2004 - The first ever rallye style competition with enduro bikes
Bartosz Oblucki, 2004
Martin Freinademetz, the founder of Red Bull Romaniacs, was visiting his wife's grandparents farm in the Carpathian Mountains, welcomed with traditional Carpathian hospitality and a feast served with the local pálinka drink. The following day while they were hiking in the forests, Martin and Sigi started chatting about the incredible enduro potential of the area and so it was realised from that day forth. Martin wasted no time and created “Freinademetz Offroad Adventure Tours” and was the first person to bring the sport of enduro to the Sibiu and Sebes area.
Martin, Ischgl, Austria
Having already succeeded in becoming a professional snowboarder, holding world titles, multiple times world champion and competing in the 1998 Olympics, Martin decided in 2002 to once again hit the world stage, this time by creating a new business from his motorbike hobby.
Despite some local opposition and being seen as a foreigner, Martin convinced the Romanian Motorcycling Federation (FRM) that he could create a high quality event. And so it began, Martin presented his budget to the late Dietrich Mateschitz, co-founder of Red Bull and supporter of extreme sports, who approved it, and then it was full steam ahead with only one year to plan. The Red Bull Head of Sports at the time, Thomas Uberall, came up with the name “Romaniacs” during a brainstorming session.
Seppo Suttner, 2004
The event concept was to be a rallye style competition with enduro bikes, which at that time had never been done before and would feature hardcore riding, mega challenges, stunning landscape and a rallye where competitors could use hotels and be close to the start each day and be welcomed by hospitable locals.
The first event in 2004 had 32 competitors at the start line. Now, 20 years later there will be the most competitors ever lined up to compete in Edition 20. Originating from 53 nations, with amateur classes filling up the fastest, Bronze within hours, Silver and Iron within a few of days of the registration opening.
Throughout the 20 years there has been one phrase continually used by competitors; “Martin is crazy”. This is undeniably an attribute of the Red Bull Romaniacs contributing towards its reputation and appeal. A “crazy” that has been ingrained over the two decades.
Bernd Hupfauf & Dieter Happ, 2004
In the early pioneering years it was Cyril Despres (FRA) who dominated the Red Bull Romaniacs hard enduro rallye scene with three overall wins in 2004, 2005 and 2007.
Chris Birch (NZL) had one title in 2011 and 6 podiums in total, one being during his “come back” in 2022 competing on a KTM EXC 500cc, 4 stroke in Silver class and Andreas Lettenbichler (DEU), with one title and 5 podiums in total. However, it is Graham Jarvis (GBR) who has stood on the Red Bull Romaniacs podium the most with a total of 12 times, and has 7 titles under his belt, the first one was achieved in 2008.
Cyril Despres: “Romaniacs was a mix of enduro and rally and this had never been done before. There were no barriers to riding, crazy long up and downhills and in nature, it’s one of the nicest countries I ever rode in. Romania is unique and has really nice people”.
Martin Freinademetz: “Over the 20 years we have seen a lot of development. Bikes, tyres and mousses developed a lot. The riding skills are getting better and better each year. We are very proud to have been a part of this development and pushing the limits and the levels higher each year. I’m looking forward to at least another 20 years!”
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TO 2023 “THE IMPOSSIBLE” - A 20 YEAR MILESTONE
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