20 YEARS OF ERZBERGRODEO
MYTHS, EMOTIONS, LEGENDS
20 FOR 20
WEBISODE 15: ATTACK ON EISENERZ
Imagine, we're all starting our bikes
and just visiting the city in which we are guests.
The biggest Offroad-Bike-Rally, I think, there is
on the planet.
Events like the Attack On Eisenerz are extremely important for the residents
and for the municipality Eisenerz, because the connection between the rally
at the top of the mountain and the people in the city gets stronger because of it.
MEANWHILE MORE THAN 3,300 MOTORBIKES TAKE PART
Because of the very emotional reactions, I think, you can feel,
that it's really a good thing.
Because I always drive up front, I always have the first sight.
Everyone greets us, everyone is laughing and having fun.
So, for me it's a good thing.
In the beginning of the Erzbergrodeo, there already was this attack,
but it always took place on the mountain.
Karl Katoch drove with all the participants from the paddock in the Erzbergrodeo-Arena
to the top of the mountain.
And there definitely was the wish of the locals:
"Come visit us. You're four days on the mountain,
we'd be glad to welcome you."
Then we said, "okay, we won't attack the summit, we'll attack Eisenerz."
And I was very surprised, how many people participated.
There were, I think, 2,000 people there.
How much feedback there is, in form of waving or cheering,
when we pass through, is really impressive.
PERMANENT EVENT SINCE 2004
I think the longest lasting impression you get from the attack on Eisenerz
are just the pictures of all kinds of clothes,
of various special constructions.
It's a really colorful and a very illustrious group,
which goes on the ride every year.
It's really interesting how creative the people are.
But still the best is when the women
ride on the bikes behind the men.
I didn't expect, that there would be so many people.
And back then I didn't expect that it was going to evolve like this.
For me it was completely unbelievable and still is, when I drive through there.
It's kind of touching.
WEBISODE 16: SIDE-EVENTS
Whoever visits Erzberg wants entertainment, fun or to exhaust himself
in some way. Therefore it's important,
that you offer something for everyone in those four days.
When we talk about the side-events at the Erzbergrodeo,
I'd say, that "Kini"-Jump is the mother of all things.
The "Kini"-Jump was the first side-event, if you want to call it that
and it showed that people there freak out so much
and are so excited, that it was obvious for us,
that we want to do more like this.
So we developed and idea of the audience,
which we noticed at that point.
Yes, the Erzberg Rodeo is a big collection of motorsports enthusiasts.
And the day is as important as the evening.
ENDURO-RACE BECOMES A MOTORSPORT-FESTIVAL
And when the Erzbergrodeo-Königsklasse got cancelled,
we did the "Rocket Ride" instead.
The "Rocket Ride" is a invention of Peter Nesuta.
Back then he said, we just do a steep-slope-race.
And look, it was successful.
For me this was always fascinating, those steep slopes,
the steep slopes at the Erzberg, endless slopes, which won't stop.
And there's not just one, there are three one after the other.
And that's in the start area.
Now we searched a competition, which is not too dangerous for the drivers
a) so they hurt themselves, b) so they don't crash their bikes,
but in which the good drivers still participate in.
It was always sold out, always full, as it was publicized extremely well.
PART OF THE ERZBERGRODEO SINCE 2009
I think that we're a very big family,
which has somehow managed to appear to work together.
And there are always more people coming, because they just like it.
Jet ski drivers were actually always with us, as active drivers,
and we just didn't know it.
And suddenly they call and say, hey, we have jetski,
wouldn't you like to have a show down here? We said, yeah, why not?
And meanwhile it's become a regular item on the agenda.
I think that's an interesting aspect. It smooths the whole picture again.
You have the prologue, you have the Rocket Ride, you have the Red Bull Hare Scramble,
you have the FMX and there is a bit of everything there.
So I think it will stay colorful.