THIS IS HARD ENDURO

Hard Enduro — sometimes known as “extreme enduro” — has become one of the most challenging off-road motorcycle racing in existence. 

HISTORY

The history of hard enduro dates back to the early days of off-road motorcycle racing. In the 1920s and 1930s, motorcycle manufacturers began producing bikes designed for off-road racing, which led to the development of various types of off-road events.

Over time, off-road racing evolved into a variety of disciplines, including motocross, enduro, and trials. Roof of Africa was the very first Hard Enduro event back in 1967 and is still considered as the "mother of hard enduro". In the 1990s Hard enduro emerged as a distinct discipline, with events such as the Red Bull Erzberg Rodeo and Red Bull Romaniacs. 

As Hard Enduro grew in popularity, new events were established in various locations around the world. Despite the many international events, there hasn't been a world championship for a long time. That changed in the 21st century. What began as the WESS in 2018, World Enduro Super Series in, became the most recognized off-road championship within two seasons. Based on that tremendous success, our championship was awarded with an official FIM World Championship title, and continued in 2021 as the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship.

THE EVENTS

The events typically involve multiple stages, with different levels of difficulty designed for riders of varying skill levels. Although the specifics of hard enduro events can vary, most events are typically divided into two parts: the qualification and the main race.

During the qualification (prologue), riders are typically required to complete a challenging course. The results of the qualification determine the starting positions for the main race, with faster riders starting closer to the front of the pack.

During the main race, riders competing against each other to see who can complete the given track in the shortest amount of time. 

THE TERRAIN

Hard Enduro involves riding through outstanding, unique terrain, such as rocky hills, steep inclines, never ending trails and other iconic destinations for two wheels. 

THE BIKES

Hard enduro bikes are specially designed motorcycles that are built to handle the extreme terrain and challenges of hard enduro racing. They typically feature high-performance engines, rugged suspension systems, and lightweight frames. When choosing a bike for hard enduro racing, it's important to consider factors such as your riding style, skill level, and the type of terrain you'll be racing on. For the events and the championship, riders can choose their preferred make and size of motorcycle. 

SKILLS NEEDED

Having a combination of technical skills, physical fitness, and mental toughness are the key elements to successfully complete Hard Enduro races.