Sibiu / Hermannstadt, 24 July 2026 For just over two decades, the Red Bull Romaniacs team didn't just organize the world's toughest Hard Enduro Rallye - it redefined what riders and their motorcycles could achieve off-road. Riders, manufacturers and bike technology evolved because of the Romaniacs-maniacs constantly pushing the performance levels to new, sometimes absurd heights year after year. Now that same catalyst is being applied to Adventure Bike racing.

This marks the emergence of a new dimension of Adventure Bike Racing at a level that has never existed before: Hard Adventure Racing. In some ways, history is repeating itself, because this is exactly how the world of Hard Enduro emerged more than two decades ago. The Romaniacs believe that the development of Hard Adventure will happen significantly faster – and with much greater public appeal. The sight of a big twin charging through terrain once reserved for lightweight Hard Enduro bikes is redefining expectations of what Adventure motorcycles can do.

The Red Bull Romaniacs team laid the foundation back in 2017, when Gerhard Forster (Touratech BMW), Quinn Cody (KTM) and Chris Birch (KTM) rolled onto the Iron class start line and wrote a new chapter in Romaniacs history, powering their big twin-cylinder Adventure bikes past Hard Enduro riders on terrain few believed they could conquer, leaving the paddock in disbelief. Remarkably, both Touratech (BMW) and KTM had independently arrived at the same idea: sending large-capacity Adventure bikes onto a softened Hard Enduro track. Gerhard Forster (Touratech BMW) finished an impressive 14th overall in the Iron class, while Quinn Cody (KTM) came home in 33rd. 

Almost ten years—and Pol Tarrés—later, the Red Bull Romaniacs introduced two dedicated Adventure classes in 2025 and were overwhelmed by the response. This year, 100 riders will line up across three Hard Adventure classes—Ultimate, Core and Lite (20 / 40 / 40)—reflecting the rapid growth of the discipline and the enormous interest from both riders and the motorcycle industry.

The Red Bull Romaniacs Adventure classes are far more than additional categories—they represent the emergence of a new racing discipline. "Madman" Martin Freinademetz will take riders and machines into terrain and challenges never before attempted on large-capacity Adventure bikes. The level of interest is reflected in a line-up that reads like a who's who of off-road motorcycling: Sam Sunderland, Ivan Cervantes, Pol Tarrés, Jonny Walker, Mario Roman, Adam Riemann, Kevin Gallas, Dieter Rudolf and Greg Gordinne.

The momentum extends far beyond the riders. Hard Adventure Racing has already attracted an exceptional level of manufacturer interest, with CFMOTO, BMW, KTM, Triumph and Yamaha actively supporting factory and partner entries, while Kove, Honda, Aprilia and Ducati are also represented among the competitors. For a discipline entering only its second season, the level of manufacturer participation is exceptional.

The enthusiasm is shared by riders, manufacturers and organizers alike.

Marc Bongers (BMW Motorrad) - "At BMW Motorrad, we share the enthusiasm for the emerging discipline of Hard Adventure Racing. That's why we're excited to line up with Adam Riemann in the Ultimate class at the Red Bull Romaniacs. We believe this area of motorsport will provide important impetus for the continued development of both motorcycles and riders—much like we experienced during the early years of Hard Enduro. The Red Bull Romaniacs played a key role in establishing that discipline, and we are proud to support Martin Freinademetz and his team in their vision to take this sport to the next level.”

Martin Freinademetz: “We want to drive this development as hard and as fast as possible. Our goal is to establish Hard Adventure Racing as a major racing discipline. That's why we're building it completely separately from Hard Enduro—with a dedicated team, its own rules, rankings and communication channels."

Hard Enduro changed the sport. Now the same pioneers are doing it again—this time with Adventure Bike Racing.
Bringing the "Hard" to Adventure Bike Racing.

Created by Volker Jacob

Media Team
Red Bull Romaniacs