Sibiu, Romania, 3 March, 2025 - Red Bull Romaniacs Edition 22, aptly named “GAME CHANGER”, will be breaking new grounds; adding a new dimension to the ever evolving Red Bull Romaniacs world of Hard Enduro and a multi disciplined art of racing motorcycles.
Red Bull Romaniacs will be the first to launch multidisciplinary race classes onto the Hard Enduro world stage with the innovative introduction of four new classes; starting with the game changing brand new category of Adventure Motorcycle Rallye race classes. The two new classes in the multi-cylinder Adventure Rallye category are the Ultimate Class and Lite Class. Additionally Red Bull Romaniacs is introducing electric eMoto Expert and eMoto Hobby race classes which will compete at a Hard Enduro level, the first multi day race of its kind to have eMoto specific classes.
Such a significant and innovative step forward in the world of hard enduro brings great value to the sport, introducing new factories, bringing new manufacturers and motorcycles on board. It will also open up new racing opportunities to the broader motorcycle world, offering riders the chance to experience the captivating Carpathian Mountains and exposure to some of the most unexpected technically difficult levels of any enduro tracks, especially the renowned long up and downhill sections.
Pol Tarres (AND), Silver Class 2024
With track scouting somewhat limited by winter conditions much valuable time is being spent on the research, realisation and development of the four new classes and the suitability of the tracks. The introduction of the Romaniacs Adventure Rallye category is a very organic move based on the ideal terrain for the “big bikes” and the unequivocally stunning landscape of the Carpathian region. Tracks will have the Romaniacs stamp “push to your limits” on them and there will be no easy “Sunday cruise days”. Former Track Director Klaus Suciu Sørensen is stepping on board once again and bringing with him extensive knowledge in the Adventure Motorcycle category.
The Red Bull Romaniacs multi-cylinder adventure motorcycle bar has been set high by the likes of Pol Tarres (AND), Yamaha Ténéré 700, who finished Silver Class in 2024 in a remarkable P60 and Kevin Gallas (DEU), who made light work of the Bronze Class coming in first position in 2024. Both Adventure Rallye classes will be focused more towards realistic and “do-able” tracks where competitors can hope that they have not bitten off more than they can chew and aspire to reach the finish of the four Offroad Days.
Competitors hoping to reach the finish in the Adventure Ultimate Class must be well prepared, display excellent command of their “big bikes” through tough, challenging terrain and obstacles and should already have some Hard Enduro experience and skills in varying weather conditions.
The Adventure Lite competitors will race some of the world’s most beautiful gravel 4x4 tracks, open mountain roads, forest roads and plenty of single tracks, climbing ridges and reaching the tops of the mountains. These competitors will need to have good command of their bikes and experience in a variety of challenging terrain and varying weather conditions.
Prolog Director, Andy Fazekas, will be adapting a slightly more navigable and kinder “big bike” Prolog track allowing the opportunity for the Adventure Ultimate and Lite competitors to race and have their “Hollywood” moment in front of thousands of spectators and fans.
Dawid Szczotka (POL), Bronze Class 2024
The eMoto Offroad Days preparations will be focusing around the battery technology; expectations of the battery life; possibilities of charging time at the Service Points and utilising some of the feedback from the six test eMoto competitors from 2024. Approximate distances will be in the region of 30km from the Start to the Service Point and slightly less to reach the Finish, with consideration given to the technicality and types of tracks determining the strategy that will be applied. What is on the drawing board now will be adapted once Romaniacs Track Director, Teo Isac and his team actually test some more of the up to date eMoto’s on the market. The advancements in research and development of this sector is continually improving motorcycles and batteries at a fast rate.
2025 will be the pioneering year for eMotos to compete at any five day enduro rally level and while the potential is great, demand is still lower bringing about a lot of room to improve the strategies and places Red Bull Romaniacs in the spotlight for growing and developing this sector into the extreme world of Hard Enduro.
The eMoto Expert Class will have to complete the In-City Romaniacs Prolog. They will be racing on Silver Class tracks during the four Offroad Days. It is not mandatory for the eMoto Hobby Class to compete in the Prolog qualifications, however competitors who do will gain a better Offroad Day 1 start time and will compete on the Iron Class tracks.
