World Hard Enduro Podcast

Tarryn, Brandon

Welcome to the World Hard Enduro podcast. We bring you deep dives into all things Hard Enduro, featuring interviews with industry legends, epic storytelling, and conversations that matter to the riding community. Follow along as we share industry news , race reports and noteworthy information in the space. The ultimate goal is to grow the sport of Hard Enduro. 

  1. 2026 Extreme XL Lagares Race - Behind the scenes with Mike Skinner | S2E11

    1D AGO

    2026 Extreme XL Lagares Race - Behind the scenes with Mike Skinner | S2E11

    Firstly, we’d like to make a special note about Felix Bähker who had a very unfortunate accident during race day 1 and sustain some serious spinal injuries. Hard enduro is a tough sport and at times the circumstances riders are in can be quite dangerous. A Go Fund Me page has been set up to support Felix. Every small amount counts to help this young rider on his road to recovery - https://www.gofundme.com/f/felix-muss-zuruck-auf-die-beine?attribution_id=sl:bb77b834-df88-46e5-bd53-efa074719dde&lang=de_DE&ts=1777798296&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp20_t1&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=instagram_story.  We had another great chat with Mike Skinner about round 2 of the HEWC that took place at the XL Lagares hard enduro race in Portugal. This round had some brilliant live coverage on the main race day and fans can find plenty of race content online however there is nothing quite like have a good post race chat to get a real idea of what it was like on the grown from a rider, media and spectator perspective.  In this episode we cover a variety of topics from how the terrain and racing differed this round compared to the previous race, the tight competition between the top pro and junior riders as well as a deeper understanding of what happened on track from the riders perspective.  We hope you enjoy this episode! Chapters: 00:00 Extreme XL Lagares  01:49 Felix Bähker 05:04 Event format breakdown  07:26 Points allocation   08:29 Riders race strategy 10:12 Wade Young  12:38 Media & coverage improvement  13:06 Day 1 results 16:09 Day 2: 120KM 19:53 Teo’s mid-race advice approach 21:12 What makes Manny so dominant? 23:00 Day 2 results 24:33 Points system debate 27:44 A game changer for spectators  30:29 Day 3 35:51 Manny vs. multi-lap racing 37:25 Junior class recap If you'd like to support Felix Bähker on his road to recovery, the GoFundMe link is in the description — every little bit counts. And if this episode resonated with you, drop a comment below and let us know your thoughts on the racing at Lagares ↓↓↓ Support the show Whether you're driving to work, heading back from a weekend ride or working on the bike in the garage make sure to tune in and if you're feeling generous you're welcome to buy us a coffee to support our efforts with the following link - https://buymeacoffee.com/worldhardenduro You can also connect with us on socials such as Insta and Youtube Instagram Youtube

    43 min

  2. APR 27

    Matt Stevens: From SA National Champ to USHE and why he's betting on the US over Europe | S2E10

    In this episode we're chatting to a young rider who is an up and coming South African talent who has already made a name for himself, Matt Stevens.  We get straight into the topic of why Matt has chosen not to focus on riding in Europe and the HEWC and why his sights are on USHE. We touch on the financial investment of both options and which would give a young rider the best chance for success. We clarify what Matt's plans are for his time in the US and which races he plans to participate in and other opportunities that the US presents.  In South Africa trials bike riding is not common for riders to adopt at a young age, but it is certainly a benefit to improving technique. Matt touches on a great topic of learning from others, especially those who's skills may be more advanced. An example of this was the time Matt spent riding with the top athletes in the world at the Roof of Africa 2025.  Of course as a hard enduro podcast we had to talk about bikes. Matt rides both a 2T and a 4T and shares his experiences and preferences. Justin from Shock Logic suspension has been on the podcast before and is a key part of Matt's team ensuring his bike is perfectly tuned without making it complicated.  Training for hard enduro doesn't just happen on the bike and in the mountains but needs to be supported with off the bike training to support fitness and strength. Matt has been focusing on power recently in the gym and has noticed improvements during racing.  We wish Matt all the best on his journey to the US. If you are based close to the races he plans to attend and would like to support his journey, please reach out to Matt directly via his social media - @mattstevens.43 We hope you enjoy this episode! Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:31 Meet Matt Stevens 02:36 SA talent at Alestrem 03:08 America over Europe 07:57 Passion vs. profession 09:35 The US plan: Hollow Point & Tennessee Knockout  10:27 What the US hard enduro series offers vs. the HEWC 11:51 GNCC & cross-country racing 13:08 Trials Bikes 14:34 Learning from better riders 16:33 Sponsors or a team for the US 18:42 Bike talk - The KTM 300 2-stroke  19:51 2-stroke vs. 4-stroke in hard enduro 21:39 250F for technical hard enduro terrain 24:31 Shock Logic Suspension - Keep it simple 27:04 Off-bike training 32:15 Roof of Africa 37:41 Well wishes and support for the US Would you make the same call as Matt... USHE over HEWC? Drop your thoughts in the comments, we'd love to hear where you think the better opportunity lies for a young rider trying to build a career in hard enduro ↓↓↓ Support the show Whether you're driving to work, heading back from a weekend ride or working on the bike in the garage make sure to tune in and if you're feeling generous you're welcome to buy us a coffee to support our efforts with the following link - https://buymeacoffee.com/worldhardenduro You can also connect with us on socials such as Insta and Youtube Instagram Youtube

