Round two of the 2022 Hard Enduro World Championship is here with another new event, the Xross Hard Enduro Rally in Serbia – brush up with some need-to-know facts ahead of the race.

The Xross Hard Enduro Rally, round two of 2022 HEWC series, will be the first time a world championship motorsport race has been held in Serbia.

Stretching across four days, the event begins on Wednesday with a straight rhythm prologue followed by three 100 kilometre days scaling the Zlatibor, Tara, and Mokra Gora Mountains.

In contrast to the desert heat of Israel and the Minus 400, round one, this week riders face something much closer to Romaniacs-style event with long days in the mountains and a GPS route to follow.

Who’s got the skills in the hills?

The Xross Hard Enduro Rally has been running since 2014 and is well established with Wade Young starting as one of the favourites having won this event two-times previously. Other riders who excel in the loamy forests, like Graham Jarvis and Alfredo Gomez, have chances here this week and, like Young, have a knack of following the GPS and riding fast.

That’s not to discount round one winner Mario Roman who has been on fire this season and recently won the (now non-championship race), Extreme Xl Lagares in Portugal.

Other riders to watch of course include the world champ, Billy Bolt who’s been recouping from a wrist injury but should be fit for the challenge and looking to make amends for P2 at round one.

Haven’t you heard that Mani is back? Although he’s pretty clear winning is off the table at his first race back form injury, Mani Lettenbichler makes his return to racing this week. Read our interview with Mani: 5 minutes: Mani Lettenbichler – “I had to learn walking again”

Watch also riders like David Cyprian or Teodor Kabakchiev who put in the hours racing the lesser-known extreme events in eastern Europe and have the skills in the hills.

HEWC points standings (after round 1 of 8):

1. Mario Roman (Sherco) 20pts

2. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 17pts

3. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 15pts

4. Alfredo Gomez (GASGAS) 13pts

5. Wade Young (Sherco) 11pts

6. Teodor Kabakchiev (Husqvarna) 10pts

7. Dominik Olszowy (GASGAS) 9pts

8. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 8pts

9. David Cyprian (KTM) 7pts

10. Francesc Moret (Rieju) 6pts

Xross Hard Enduro Rally schedule:

Action begins on Wednesday, May 18, with an opening ceremony followed by the afternoon Straight Rhythm prologue. A qualifying shootout to determine starting line-up for the main race days.

Thursday is the first of three 100km days taking Pro, Expert, Hobby, and Amateur riders into the mountains for the first time. But this promises to be an easier day on a largely “enduro” course the organisers say.

The riding steps up a notch on Friday for the first hard enduro day followed by the final day on Saturday which is set to be most difficult day of all with some “epic” forest climbs awaiting.

Tuesday May 17

9:00 – Opening of paddock

10:00 – 22:00 Registration and administrative checks for riders

22:00 – Welcome party at Irish Pub

Wednesday May 18 – Day 1: Akrapovic Straight Rhythm prologue

9:30 – Opening Ceremony

10:00 – 14:00 Training and Qualifications

15:00 – 18:00 Akrapovic Straight Rhythm 1 on 1

20:00 – 21:30 Briefing

Thursday May 19 – Day 2: 100km Enduro

07:00 – 07:45 – Taking of GPS devices

07:45 – Organised free ride to the Start

08:00 – Start

21:00 – 22:00 – Briefing of riders and introduction with the next day

Friday May 20 – Day 3: 100km Hard Enduro

07:00 – 07:45 – Taking of GPS devices

07:45 – Organised free ride to the Start

08:00 – Start

21:00 – 22:00 – Briefing of riders and introduction with the next day

Saturday May 21 – Day 4: 100km Hard Enduro

07:00 – 07:45 – Taking of GPS devices

07:45 – Organised leaving of the Camp and going to the start of Day 4

08:00 – Start of the last rally day

16:00 – Closing of tracks for the final day (all CP’s will be closed)

18:00 – 19:00 - Winner Announcement and unofficial results for the final day

20:00 – Closing of the race, Party

Stay tuned to Enduro21 for all the results, rider interviews, best images, videos and more.

Photo credit: Zoran Jesic | Xross.rs