Sandra Gomez On Battling The Red Bull Erzbergrodeo Iron Giant

Round two of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship saw AG Racing’s Sandra Gomez claim the Women’s Hard Enduro Performance Award supported by GASGAS at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo.

Taking on the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo is no mean feat. At 35 kilometres long, the Iron Giant weaves a course that’s as tough as they come. It takes no prisoners.

While the ultimate goal on Sunday is to conquer all 27 checkpoints, for the majority of the 500 riders out there simply getting as far as they can is a victory in itself.

AG Racing’s Sandra Gomez is someone who is no stranger to the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, and well used to the thrills and spills the Iron Giant serves up. On Sunday, she tested herself against the world’s toughest single day Hard Enduro once more.

Reaching checkpoint 16 - One Way Train - within the four-hour race time, Sandra finished a very creditable and hard-fought 133rd overall.

While the dream of one day coming home with a finisher’s flag remains, as the top female finisher she claimed the Women’s Hard Enduro Performance Award supported by GASGAS trophy.

“I’m pretty happy with how things went,” told Sandra following the event. “Starting from row two was a big goal and made a huge difference to my race. With less riders in front of me than previous years, it helped a lot.”

However, despite a good start, a damaged radiator hampered her progress.

“A rock hit my bike pretty hard at the start and that put a hole in my radiator. I couldn’t fix it, so I had to keep filling it with water to keep going. I’m pleased with how far I got. I gave it my best.”

With time to take stock of her result, the next race on the cards for her is round three of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship at Red Bull Romaniacs in July.

As the first female rider to complete the Gold class, she’s signed up for five more days of exciting Hard Enduro racing.

“I’m looking forward to getting back into the Romaniacs mountains. I like racing Gold class. It’s tough, but the feeling of finishing it is so worth it.

“I think that’s something about Hard Enduro I love. I hope this award encourages more female riders to come out and give it a go!”

The FIM Hard Enduro World Championship continues with round three at Red Bull Romaniacs in Romania on July 25-29.