KRKA Enduro Raid 2026

The KRKA Enduro Raid 2026 took place on April 24th and 25th in Primošten, capturing the exact vibe that draws Enduro riders from Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland to Croatia each year. Officially, the format remains a "Race no Race": competition with a raid-like character, allowing riders to choose whether to tackle the red hard sections. For many, it marked the beginning of the warm season, this time graced with sunshine, blue skies, sea views, and that southern feel that is as much a part of KRKA as the rocky terrains.

The legendary beach race wasn't the main focus of the event, but rather the fitting conclusion after long Enduro rounds. On the first day, around 150 kilometers were scheduled, and about 120 kilometers on the second day. Anyone who still revs it up on the beach in front of an audience by then has truly felt the day's grind. For spectators, this finale is undoubtedly a spectacle, but for the riders, it's more the final test of concentration before the beach party. It's precisely here that the blend of sport, vacation, and laid-back Enduro circus comes to life.

If you don't like rocks, you can't complain at the KRKA Enduro. The track constantly leads over slabs, loose rocks, and rough sections that demand precise technical riding. That's exactly what makes it appealing. If you want to improve your rock and stone skills, you'll get an honest lesson here, without it feeling sterile or artificial. The route is tough enough to command respect, yet it's set within a landscape that perfectly combines Enduro riding with a Croatian holiday.

This time, I wasn't just on-site as an observer but was actually racing myself, with the CFMOTO 450MT in the twin-cylinder class. Finishing fifth in such terrain with this bike was not a bad day at work. The effort was intense enough to truly put the machine to the test. A detailed review will follow, as a big Enduro run at KRKA offers more insights than any leisurely test ride. The report will be published once the photographer delivers the event photos :-) and can be found here. I've also shared a brief impression of the bike in video form on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXjTESHABu1/.

A staple at the race once again was the KLIM pit stop. The apparel manufacturer from Idaho presented itself in a quietly down-to-earth manner, visibly taking caring care of both participants and bikes. It's these kinds of details that make a difference on a long Enduro day, as any bit of support is welcome between the start, special stages, beach, and the ride home. Their presence perfectly matched the event: professional, straightforward, and friendly, without overshadowing the race. This way, the brand stays memorable without coming across like a billboard.

On the sporting front, there was a clear statement at the top: Dieter Rudolf clinched the overall win as well as the Enduro Light category on his GAS GAS with a time of 49:30 minutes. Following him were Manuel Eder on a KTM at 53:38 and Leopold Marschnig on a KTM at 55:04, just ahead of Felix Zöhrer and Tjaša Fifer. It was also notable how tight the competition was among the top five. Rudolf broke away decisively, but every second counted for those following. It was a strong, clear statement for the overall standings.

In the Ladies Class, Tjaša Fifer took victory on a GAS GAS with a time of 55:25 minutes, followed by Vanessa Danz on a KTM at 1:12:04 and Anja Biethahn on a KTM at 1:25:19. They were followed by Linda Mörtl, Anna-Lena Hiebl, Anna Rieder, Maria Frey, Yvonne Dürrenberger, Nina Buchholz, and Tamara Pettit.

In the Over-50 Class, Klaus Huemer on a BETA secured a clear victory with a time of 1:02:28, finishing just 22 seconds ahead of Manfred Reithofer and 33 seconds ahead of Steffen Jagielski.

The twin-cylinder class at KRKA had its own distinct rhythm. Wilfried Schmidtmayr secured victory on a KTM with a time of 6:58:31, ahead of Manuel Hafen on an Aprilia and Bernhard Schmidtmayr on a Yamaha. Following them were Timo Reinhardt, myself with the CFMOTO in fifth place, and Norbert Strasser in sixth, all demonstrating that simply finishing and maintaining a steady pace is a statement in itself. Especially on big bikes, KRKA quickly turns a casual raid into a serious test of both equipment and endurance.

All in all, the KRKA Enduro Raid 2026 was once again everything that has made it a strong event over the years: a challenging Enduro appointment with sea views, an international lineup of participants, plenty of riding time, and an atmosphere that families also enjoy. The spots filled up quickly as always, a testament to the event's quality. If you want to master riding on rocks, this is the place to be. Those looking to combine Enduro with a Croatian vacation will find Primošten to be a rather splendid fixture on the calendar.

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