    39 min
  3. 2026 Alestrem Race - Behind the scenes with Mike Skinner | S2E9

    APR 21

    2026 Alestrem Race - Behind the scenes with Mike Skinner | S2E9

    Round one of the 2026 Hard Enduro World Championship recently took place at Alestrem in France. To get a better idea of how this race went and a more in-depth understanding of what happened behind the scenes, we sat down with Mike Skinner who was on the ground and deep in the action.  We touch on a variety of topics such as Stark in hard enduro, media coverage of the race, the unpredictable weather and how that created confusion for the final lap. We also discuss how competitive the top 20 are and how exciting that is for the future of the sport and the rest of the season.  We hope you enjoy this episode!  Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:02 HEWC Round 1 at 24MX Alestrem 01:35 Race overview: Friday and Saturday 03:18 Season opener atmosphere 05:00 The rainstorm 07:04 Stark Varg & the Jarv-E 07:53 Toby Martyn 10:06 Graham Jarvis 13:52 Standout riders 15:28 Billy & Mani's big gap 16:35 Race result confusion 19:10 Media  23:32 Live Broadcast 29:33 Final results recap 32:13 Looking ahead to HEWC Round 2: Extreme XL Lagares Enjoyed this one? Subscribe so you don't miss our Round 2 breakdown from Extreme XL Lagares. If you watched the live overage, drop your thoughts on how you think it could be improved in the comments ↓↓↓ Support the show Whether you're driving to work, heading back from a weekend ride or working on the bike in the garage make sure to tune in and if you're feeling generous you're welcome to buy us a coffee to support our efforts with the following link - https://buymeacoffee.com/worldhardenduro You can also connect with us on socials such as Insta and Youtube Instagram Youtube

    34 min
  4. Matt Green's American Dream | Racing the US Hard Enduro Series with Champion Brick Racing | S2E8

    APR 13

    Matt Green's American Dream | Racing the US Hard Enduro Series with Champion Brick Racing | S2E8

    In this episode we chat to an iconic duo of Matt's. Matt Green is a returning guest to the podcast and Matt Adams has been his main support while racing in the United States. We got to sit down and chat to both of them and reflect on their time together. This was truly an intercontinental interview across three time zones. In 2026 Matt Green did something no other rider in the world championship has done... he took on part of the US Hard Enduro Series. Heading to the US with minimal plans in place, he took a chance and it certainly paid off! He had some great results and loads of stories to share. We dive into his experience, the differences between the US and Europe and even touch on how to take on some of the challenging races the US has to offer.  Matt Adams was the go-to man for this time in the US and the team owner of the Champion Brick racing team. A man with a passion for dirt bikes and a story that would inspire anyone to get out there and enjoy life to the fullest. He shares what it was like to host a world championship rider, what it's like running his team and the big plans he has in place for 2026.  This was a great episode and we hope you enjoy it!  Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:25 Meet Matt Adams  06:00 How Matt Green & Matt Adams Connected 08:07 Inside Champion Brick Racing 10:25 What Inspired Matt Adams to Build the Team  16:10 Matt Adams first impressions of Matt Green 18:37 Matt Green's Race Results Across the First 3 US Rounds 19:00 Was the US Good Enough to Stay?  21:00 US Hard Enduro vs. European Hard Enduro 27:57 How Matt Green's US Trip Could Open Doors for Others 36:18 Funny Stories from Life on the Road Together 37:00 Hilton, South Africa: Matt Green's Secret Weapon for Hawaii 38:02 Bike & Tyre Setup for Hawaii's Terrain 43:00 Grinding Stone 50:35 US Hard Enduro's Growth 52:00 Matt Adams' 2026 Season Plans for Champion Brick Racing 54:05 Matt Green's HEWC Season Preview: Ready for Round 1  57:20 Closing Thoughts Matt has showed what's possible heading over to the US. Do you think we'll see more riders take a similar path in the future? Let us know in the comments ↓↓↓ Support the show Whether you're driving to work, heading back from a weekend ride or working on the bike in the garage make sure to tune in and if you're feeling generous you're welcome to buy us a coffee to support our efforts with the following link - https://buymeacoffee.com/worldhardenduro You can also connect with us on socials such as Insta and Youtube Instagram Youtube

