Press Release / Sibiu, Romania - February 2026
HARD ENDURO WORLD RANKING launched on February 1, 2026 - introducing a transparent and global scoring system for the Hard Enduro sport
The Hard Enduro World Ranking (HEWR) officially launches on February 1, 2026, establishing the first globally standardized points system for extreme and hard enduro racing. The ranking evaluates rider performance across major international events including Red Bull Romaniacs and Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, creating a fair and transparent world ranking for athletes.
The Hard Enduro World Ranking launch has been in preparation for many months, with previous information already shared publicly about the concept and direction of the project. This press release simply marks the next planned step: the official HEWR website going live, the rules being published, and registrations opening for events worldwide.
HEWR is an independent global ranking system created by Karl Katoch and Martin Freinademetz, built on decades of experience with Red Bull Erzbergrodeo and Red Bull Romaniacs. It is not a reaction to recent championship discussions and not positioned against any existing series.
The goal is simple: to provide a transparent, global ranking that allows riders, events, fans and partners to better understand performance across the entire hard enduro season while supporting the long-term development of the sport worldwide.
Registration opens for hard enduro events worldwide
Starting February 1, organizers of hard enduro races from around the world can register their events at https://enduroworldranking.com/ To participate, events must be declared as Hard Enduro competitions, featuring technically demanding courses clearly distinct from motocross or classic enduro.
Registration is independent of any association, championship, or racing series. Organizers complete a digital registration form and upload the required documentation. Events are classified into four categories: Supreme, Premium, Master, and Challenger, based on defined criteria including sporting standards, number of participants, international representation, scoring days, prize money, and media coverage. This classification is reviewed annually regularly, allowing events to be upgraded, downgraded, or suspended if necessary.
Transparent scoring system inspired by tennis world rankings
The HEWR scoring structure is inspired by the ATP/WTA world rankings in tennis and allows riders to compete in any number of races per season while collecting ranking points. After each event, rankings are automatically updated and published online.
Points awarded depend on event category:
– Supreme: 2,000 points for the winner
– Premium: 1,200 points
– Master: 500 points
– Challenger: 250 points
Up to 500 participants per event receive ranking points.
The selection of top riders is based on a global ranking created from hard enduro races held in 2025. This “Pre-Season Ranking” includes results from events across North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia, and South Africa.
Race promoters are responsible for uploading official results within 48 hours after an event. For Supreme races, results must be submitted within one hour of official publication. Each promoter defines how class results (Pro, Amateur, Gold, Silver, Bronze, etc.) are consolidated into a single overall ranking result, which must be declared during registration and cannot be changed afterward.
USD 100,000 prize money for HEWR Top 10 riders
Participation in HEWR is free for Premium, Master, and Challenger events during the 2026 season. Supreme events contribute a USD 25,000 participation fee, used exclusively for system administration, further development, and prize money distribution.
At the end of the season, a total prize fund of USD 100,000 will be awarded to the Top 10 riders in the HEWR standings on February 1, 2027. This fund is supported by industry partners.
Collaboration with riders, organizers, and industry
An expert working group oversees the HEWR to ensure fairness and transparency. Representatives are elected annually, with voting rights held by members of the World Enduro Rider Association (WERA), the Top 100 ranked HEWR riders, registered race organizers, motorsport associations, and industry partners meeting defined investment criteria.
A strong foundation for the future of hard enduro
The Hard Enduro World Ranking creates a unified global framework that allows events to grow step by step, gives national riders direct international comparison, and offers fans and partners a clear overview of rider performance worldwide.
HEWR stands for an open, independent, and future-oriented system designed to strengthen extreme and hard enduro racing through cooperation between athletes, organizers, and industry stakeholders.
