Red Bull ErKailub Russell (USA, KTM) sets fastest time on the first race day of the Blakläder Iron Road Prologue 2022
On the second day of the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, the largest and most colourful starting field in motorbike offroad sport, with almost 1200 participants, went into the high-speed battle against the „Iron Giant".
The US-American Kailub Russell showed off with an impressive race time on the KTM 300 EXC Erzbergrodeo Edition, leaving young star Donimik Olszowy (POL, GasGas) and Kyle Flanagan (RSA, KTM) behind. 5-time champion Ossi Reisinger (AUT/Husqvarna) finished 13th on today's first prologue race day.
In top weather, the completely redesigned gravel race track over the Erzberg presented itself to the starters of the Blakläder Iron Road Prolog 2022 in simply perfect condition. Optimal traction and best visibility conditions enabled hearty acceleration and spectacular high-speed drifts of the Extreme Enduro world elite who were completely present. At the end of the first prologue classification day, Kailub Russell provided the surprise of the day: on his first start at the Blakläder Iron Road Prologue, the 32-year-old Red Bull KTM Factory Racing factory rider set an impressive best time.
The 22-year-old young Polish talent Dominik Olszowy was second just one tenth behind on the extremely selective prologue race track with its new downhill sections. Another 3 seconds behind, 26-year-old South African spectacularly placed third in a promising position for tomorrow's second and decisive race day.
The other top favourites for the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo 2022 also left no stone unturned and all qualified in the top-50 and thus for the front row of the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo 2022 on the upcoming Sunday. Among them the favourites Manuel Lettenbichler, Graham Jarvis, Billy Bolt, Mario Roman, Wade Young, Alfredo Gomez and Austria's great Hard Enduro hope Michael Walkner.
Marcel Hirscher finishes 110th on first Blakläder Iron Road prologue race day
„I'm happy that the race finally started today for me. I’m quite satisfied with my first prologue run, which was a solid ride without any scary moments. The atmosphere here is mega, the weather is wonderful and there are a lot of cool people here - the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo is definitely worth a visit. I'm looking forward to the whole weekend," said the 9-time overall FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup winner, describing his first day of racing at Erzberg. Marcel Hirscher reached a very good 110th place in the intermediate ranking of the Blakläder Iron Road Prologue today with a running time of 8:01,91 minutes. On tomorrow's second race day the exceptional athlete could find a few more seconds on the 10 kilometres long race track.
Intermediate standings BLAKLÄDER IRON ROAD PROLOG 2022 (first race):
1st Kailub RUSSELL (USA, KTM) 7:11,77 minutes
2nd Dominik OLSZOWY (POL, GasGas) 7:11,84
3rd Kyle FLANAGAN (RSA, KTM) 7:14,20
4th Manuel LETTENBICHLER (GER, KTM) 7:18,08
5th Bill BOLT (UK, Husqvarna) 7:19.92
6th Michael WALKNER (AUT, GasGas) 7:20,01
7 Sonny GOGGIA (ITA, KTM) 7:20,02
8th Philipp SCHOLZ (GER, KTM) 7:20,24
9 Matthew GREEN (RSA, KTM) 7:20,28
10th Wade YOUNG (RSA, Sherco) 7:21,19
The complete intermediate result Blakläder Iron Road Prolog on www.redbullerzbergrodeo.com
On tomorrow's second day of the Blakläder Iron Road Prologue, all motorbike sport fans can look forward to another action-packed encounter of the world's best Xtreme Enduro riders - at the end of the day, the fastest 500 Prologue riders will be determined. who will take on the mighty „Iron Giant" at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo on Sunday!
GASGAS Trial Xtreme Challenge offers spectacular action in the Acerbis Action Arena
Almost 300 participants took on a very special challenge in front of an enthusiastic audience today. At the GASGAS Trial Xtreme Challenge the starters rode uniformly on GASGAS Trial motorbikes over a specially constructed trial parcours, which offered spectacular entertainment for thousands of Red Bull Erzbergrodeo visitors with a 5-metre-high steep wall curve. After today's practice runs, tomorrows timed qualifying will determine the 48 fastest riders who will compete in the GASGAS Trial Xtreme Challenge Superfinal in the evening. A very special prize awaits the winner: he/she will receive a fixed starting place on the front row of the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo on Sunday!
AKRAPOVIC ONE-On-ONE Rider Presentation
The spectacular Red Bull Erzbergrodeo rider presentation was once again a highlight for the thousands of fans in the grandstands at the Acerbis Action Arena in 2022! For two hours, event host Andi Brewi, supported by Red Bull Erzbergrodeo press officer Martin Kettner, presented the top riders and newcomers of the international motorbike offroad scene. At the Akrapovic One-On-One Rider Presentation, the riders demonstrated their breathtaking riding technique on the gritty trial course - a sensational spectacle that swept the spectators off their seats!
„Sturm auf Eisenerz" once again becomes a highlight with thousands of participants and their motorbikes. On Friday evening, Red Bull Erzbergrodeo mastermind Karl Katoch gathered all participants for the already traditional rally through the town of Eisenerz. The event, intended as a welcome from the thousands of off-road athletes from all continents to the enthusiastic population, was once again an impressive experience: almost 2,000 motorbikes were led through the pictoresque city of Eisenerz and provided a tremendous spectacle for the inhabitants.
Red Bull Erzbergrodeo LIVE at ServusTV and Red Bull TV
Thousands of motorsports fans will experience the fight of the world’s best motorcycle offroad athletes against the mighty Erzberg on site. For all enthusiasts who can’t make it to erzberg, the race will be aired live on ServusTV and Red Bull TV. The live broadcast at ServusTV starts on June 19th 3:00 p.m. and will be hosted by Philipp Krummholz and motorsports expert Heinz Kinigadner. The international live-stream at Red Bull TV will start at 2:00 p.m., hosted by Pat Parnell and Rob Warner as well as by experts Darryl Curtis, Paul Bolton and Jonny Walker. The international live-stream will be as well aired on the videowalls in the Acerbis Action Arena at Erzberg.
Martin Kettner / Press Red Bull Erzbergrodeo
