The Red Bull Erzbergrodeo is the most iconic race on the HEWC calendar , and the 28th edition of the Austrian hard enduro provided no shortage of excitement and entertainment . A prologue held over two days set the starting order for Sunday ’ s main event : a gruelling 35-kilometre race around the Iron Giant , featuring legendary sections such as Carl ’ s Dinner , Machine and Dynamite , which riders have just four hours to complete . The 2024 edition saw many curveballs thrown at competitors , from new sections and significant changes to the order of the checkpoints . Riders were also not allowed to walk the track prior to racing . A two-day qualification process on Friday and Saturday faced the 1300 riders brave enough to take on the Iron Giant . Red Bull KTM Factory Racing ’ s Josep Garcia topped the time sheets by over 30 seconds to win comfortably . Manuel Lettenbichler set the fifth-fastest overall time . The 500 fastest riders lined up for Sunday ’ s main race , with both Lettenbichler and Trystan Hart comfortably positioned on the front row . Mani had a strong start , emerging from the quarry near the front of the pack .
He immediately put his head down and got his elbows out , storming into the lead just metres before the first checkpoint . Unfazed by the tough course , the German put on an Erzbergrodeo masterclass to build up an impressive 20-minute lead as he took on some of the most difficult sections in hard enduro . Choosing his lines tactically , Mani preserved his energy and maintained his speed until the very end of the race , where he crossed the finish line with over an hour to spare . “ That was such a crazy race and I ’ m so stoked to have been able to ride those incredibly gnarly sections . It ’ s amazing to have got my tenth win in a row and my third Erzberg win in a row . It feels amazing , it was definitely my day today and I ’ m super happy with this result . I ’ m honestly surprised at how confident I felt in the new sections , even when they were quite slippery and tough , but I just tried to use my head and choose the best lines to keep my speed up . Of course , I ’ m super excited for the rest of the season and I want to continue my winning streak .” KTM rider Trystan Hart also had a good day at the Iron Giant , finishing 20 minutes behind
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