Stark Future confirms rider lineup for Red Bull Erzbergrodeo 2026

Stark Future has confirmed its rider lineup for the 2026 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, marking the first time electric motorcycles have been permitted to enter the event under the same sporting and technical regulations as combustion competitors.

Eddie Karlsson, Toby Martyn and Cooper Abbott will ride the Stark VARG EX, with Sébastien Tortelli also joining the programme on the standard Stark VARG for the Thursday Rocket Ride and Friday Prologue.

“Erzberg is the ultimate test in hard enduro, and to line up here on the Stark VARG EX is something I have been working towards for a long time. I know what this bike can do in extreme terrain. Now I want to show the world.”

Karlsson, a ten-time Swedish trials champion and 2013 European Champion who has since moved into extreme enduro, arrives with established results on the machine, including a podium at the 2024 Red Bull Los Andes Hard Enduro and overall Silver Class victory at Red Bull Romaniacs 2025.

“Erzberg is one of those races that gets under your skin. The terrain, the atmosphere, the challenge. There is nothing else like it. Coming here on the Stark VARG EX, I genuinely believe we can make our mark and show what we are capable of.”

Martyn, who finished fifth in the 2025/26 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, showed competitive pace at the opening round of this year’s FIM Hard Enduro World Championship before mechanical issues intervened, ultimately recovering to finish inside the top ten.

“Racing the Stark VARG EX at the most prestigious off-road race in the world is a dream come true. I’ve raced Erzberg once and always had a dream of making it back for redemption. To be a part of Stark’s first year racing Erzberg is an honor and I hope to conquer the Iron Giant on the VARG EX in their first year!”

Abbott, the youngest of the three, has built a growing reputation across international extreme enduro competition.

“Erzberg is mythical, I have followed it for years, but to actually be here, is incredible. Thursday and Friday are about having fun and enjoying the incredible atmosphere of the Rocket Ride and Prologue — but throughout the weekend, I will be working closely with our athletes, to help them perform at their best. The Iron giant really is a test of mental, machine and grit…”

Tortelli brings a different kind of presence to the programme. The Frenchman won the 125cc FIM Motocross World Championship in 1996 and the 250cc title in 1998 and will work alongside the race riders throughout the weekend in a technical and support capacity.

Stark VARG entries will progress through the Open Class Prologue Qualification and can advance to Sunday’s main race on merit. To accommodate electric participation, the event has installed a charging station in the Erzbergrodeo Arena, a second charging point on the mountain, and a battery-swapping location at the same course position used for traditional refuelling, where service crews are permitted to assist.

The 2026 edition of Red Bull Erzbergrodeo takes place in Styria, Austria on June 4th – 7th, 2026.