Stark Future Racing officially confirm Taddy Blazusiak and Eddie Karlsson line-up against combustion-engined competitors in the 2025 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship Prestige class but with question marks over FIM restrictions.

Billed as “a clash of technology”, Stark Future Racing will line-up alongside Husqvarna, Triumph and KTM in the 2025 FIM SuperEnduro season. Their team of six-times SuperEnduro winner Taddy Blazusiak and Eddie Karlsson will officially line-up alongside Billy Bolt, Jonny Walker and Mani Lettenbichler.

New rules limit power and add weight

Taddy and Eddie will race the Stark VARGs in Prestige class, the “open” category under FIM regulations which this season has been amended to allow electric-powered motorcycles.

But it’s not straight forward and those “open” rules are not so open as you think. Stark will have to run with a limitation on power and additional weight.

This is the crazy bit as Enduro21 understands a 48hp limit and a minimum weight of 123kg is placed on any electric motorcycle in Prestige class. That’s a concession of approximately 20kg.

Effectively that means the power of a 250 and the weight of, what, a 500 four-stoke? With no such restriction for combustion engines that is a baffling ruling.

Stark seem undeterred and are relishing sticking to their guns and finally getting the chance to show the potential of the VARG on a competitive stage alongside ICE bikes at world championship level. It’s exactly the opening the Stark Future have been working towards since the release of the bike two years ago. 

Blazusiak’s belief in the VARG and the wider project is testimony to his dedication over this past year since he signed, originally to race last SuperEnduro season before the FIM U-turn.

The 41-year-old is obviously one of the biggest names in enduro and Stark have been putting him to good use developing the bikes: “I’m super-happy that we have the green light to go racing,” says Taddy, “We have made the most out of the last year in terms of bike development and we are in a good spot. Of course, we don’t quite know where we are in comparison to the others yet…but we’ve been competitive in a few pre-season races.

“Unfortunately, they are slowing us down with the power output and also adding a crazy amount of weight and that’s not really in the spirit of an open class but we will take the challenge and give it our best shot, for sure.”

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It’s testimony to both riders that they have sucked up a season of non-competition, kept training and working towards an uncertain goal. Karlsson, as anyone who follows his social media will know, keeps himself busy, and promises much on a bike which he surely looks to have gelled with: “I’m really happy to be racing with Stark Future Racing this year and also happy for the team after all the work that has been done so far.” The Swedish rider says. “I think we’ll have a pretty good chance to get some results and will give the gasoline bikes the best race we can. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Anton Wass, CEO and Founder of Stark Future: “For the first time in history, electric bikes are lining up at the same gate and competing against combustion vehicles at a world championship level. We are very excited to start this journey in SuperEnduro racing.

“We're grateful to SportUp and the FIM for allowing this progression to happen. Racing with extra weight and limited power will restrict our capabilities, but we will push ourselves to perform at the highest level possible within the limitations we've been given.”

Sebastien Tortelli, Stark Future Racing Director: “It’s great for us to officially announce our place in the gate for the 2025 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship. I want to thank the promoters for being open-minded about our technology and the chance to make a strong show.

“We have been waiting to put the Stark VARG on the track in a situation like this for some time, and even though we have a few dubious restrictions we want to prove our bike has what it takes to go against the internal combustion engine. The fact that Taddy and Eddie want to get on track and make a push in this series says a lot about our work with the Stark VARG so far and now this is the start of the next level of development for us. We can’t wait to get to Poland.”

2025 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship calendar:

December 14: Gliwice, Poland

January 4: Riesa, Germany

January 18: Cluj-Napoca, Romania

February 1: Lodz, Poland

February 8: Budapest, Hungary

March 1: Newcastle, UK

March 8: Lievin, France