Stark shakes up Hard Enduro scene with breakthrough win at Red Bull Erzbergrodeo

Stark Future’s debut at the 2026 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo could not have gone much better after winning the Rocket Ride race with the Stark Varg EX.

Robert Jones

13 Jun 2026

Eddie Karlsson at the 2026 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo.

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Stark Future and its Varg EX’ first appearance at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo ended with a podium clean sweep, including victory for Sebastien Tortelli in the Remus Rocket Ride.

Stark announced its participation at the event in December, after organisers made it possible for electric bikes to compete in the same category as combustion-powered motorcycles.

Among the 500 competitors that took part in the four-day event, 23 of those rode Stark VARG machinery. The company’s efforts were led by Eddie Karlsson and British hard enduro racer Toby Martyn, alongside Tortelli.

Eddie Karlsson and Toby Martyn racing at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo.

Tortelli’s victory in the Rocket Ride event, which consists of a three-part slope that has to be raced in the fastest time, was part of a wider display of dominance as positions 1-4 were all claimed by Stark riders.

Tortelli’s performance in the race came after an equally impressive showing in qualifying, as he secured top spot in each heat.

Stark also had three riders place inside the top ten during the event’s prologue, while Karlsson managed to finish 9th overall in the main event despite losing his rear brake prior to the race getting started. On the other hand, Martyn could only manage 12th overall following a heavy crash which led to mid-race repairs.

Speaking about the company’s performance at the event, Stark Future Racing Director and Remus Rocket Ride winner, Tortelli, said:

"Winning the Rocket Ride was special, but what made me most proud was seeing the entire team perform throughout the week. We came here to compete, not to participate. To leave Erzberg with a victory, a complete Rocket Ride podium, multiple top-ten Prologue performances and two riders inside the top twelve of the main race shows how far this programme has come."