Teo Kabakchiev, Mani Lettenbichler, Gold Class 2024
A quick recap of the 2024 Limitless Edition: Manuel Lettenbichler (DEU), KTM claimed his fifth victory (6th podium overall), Teo Kabakchiev (BGR) Sherco, achieved his second 2nd place (3rd podium overall) and Mario Roman (ESP), Sherco, won his third 3rd place (4th podium overall). Jonny Walker (GBR), returning to Romaniacs after a four year hiatus from the event, scored the win in the Prolog. Walker has been bringing home good results for his Triumph team in the indoor SuperEnduro series leading to the question; will we see him on the start line of the Game Changer with his Triumph?
Jonny Walker, Mani Lettenbichler, Alfredo Gomez, Ashton Brightmore battling the Prolog, 2024
Jonny Walker: “Yes, GAME CHANGER is a go! Last year was good to be back at Romaniacs after the long break. I got back into the groove of the rally style Offroad Days, I was gutted to get injured on Day 3 which put a stop to the Limitless edition for me. I hadn’t done so many Hard Enduro races because it was just so difficult on my own, whereas now with Triumph it is definitely going to be good to be back. I’m looking forward to a four stroke which will mix things up and the support of Triumph.
"The Prolog is obviously my favourite, the Offroad Days are so long and anything can happen. Having won Red Bull Romaniacs a couple of times in the past I know what it takes and a good start really helps, there is a bit of a chance to make up lost time over the four days but it really is down to seconds now.
"The main focus right now is SuperEnduro for another three weeks and after that I, along with Triumph, will start focusing on extreme racing. It'll be a case of running a brand new bike (and a four stroke) so it will require lots of testing with no previous riders feedback to go from. I’m super pleased to be returning to Romaniacs with a solid team where I am not on my own and with a proven solid bike; placing second so far in the SuperEnduro championships”.
Teo Kabakchiev and Mario Roman have both had strong starts in 2025, being the only two finishers at the French Ales Trem race bringing their Sherco team in first and second respectively. Mani Lettenbichler will be looking to defend his title and creep up on Jarvis’ remarkable 7 Red Bull Romaniacs victories. The Brightmore brothers (GBR) are quietly establishing themselves amongst the top ranking competitors. Alfredo Gomez (ESP), who joined the Beta Factory Team in December 2024, shares the exact number of Prolog podiums as Jonny Walker, (3 wins and 8 podium totals) and will be determined to stay up at the front of the pack.
Despite being early days, shifting focus “across the pond” draws attention to whether Cody Webb (USA) will bring his new Yamaha team into the mix and whether the American Hard Enduro superstar Trystan Hart (CAN), KTM, will be lining up at the start of GAME CHANGER. There are high hopes for the return of the legendary Graham Jarvis, with his unbeaten 7 victories and 12 podiums in total at Red Bull Romaniacs.
Mani Lettenbichler, Gold Class 2024
Red Bull Romaniacs founder, Martin Freinademetz: “This year is definitely going to be a game changer and as much as we are excited to introduce new classes and explore new aspects of Hard Enduro and motorcycle racing, we also have a lot more work to do in order to prepare all our race tracks and classes for this year, especially to plan the logistics properly in order to guarantee our reputation of high quality.
"We are also continually improving our team and expertise behind the scenes and we are all eager to step up to this new challenge especially with the new race classes which we hope we can have as much success with as we did back in our first ever edition in 2004 when we were even called a legend back then. We hope this success will come to us in our new race classes that we are introducing now”.
Useful website links:
Register to race in 2025 - There are a few starting places available in some of the race classes.
Information about the Adventure Rallye Class
Download the 2025 Event poster
The official Romaniacs ONLINE shop offers a wide range of Red Bull Romaniacs attire.
Watch some of the Red Bull Romaniacs Videos dating as far back as 2004, the Edition 1, along with highlights and amateur class action.
July 22-26, 2025 - The GAME CHANGER Edition 22 of Red Bull Romaniacs, founded by Martin Freinademetz in 2004. It is the only five day Extreme Hard Enduro Rallye of its kind. Competitors will experience some of the most breathtaking scenery while competing in the Romanian Carpathian Mountains and attempt to conquer some of the toughest terrain to become a Red Bull Romaniacs finisher.
Watch this video: The Adventure Rallye Ultimate and Lite Classes
To get the latest news and stay informed about the Red Bull Romaniacs hard enduro rallye throughout the year complete the Romaniacs Event News Reports application form.
Red Bull Romaniacs
Media Team
Primary Event sponsor: Red Bull GmbH
2025 Event sponsor assistance from MILWAUKEE® Tools | LEATT
Wössner / X-Grip / Liqui Moly / Plews Tyres
100 Percent / Gmoto
