Two of the biggest names in Hard Enduro – Red Bull Erzbergrodeo and Red Bull Romaniacs – have joined forces to launch a new initiative: the Hard Enduro World Ranking (HEWR), set to roll out in 2026.
The HEWR introduces an ATP-style points system, similar to tennis, where riders will earn points at participating hard and extreme enduro events throughout the season. The goal is to create a transparent and consistent way to compare riders globally, rewarding performance at events that suit each athlete’s strengths — not just the ones on an official championship calendar.
How It Will Work
The organisers plan to categorise events — from “Supreme” to “Hobby” — based on factors such as:
-
Quality of the starting field and international mix of riders
-
Event infrastructure and spectator experience
-
Media reach and prize money
-
Race format and duration
Riders will collect points according to the event’s category, with organisers able to upgrade their race’s status as it grows in scale and quality.
Why It Matters
The system is designed to recognise grassroots and regional events, giving young and up-and-coming riders a path to visibility and recognition without needing to join a single championship series.
Martin Freinademetz (Romaniacs) highlighted the aim of supporting junior racing scenes worldwide, while Karl Katoch (Erzbergrodeo) stressed that HEWR isn’t a rival to the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship but a complementary ranking system to bring the sport closer together.
A Bit of Background
This isn’t the first attempt to unify hard enduro events. We’ve seen WESS (World Enduro Super Series) launched in 2018 and later evolve into the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship in 2021. Disagreements and organisational changes in recent years led Erzbergrodeo and Romaniacs to step back from the FIM series — paving the way for this new approach.
Event registration for the HEWR opens January 1, 2026, with an official website and full points breakdown to be announced soon.
Enduro Channel’s Take
Hard Enduro is a global sport with iconic races on almost every continent, yet riders often struggle to be measured on the same scale. The HEWR could be a refreshing step to spotlight talented newcomers and celebrate events beyond the major championships. If executed well, it has the potential to connect the hard enduro community like never before.
Information based on official announcements from Erzbergrodeo & Romaniacs organisers – October 2025.
