo!
As another highlight, Red Bull Erzbergrodeo mastermind Karl Katoch served up a spectacular Dakar Rally show run. 22-year-old Californian Seth Quintero (USA) drifted his Toyota GR DKR Hilux rally car around the thousands of participants in the XXX formation, providing breathtaking action in the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo starting area.
Tomorrow, on the second day of competition in the Blakläder Iron Road Prologue, all motorcycle fans can look forward to another fast-paced clash between the world's best hard enduro riders – at the end of the race day, the fastest 500 prologue riders will be determined who will have qualified to participate in the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo on Sunday – and enter the ring with the mighty “Iron Mountain”!
Authority: Red Bull Erzbergrodeo
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