    58 min
  5. Teo Kabakchiev | Training Smarter, Racing Harder | Season 3 with Sherco | S2E7

    APR 5

    Teo Kabakchiev | Training Smarter, Racing Harder | Season 3 with Sherco | S2E7

    The start of the 2026 championship is a week away and we had the opportunity to chat with Sherco rider, Teodor Kabakchiev. The last time he was on the podcast was just before the Roof of Africa 2024 and honestly, a lot has happened since then. We dive into a variety of topics start with what training looks like for Teo in preparation for the new season. He shares how he is an all round rider and enjoys a variety of disciplines but is very structured with his training. It was particularly interesting discussing how he has incorporated trials into his program and how even a pro rider like Teo finds it challenging compared to a traditional off-road bike. This will be Teo's third year with Sherco factory racing. Following his team mate Mario Roman leaving to go independent, we of course had the question on our minds... who will be joining him in the hard enduro championship. We briefly touch on who this is, and why he seems to be a good fit for the team.    Teo shared some great stories on this episode, with one in particular standing out. He shares his thoughts about Romaniacs and how after a grueling 6 hour day in the saddle, he felt more exhausted compared to his competitors. This lead him on a journey to really take his technical training more seriously and it's clear that has paid off. Suspension is a hot topic in hard enduro and can be very challenging to get right. The communication between the rider and technician needs to be spot on in order for the settings to really hit the mark. This year Teo is once again working with a specialist who understands what he likes and has the mindset of, if something works, why change it? Lastly, Teo shares his suggestions for young riders looking to make a career in dirt bikes. We hope you enjoy this episode! Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:05 Roof Of Africa 03:14 off-season training 04:55 Bike setup 06:51 Suspension  08:17 Riding with family  10:21 Considerations for making hard enduro a career  11:35 Recovering from Injury 14:43 2026 season 16:34 Alestrem  20:19 New Sherco team mate  22:20 Riding a variety of disciplines 23:49 Trials bike riding 29:41 Advice for juniors Teo dropped some real gems in this one... from trials training to suspension setups to advice for the next generation. What was your biggest takeaway? Drop it in the comments ↓↓↓ Support the show Whether you're driving to work, heading back from a weekend ride or working on the bike in the garage make sure to tune in and if you're feeling generous you're welcome to buy us a coffee to support our efforts with the following link - https://buymeacoffee.com/worldhardenduro You can also connect with us on socials such as Insta and Youtube Instagram Youtube

    34 min
  6. Is Hard Enduro on the Right Track? | Inside the Sport with Mike Skinner | S2E6

    MAR 30

    Is Hard Enduro on the Right Track? | Inside the Sport with Mike Skinner | S2E6

    In this episode we had the opportunity to chat to Mike Skinner who is a legend in the hard enduro paddock and has been involved in the sport for 12 years. He's seen the sport change and evolve over the years and has truly been on the inside of what can sometimes be seen as a sport with many decisions made behind closed doors.  We got to speak to Mike about the 2026 season and if he believes that the sport is on the right track. He shares his hopes for the this new chapter and his belief that everyone needs to work together to grow the sport.  In 2025 Mike took on more of a media role filling a really important hole is hard enduro coverage. He is often able to get to places many aren't and captures some of the best raw footage and rider interviews out there.  Beyond media, Mike is also a world class track setter and is able to share some common mistakes and suggestions for anyone whether it be track setters or race organizers.  We end our discussion with some bench racing, talking about when the juniors will eventually take the top spot, why there isn't a des nations for hard enduro and lastly, his suggestions to young riders looking to make a career out of dirt bikes.  We hope you enjoy this episode.   Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:52 HEWC 08:21 Media Coverage 16:15 Hard enduro track setting 29:51 Hard enduro ranking system 33:53 Bench racing 48:19 Suggestions for young riders Which country do you think would win if there was a Hard Enduro Des Nations?? Drop it in the comments... and also let us know which 3 riders you would pick from that country↓↓↓ Support the show Whether you're driving to work, heading back from a weekend ride or working on the bike in the garage make sure to tune in and if you're feeling generous you're welcome to buy us a coffee to support our efforts with the following link - https://buymeacoffee.com/worldhardenduro You can also connect with us on socials such as Insta and Youtube Instagram Youtube

