All content © Bob MuIIins

Red Bull Romaniacs 2019 - Edition "Sweet 16"

The 2019 tracks will be ace - you might have seen some photos we’ve posted in our social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram. Before each Red Bull Romaniacs edition kicks off, Martin, our track director Teo and our track managers are spending a good (combined) 1,000 days on their bikes scouting, marking and cleaning tracks. And after 16 years even these guys are still amazed by the new tracks and the landscape they get to see and ride. Every now and then during their work they stop and you get to hear them whisper: „How sweet is this … ? And this happened quite often during the latest scouting rides for 2019. So „Sweet 16“ will be the official tagline of Red Bull Romaniacs 2019!

2019 Starting Numbers pretty much sold out!

The race for the starting places of Red Bull Romaniacs in 2019 was certainly held in battle mode - and yes: The Bronze Class was sold out really fast and there are just few places left in the Iron and Silver Class! This is good news for those who have registered in the Bronze Class and paid already - but not necessarily bad news for those who haven’t: There still is a chance to participate in our Sweet 16 Edition via the waiting list! And since it’s early in the season and some riders have to pull out due to injuries for example chances are you might still be lucky! So don’t be shy, give it a try!

The race for the starting places has also been a battle between nations: Once again we’re looking at registrations from almost 50 countries and here’s for a first podium: The UK wins the Red Bull Romaniacs registration race followed by Germany. And we’re excited to announce that - believe it or not - Australia came in 3rd! Respect also to Israel and New Zealand who made it into the top 10!

The "Sweet 16" Tracks

Chef Martin Freinademetz and his culinary team led by “Sous Chef” Teo Isac have spent a lot of time working on and experimenting with the tracks in the Romaniacs kitchen to serve a meal in 2019 that is new, exciting and has that special taste we’re all addicted to.

The appetizer will be served on July 30, 2019 by Andy Fazekas himself who - as always - uses his creative spirit to attract the dedicated attention of both, riders and spectators during the Prologue within the very centre of Sibiu. Andy: „The starter for Sweet 16 will be a surprise – but one that will be rather easy to digest and delicious. We’ll make sure that it will actually meet the taste of a very broad range of riders.“

Race Days 1-4 are the main courses - a well balanced mix of tracks, some rather easy to digest, some with an extra bit of spice here and there and some ingredients that will put the riders to the test.

July 31, 2019, Race Day 1 - War Zone: We leave it up to your imagination to figure out what the name actually implies when it comes to riding the track. The track hits the frontline of the 1st World War every now and then and take you on trails which have been used by soldiers to transport their equipment to the military positions and trenches.

August, 1, 2019, Race Day 2 - Decebal: This course will be one with some historical flavours that we want to share with you: Decebal was the last King of Dacia - a historic region in Romania and he is famous for fighting the Romans. And if you ever wondered why the Red Bull Romaniacs logo looks the way it does: Now you know that it has the Dacian wolf in it. In 106 AD (!) Decebal was hunted down and finally cornered by Roman detachments seeking his head. Rather than being captured only to be exhibited and humiliated in Rome, Decebalus prefered to commit suicide. Along the track of Race Day 2 between Tilisca and Capalna we will get to see some remains of ancient buildings originating from those days almost 2,000 years ago.

August, 2, 2019, Race Day 3 - Valachia: Valachia is a historical and geographical region of Romania. It is situated north of the Lower Danube and south of the Southern Carpathians. Martin, Teo and Mike Skinner found some really tasty ingredients for this course of the meal out there that will be new to even the seasoned Romaniacs gourmets!

August, 3, 2019, Race Day 4 - Sibiu: Race Day 4 „Sibiu“ will – yes, you’re right - end at the hill climb in Gusterita but the track right before the finish line will be different and have some added spice if you compare it with the 2018 edition. The riders will have to climb a good 10,000m spread over the entire day in the vicinity of Sibiu and will face known signature sections such as Black Mamba, One Day Hill and Ottoman just to mention a few.

On the same day the Sweet 16 desert will be served at the prize giving party!

The organizers are happy to announce that Sweet 16 will be even more spectator friendly: Many of the really sections that are really worth visiting to follow the race and the pure hard enduro action have been designed and located so that they are easily accessible! Some of wild stuff like „Damned Dam“ and „Men Ridge“ are new and fresh, some other sections will again be part of the track so also the spectators will get a good mix of new and well-proven spots to go to and enjoy

Yes - all 4 nights in Sibiu

We’ve been asked frequently about how many nights will be spend outside of Sibiu in the 2019 edition. After the track scounting for Sweet 16 is finished we’re ready to announce that all four Race Days are designed so that the riders and their supporters and families will spend each night in Sibiu: No need to plan logistics for staying overnight in any other places!

Romaniacs Race #5 in the 2019 WESS Season

After a successful inaugural season of the World Enduro Super Series (WESS) in 2018 - with Red Bull Romaniacs having been one of the eight 2018 WESS races – Billy Bolt (UK, Husqvarna) became the first ever “Ultimate Enduro World Champion. Billy had won the Red Bull Romaniacs Prologue in 2018. The entire Red Bull Romaniacs team congratulates Billy on this huge milestone in his young career!

The 2019 WESS season will again stretch over 8 rounds starting with Extreme XL Lagares Portugal and finished in Germany at the GetzenRodeo. WESS race #5 will be Red Bull Romaniacs.

Red Bull Romaniacs to donate to charity project

With the money we all - thanks again for your support - have raised during the 2018 Red Bull Romanics - Edition we have bought special school books and logopedic adaptive toys for children suffering from Down Syndrome. The Valea Jiului Down Sindrome Association has over 30 children with this condition in their care and no money options since it`s one of the poorest regions in Romania. In addition to that we donated money to buy a playground for a kindergarten school in Valea Jiului area, which has literally nothing in the yard for the children to play on.

We’re excited to announce that in 2019 €10 per registered rider will go to a charity project which will add up to about €5,000 in total. In addition to that we will once again organize a second hand bike gear flea market at the Prologue that will also support the charity.

About Red Bull Romaniacs

The Red Bull Romaniacs Hard Enduro Rallye was created in 2004 by founder Martin Freinademetz. Over the past years it has become the world's toughest Hard Enduro Rallye and attracts competitors from about 50 countries each and every year.

The race is spread over five days - five days of pure hard enduro racing action: The event is kicked off with the legendary prologue - a time trial in downtown Subiu with thousands of enthusiastic fans and followed by four “Offroad Race Days”. The competitors are taken on some of the world's most beautiful Hard Enduro tracks in the region around Sibiu, Romania (Southern Carpathian Mountains) which they have to master using GPS devices. The breathtaking wilderness, incredible up- and downhill sections in a stunning landscape and the professional as well as experienced organization result in the toughest and at the same time most memorable experience for all participants.