Following the landmark confirmation that Red Bull Erzbergrodeo has opened competition to electric motorcycles for the first time in the event's history, Stark Future is proud to confirm its rider lineup for the 2026 edition. Eddie Karlsson, Toby Martyn and Cooper Abbott will represent Stark aboard the Stark VARG, as the brand takes on one of the most demanding off-road races on earth.

When Red Bull Erzbergrodeo confirmed that the Stark VARG could line up alongside combustion competitors under the same sporting and technical regulations, it marked a defining step for electric off-road racing. Now, Stark arrives with a rider lineup built to compete.

Eddie Karlsson #21

One of the most distinctive riders in off-road racing, Sweden's Eddie Karlsson built his reputation in trials, winning 10 consecutive Swedish titles and becoming European Champion in 2013, before successfully transitioning into extreme enduro and SuperEnduro. On the Stark VARG EX, Karlsson has already proven what electric performance can do in difficult terrain, including a podium at Red Bull Los Andes Hard Enduro 2024 and overall Silver Class victory at Red Bull Romaniacs 2025. He now leads Stark's charge into Erzberg as one of the most credible electric hard enduro riders in the world.

"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."

Toby Martyn #45

One of Britain's most versatile off-road talents, Toby Martyn brings front-running pace across enduro, SuperEnduro and extreme enduro formats. He finished 5th overall in the 2025/26 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, further underlining his status as one of the strongest all-round riders in the paddock. At the opening round of the 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, Martyn showed immediate pace before mechanical issues dropped him down the order. Even so, he fought back to finish inside the top ten and arrives at Erzberg with speed, hunger and the kind of resilience the Iron Giant demands.

"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."

Cooper Abbott #65

One of hard enduro's most promising young riders, Cooper Abbott has built a reputation through aggressive riding, technical skill and strong performances across the international extreme enduro scene. Fast, fearless and still rising, Abbott adds youth and depth to a Stark lineup designed to attack Erzberg from multiple angles.

"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!"

Sébastien Tortelli #59

A true legend of off-road motorcycle racing, Sébastien Tortelli brings championship-winning pedigree and immense technical credibility to Stark's Erzberg programme. The Frenchman is a two-time FIM Motocross World Champion, having won the 125cc World Championship in 1996 and the 250cc World Championship in 1998. At Erzbergrodeo 2026, Tortelli will ride the Thursday Rocket Ride and Friday Prologue events aboard the Stark VARG, bringing star power, technical insight and further depth to Stark's presence on the mountain.

"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…"

A LANDMARK MOMENT FOR ELECTRIC RACING

Red Bull Erzbergrodeo remains the ultimate test in hard enduro: a brutal course carved into the iron ore mountain of Erzberg, Austria, where historically only a small number of riders finish the main race each year. For 2026, Stark VARG riders will enter through the Open Class Prologue Qualification and, on merit, can progress directly into Sunday's Main Race, fully integrated into the existing competition structure.

To support electric participation, Red Bull Erzbergrodeo has put dedicated event-side infrastructure in place, including an emission-free charging station in the Erzbergrodeo Arena, an additional powered location on the mountain, and a permitted battery-swapping point at the same course location as traditional refuelling, where service crews are authorised to assist.

This is not a side story. It is electric entering one of the hardest races in motorcycle sport under the same structure, the same scrutiny and the same mountain.