    53 min
  7. Stark Varg enters the Hard Enduro World Championship | S2E5

    MAR 23

    Stark Varg enters the Hard Enduro World Championship | S2E5

    We run on passion, bad jokes, and your support. Subscribe or buy us a coffee and keep this thing alive → https://buymeacoffee.com/worldhardenduro   Something has been on our mind recently, will we see Stark Varg enter the Hard Enduro World Championship and line up at the start of Alestrem round 1? The manufacturer has just completed a groundbreaking season in the FIM Super Enduro World Championship by taking the manufacturers championship after only their second year. We've also got wind that they will be entering the EnduroGP in 2026 which is a pretty big move.  In an interview with Enduro21, Stark Racing Director, Sebastien Tortelli hinted at participating in 4 out of the 5 world championships and that hard enduro might be on that list. This year is the first year that Stark would actually be allowed to enter the Hard Enduro Championship due to changes in regulations.  To come to a conclusion we had to touch on a couple topics that would determine if this is a realistic journey in 2026. There are things like regulations, bike limitations as well as riders that will all determine their decision. Stark is a brand that only enters something if they believe they have a competitive chance and will be able to perform well so also need to chat about what success would look like for them.  It's possible we'll see more information from the brand in the coming weeks but one thing is for sure, we'd love to see them in the Hard Enduro World Championship even if its just a testing year. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:01 Will we see Stark in the Championship? 01:42 Super Enduro 04:20 EnduroGP 07:07 Hard Enduro Regulations 10:16 Bike Limitations 13:20 Red Bull Romaniacs Case Study 14:43 Event Organizer Requirements 16:40 Stark Riders 20:57 What does success look like? 23:27 Putting it into perspective Think Stark should make the move? Drop it in the comments... we want to know where you stand↓↓↓ Support the show Whether you're driving to work, heading back from a weekend ride or working on the bike in the garage make sure to tune in and if you're feeling generous you're welcome to buy us a coffee to support our efforts with the following link - https://buymeacoffee.com/worldhardenduro You can also connect with us on socials such as Insta and Youtube Instagram Youtube

    25 min
  8. Mario Roman | From factory rider to privateer and looking at racing as a business | S2E4

    MAR 15

    Mario Roman | From factory rider to privateer and looking at racing as a business | S2E4

    These episodes don't run on premix alone, your support keeps us moving. Grab us a coffee → https://buymeacoffee.com/worldhardenduro We welcome Mario Roman back onto the podcast to chat about the next chapter of his career. As many fans will know, Mario has parted ways with Sherco Factory Racing and created his own independent team MR74. This is a very interesting episode as we get to truly understand the differences between being on a factory team and the opportunities of being able to choose your own partners and sponsors.  Taking about partners, Mario has teamed up with Plews Tyres for the foreseeable future. A big move from someone who rode on Michlin tyres for 8 years. Of course we had to dive deeper into understanding his opinion on the differences between the two and for his response to not only be about the tyres but the brands themselves was surprising!  We're all hard enduro fans here so of course we're taking about the 2026 Hard Enduro World Championship as well as Mario's role in the riders association. We couldn't forget the hard Enduro World Ranking either. We touched his collaboration with CF Moto as the brand ambassador and his plans for Red Bull Romaniacs on an ADV.  A key takeaway from our chat and suggestion for junior riders was Mario's emphasis on how riders should be seeing racing and riding as a business, and taking the time to invest in themselves and their online presence. This is something that Mario has done incredibly well and should definitely be something younger riders are focusing on.  Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:56 New bike, new team 06:03 Business  08:59 Plews tyres 12:14 CF Moto cooperation 14:13 RBR 2026 on an ADV 16:05 Priorities 17:54 2026 HEWC 19:15 Fave part of the new bike 20:55 WERA 23:00 Sorry Bro junior team 25:34 James Moore winning ROA 26:48 Advice for junior riders 28:32 HEWR We’d love to hear your thoughts, do you think going independent the future for top riders? Let us know in the comments ↓↓↓ Support the show Whether you're driving to work, heading back from a weekend ride or working on the bike in the garage make sure to tune in and if you're feeling generous you're welcome to buy us a coffee to support our efforts with the following link - https://buymeacoffee.com/worldhardenduro You can also connect with us on socials such as Insta and Youtube Instagram Youtube

    31 min
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About

Welcome to the World Hard Enduro podcast. We bring you deep dives into all things Hard Enduro, featuring interviews with industry legends, epic storytelling, and conversations that matter to the riding community. Follow along as we share industry news , race reports and noteworthy information in the space. The ultimate goal is to grow the sport of Hard Enduro. 

Information

  • Creator
    Tarryn, Brandon
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 World Hard Enduro Podcast
  • Show Website
    World Hard Enduro Podcast

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