The revered and feared In-city Prolog, ahead of its time in 2004, now a classic event on the hard enduro world stage.
The Prolog - revered for the concept and creation and feared by the competitors who are lined up at the start, facing giant obstacles and thousands of spectators. It is fifteen minutes that most competitors will remember for a long time to come.
Smashed cars from the 2005 Prolog
Prior to 2004 the concept of an inner city enduro Prolog featuring man-made obstacles was unheard of, it was an idea pioneered by Red Bull Romaniacs and has now become a worldwide standard. Both the concept and obstacles have been replicated in world events, such as indoor SuperEnduro, over and over.
The Prolog is the signature of the beginning of the five days of madness at Red Bull Romaniacs, so where did the concept come from?
Gold class in the tyres and rocks, 2018
Red Bull Romaniacs founder, Martin Freinademetz came up with the idea of the Romaniacs In-city Prolog following his experience as a professional snowboarder. After witnessing how many spectators attended a world snowboarding event hosted in Paris compared to those hosted in smaller mountain resorts, he concluded that if he wanted a lot of spectators to come to see the action then he needed to bring the action closer to the people. However, it wasn't until Martin joined forces with Andy Fazekas, who is the founder of the Crazy Bike Club, Romania's first motorcycle club, that the idea was fully born.
Andy chose to boldly seize the opportunity to bring the action, full throttle, directly to the middle of the main street in Sibiu city centre. Sibiu municipality was supportive and so the experimental first inner city Prolog took place in 2004.
Competitor and late friend, Chris Pfeiffer, demonstrates some skills at the first ever Prolog in 2004
The 2004 Prolog attracted around 2000 spectators and it has now grown to over 10,000 spectators, so popular that people take holiday time from work and many visitors travel internationally to be part of the action. Overall Red Bull Romaniacs generates valuable tourism revenue to Sibiu, which is a city renowned for hosting a diverse range of sporting events.
In 2006 the city Prolog went to the heart of the capital city, Bucharest, and the Offroad days covered 1200 kilometres of terrain across the country to reach the finish in Sibiu. It has now become an iconic event held every year on the Coposu Boulevard in the heart of mediaeval Sibiu.
Slalom through the "killer traps"
In the early days there was little attention given to barriers for spectators protecting them from "flying" bikes, now there are safety precautions to protect fans, but the Prolog remains an up close, see and smell the motorbikes, witness the carnage, free event attracting all demographics to Sibiu.
Each year Andy Fazekas aims to create a Prolog that will have flow while featuring significant "killer traps" capable of swallowing bike tyres whole and sending competitors in unexpected directions. It is an opportunity for the elite to show off their skills of staying in harmony with their bike and the ability to slalom through the "traps". Obstacles are built in such a way that competitors who do not want to take big risks can ride the other elements within the same obstacle allowing for "fun" and lower risk.
The wooden constructions are intended to imitate different natural obstacles found in Offroad terrain. Special and unique to Sibiu is the location of the Prolog alongside the Citadel Wall which dates back to the 13th Century and is a famous historic landmark where motorbikes can be seen jumping obstacles right beside the ancient fortification walls.
Wall ride beside the ancient Citadel Wall, 2022, Philipp Scholtz (DEU)
On average the construction will require a work force of up to 40 experienced men, an impressive 100 tons of rocks, 80 tons of logs, 600 tyres ranging from 60-100 centimetres in diameter and piles of metal and concrete. The main construction takes place, non stop, during the 48 hours leading up to the signature start of Red Bull Romaniacs. Afterwards it is dismantled in record time and the boulevard is open to traffic by 06:00am the following morning which is a remarkable feat.
During the past decade the Prolog podium has been dominated by Alfred Gomez (ESP, Rieju), Taddy Blasusiak (POL, GASGAS) who is a 6 time SuperEnduro world champion, Billy Bolt (GBR, Husqvarna) who is a 3 time SuperEnduro world champion, Jonny Walker (GBR, Beta) and Graham Jarvis (GBR, Husqvarna). But beware, the skill and speed of the likes of Trystan Hart (CAN, KTM) who holds a list of titles including AMA extreme champion and EnduroCross champion and Dominik Olszowy (POL), Teodor Kabakchiev (BGR), Michael Walkner (AUT) and Matthew Green (ZAF) will guarantee a fierce show well worthy of a 20 year anniversary. The signature for the 2023 Prolog will be plenty of big air elements, a steep wall ride in the centre of the track and more than twenty obstacles in a figure of 8 configuration.
Alfredo Gomez and Manuel Lettenbichler battling amongst the logs and historical landmarks of Sibiu, 2022
Throughout the 20 years there were only two years where the In-city Prolog did not take place and that was during the pandemic when competitors completed an Offroad time trials qualifier instead.
The results from the Prolog determine the Offroad day 1 start positions. Which gives the Prolog winner the preferred third starting position on Offroad day 1 leaving the Red Bull starting arches and heading out into the wilderness.
The next event information will be released in 2 weeks:
The Impossible DEMOmaniacs and MORE Prolog treats at the LIVEmaniacs final hill climb finish - 2023 grand opening ceremony and press gathering.
Flashback to the Red Bull Romaniacs 2013 Prolog
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