An action picture from Saturday. © KLaus Listl

Erzbergrodeo: This happened on Saturday

The Red Bull Erzbergrodeo field of participants went into the second and decisive prologue day on Saturday, which offered the starters an even tougher route. It was difficult to improve times on the worn gravel track, but the drivers still gave their all to secure their qualification for the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo on Sunday. Ultimately, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing factory rider Josep Garcia took victory at the Blakläder Iron Road Prologue 2024!

June 02, 2024

From: pm

The second prologue evaluation day presented the participants from 50 nations with better weather than yesterday. Less fog and no rain ensured optimal enduro conditions. Since the 15 kilometer long route was heavily used after yesterday's prologue day and therefore very selective, only a few drivers were able to improve on their running times from yesterday. The Spanish 3-time EnduroGP world champion and 2-time Red Bull Erzbergrodeo finisher Josep Garcia was able to win his second rock trophy at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo with his best time yesterday. “I’m really happy to be back at Erzberg after a 5-year break and then achieve my second prologue victory. The atmosphere here is absolutely unique and the prologue route was a real highlight with its fast passages!” said Garcia, who was riding a KTM 350 EXC-F.

The performances of the other two podium finishers were also strong. The German private rider Chris Gundermann landed second on the podium with his KTM, impressively demonstrating his talent. Third came the Polish Rieju Factory Racing factory driver Dominik Olszowy, who took his second podium place at the Blakläder Iron Road Prologue, just one second behind Gundermann.

The other aspirants for the prestigious victory at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo were all able to place in the top 50 of the Blakläder Iron Road Prologue, ensuring an extremely exciting front row for tomorrow's highlight. In addition to Manuel Lettenbichler (DE, KTM), there are also Wade Young (RSA, GASGAS), Teodor Kabakchiev (BG, Sherco), Jonny Walker (UK, Beta), Trystan Hart (CAN, KTM), Mario Roman (ESP, Sherco) and Alfredo Gomez (ESP, Rieju) on the front row. There are also other podium favorites such as Graham Jarvis (UK, Husqvarna) and the Austrian Michael Walkner (GASGAS), who could cause a big surprise in the rankings tomorrow. Also noteworthy is the performance of the 16-year-old (!) Valentino Hutter (AUT, GASGAS), who made it into the top 12 among the off-road world elite and will also be on the front row of the grid tomorrow.

As expected, the twin-cylinder class of the Blakläder Iron Road Prologue also delivered motorsport at the highest level on the second day of racing. The exciting three-way battle between KTM, Ducati and Yamaha went to the final and was won by Antoine Meo (FRA, Ducati). Chris Gundermann (DE) sensationally took second place on a Husqvarna Norden 901, while Pol Tarres (ESP) took his Yamaha Tenere to third place. Johnny Aubert (FRA, KTM) took an impressive 7th place overall on the KTM AMT prototype,

Sandra Gomez Cantero, the most successful Extreme Enduro athlete in the scene, clearly won the Lady Cup Prologue ranking. In total, riders from 15 nations and 4 continents are on the front row of the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo 2024.

Final result BLAKLÄDER IRON ROAD PROLOG 2024 (after 2 runs):

1.Josep Garcia (ESP, KTM) 10:19,563 minutes
2.Chris Gundermann (DE, KTM)10:49,806
3.Dominik Olszowy (POL, Rieju)10:50,955
4.Wade Young (RSA, GASGAS)10:54,174
5.Manuel Lettenbichler (DE, KTM)10:54,354
6.Teodor Kabakchiev (BG, Sherco)10:55,229
7.Jonny Walker (UK, Beta) 11:01,355
8.Carson Brown (USA, KTM) 11:05,115
9.Trystan Hart (CAN, KTM) 11:09,14
10.Michael Walkner (AUT, GASGAS)11:10,507