Red Bull Romaniacs team to stage the 2026 Minas Riders Hard Enduro in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, opening a new chapter for the extreme enduro in Latin America where “the playgrounds perfectly suited for the Hard Enduro madness”.

Responding to growing demand for high-level, technically challenging competition in a country which claims to have one of the world’s largest Enduro communities, the Red Bull Romaniacs team has officially began preparations for a return of the Hard Enduro race in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Minas Riders 2026.

The four-day event in late September promises a challenge – like you’d expect from an event organised by Martin Freinademetz – but with a distinct Brazilian twist for the final day which will conclude in a party, “like Romanaics Prologue but in a football stadium”.

From elite professionals to “weekend warrior” amateurs, Brazil boasts a vast rider base, an extensive trail network, dedicated Enduro hotels, and a diverse range of terrain. What remains missing - both in Brazil and across Latin America - is an established Hard Enduro scene comparable to Europe’s.

Although many South American riders have competed in the iconic Red Bull Romaniacs, opportunities to race at a similar level on home soil are still limited and that’s a driving force behind Minas ’26.

Motor club pushed Freinademetz to resurrect the race

One of the key drivers behind the project is Gianino Coscarelli of the Fast Brothers Motor Club, who has been pushing Martin Freinademetz, founder of the Red Bull Romaniacs, to bring a dose of European Hard Enduro madness to Brazil.

Event programme

The 2026 Minas Riders Hard Enduro will be a four-day race beginning on September 29, in Belo Horizonte. That puts it between Roof of Africa and Sea to Sky for any international Hard Enduro fans who like to travel for their races. 

The event will open with a time trial on Tuesday, followed by Offroad Days 1, 2, and 3 starting Wednesday. The competition will culminate in a “Grande Finale” in one of Belo Horizonte’s major stadiums, where up to 40,000 spectators are expected to witness the finish of Offroad Day 4 on Saturday.

Party finish in a football stadium

The Romaniacs team is known for pushing the limits of what is possible in Hard Enduro - and for shaping a new generation of elite riders over the past two decades. Just as legendary, however, are the parties that follow the finish.

 With the “Grande Finale” in Belo Horizonte, the Brazilian team around Martin Freinademetz aims to take that spirit to a new level - blending European Hard Enduro with Brazil’s signature lifestyle and party energy. That means the finale will feature live music and show acts, an intense Endurocross-style finish course, and up to 40,000 fans filling one of the city’s largest stadiums.

“Race during the day and party at night”

Martin Freinademetz, founder of the Red Bull Romaniacs: “We know a thing or two about racing - especially Hard Enduro. The local rider communities that host these events on their trails play a crucial role for the success and the atmosphere of the race. The Belo Horizonte Enduro scene is among the most passionate in the world, and their playgrounds are perfectly suited for the Hard Enduro madness. And the tropical setting, in combination with their passion and their party skills add another dimension. We’re stoked to be part of it. It won’t be easy for the riders, though: race during the day and party at night.”

Classes for all

The race itself is designed to push riders to their absolute limits. Competitors across four classes - Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Iron - will face their first test in Tuesday’s time trial, which sets the starting order for Offroad Day 1. From that point on, it’s relentless: riders will battle through an average of 100 kilometers per day, taking on punishing sections and so-called “impossible” obstacles tailored to each class.

Riders will face a mix of terrain and microclimates - one of the defining challenges of the Belo Horizonte region. The course throws everything at them: jungle, desert-like stretches, rock, sand, gravel, and deep mud, each demanding complete focus and adaptability. It’s a constant fight for control, traction, and survival - set against the backdrop of Brazil’s raw and untamed landscapes.

More information: www.minasriders.com

Photo Credit: Red Bull Content Pool