The Hard Enduro World Ranking system is up and running with two points-scoring events completed and signs of conciliation with the Hard Enduro World Championship after “positive discussions” and the suggestion Red Bull Romaniacs could still form part of the HEWC series in 2026.

With the Grinding Stone US Hard Enduro held in Arizona (USA), and the Hard Enduro Series Germany Reetz round taking place over recent weekends, the first points-scoring rounds of the new Hard Enduro World Ranking (HEWR) are officially in the books.

As a Masters category race, round three of the AMA National Hard Enduro Championship Grinding Stone US Hard Enduro got the ball rolling and saw 500 HEWR points to the winner, KTM’s Trystan Hart, 400 points to Mario Roman for second, and Ryder Leblond taking 350 points for third place.

Only a rider’s best eight results will count toward the final standings so these are already valuable points for both Roman and Hart with the Spaniard’s season ahead already looking favourable as he makes a strong start with his new privateer team.

Points as they stand after two events

At present there are 24 races in 19 countries across four continents registered to the new ranking system. You can check out the current list here (more are expected): www.enduroworldranking.com/events

HEWR and HEWC in “positive discussions”

In case you don’t know, the Hard Enduro World Ranking was set up as a way of rewarding riders across different championships and countries, as well as promoting the sport much in the same way as the tennis ATP system does.

It looked initially like a rival or splitter group from the Hard Enduro World Championship and when major news dropped at the same time as the Hard Enduro Riders Association (WERA) declared they were not going to race all the HEWC rounds this season, it created a bit of a storm and some confusion.

With HEWC explaining to Enduro21 they were always trying to work with, not against, all parties involved, perhaps the bigger news here is that “positive discussions” have also taken place between HEWR and the promoters of the Hard Enduro World Championship.

It seems both the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo and Red Bull Romaniacs were approached to remain part of the HEWC in 2026 and although it seems too short notice for Erzberg, Romaniacs director Martin Freinademetz is “in concrete talks” with HEWC series promoters regarding his race being in again.

We hope these are the signs of positive things happening and importantly people working to help the sport.

Photo Credit: Future7Media + US Hard Enduro | Owen Gorsuch and Ryan McCasland