Just two weeks after the MelzExdraehm in Meltewitz, the AUNER HardEnduroSeries Germany is heading into its final race weekend of the year. On Saturday, September 26, 2026, the final starting flag of the season will drop at the traditional Isegrim Enduro in Schwepnitz. While the overall Champion has already been crowned, several class titles are still to be decided.
Schwepnitz will not only mark the conclusion of an eventful HESG season. In 2026, the race gains additional international significance: for the first time, the Isegrim Enduro will count as a Challenger Event for the Hard Enduro World Ranking. This means that riders at the Altes Tanklager will not only fight for the final points of the AUNER HardEnduroSeries Germany season, but will also have the opportunity to score points for the international ranking.
From a sporting perspective, the series heads into the finale with one major decision already made. Henry Strauss wrapped up the overall title in Meltewitz. By finishing second behind Leon Hentschel, the 17-year-old secured the 2026 Championship ahead of schedule. Following his first title in 2024, Strauss is now a two-time AUNER HardEnduroSeries Germany Champion.
However, that does not mean he will arrive in Schwepnitz without a challenge. Leon Hentschel heads to the finale with plenty of momentum following his victory in Meltewitz. In a direct three-way battle with Strauss and the returning Milan Schmüser, Hentschel launched the decisive attack on the final lap to claim his second victory of the season. The final race of the year therefore promises another exciting battle between two of the strongest riders of the 2026 season.
Schwepnitz Returns to its Classic Character
The Altes Tanklager has been a regular fixture on the HESG calendar for many years. Schwepnitz is particularly well known for its long rock garden in the spectator area, which regularly becomes one of the key sections of the race.
For 2026, the course will also regain a feature that many riders will remember from earlier years. For the first time since 2019, a larger forest section will once again be integrated into the course. Special attention has been paid to ensuring that this section is not only manageable for the top riders. Hobby riders should also be able to tackle the course without losing the typical Hard Enduro character of the event.
The finale will therefore feature a mixture of familiar Schwepnitz key sections, technical terrain and the returning forest section. After the special long-distance format used in Meltewitz, Schwepnitz will also see a return to the classic HESG race format.
From the ACE Bikes Prolog Award to the Grand Final
Race day begins early in the morning with administrative and technical checks. At 8:45 a.m., the sporting action gets underway with the ACE Bikes Prolog Award, where riders will battle for the best starting positions for the following races.
The two group races will follow. Group Race 1 starts at 10:45 a.m., followed by Group Race 2 at 12:45 p.m. As usual, these races will determine who qualifies for the big final.
There will also be plenty of action away from the main races. At 3:10 p.m., the Stark Reverse Challenge is scheduled, before the riders take centre stage once again during the autograph session at 3:30 p.m.
At approximately 4:15 p.m., the sporting highlight of the day will begin. The final, run over 55 minutes plus one lap, will see the riders fight one last time in 2026 for the overall race victory and valuable championship points.
Following the race podium ceremony from 5:30 p.m., the season itself will be celebrated in the evening. Starting at 8:15 p.m., the most successful riders of the year will be honoured during the official Championship Awards Ceremony. Afterwards, the Championship Party will bring the 2026 season to a fitting conclusion.
Several Championship Titles Still to Be Decided
Although Henry Strauss has already secured the overall Championship, several individual classes remain undecided.
The battle in the X-GRIP Junior class remains particularly interesting. Luca Kropitsch heads to Schwepnitz as the championship leader. In Meltewitz, however, he had to settle for third behind the returning Emil Kessler and Max Eppelmann. Kessler in particular showed with an immediate class victory after three months out through injury that he could once again play a major role at the finale.
There was an unexpected twist in the Senior class in Meltewitz. Kai Uebe was able to claim the class victory based on the number of laps he had completed, but suffered an injury during the race. Should he be unable to compete in Schwepnitz, Manuel Woesner will have another opportunity to challenge for the Senior title at the final round.
Jakob Blazovich
In the Amateur class, Jakob Blazovich heads into the final race as the championship leader. In the Women's class, Julia Bittner leads the standings after adding another class victory in Meltewitz.
So even though the overall Championship has already been decided, there is still plenty at stake in Schwepnitz, with several class titles and championship positions yet to be settled.
A Special Conclusion to the 2026 Season
The AUNER HardEnduroSeries Germany will conclude a season featuring seven championship rounds and a wide variety of race formats in Schwepnitz. From the season opener in Neuhaus-Schierschnitz to Reetz, the premiere in Kronach, the anniversary double-header in Reisersberg and the unique MelzExdraehm, one final classic Hard Enduro challenge now awaits.
The Isegrim Enduro itself has a long history within the HESG. Riders including Kevin Gallas, Leon Hentschel and Milan Schmüser have already added their names to the winners' list. In 2026, the winner will once again receive Schwepnitz's traditional hand-crafted wolf trophy.
Anyone who still wants to take on the challenge can register for the season finale here:
https://www.hardenduro-germany.de/registration-isegrim-enduro-schwepnitz-26-09-2026/
Saturday will therefore decide much more than just the winner of the final HESG race of the year. The remaining championship titles will be awarded in Schwepnitz, Hard Enduro World Ranking points will be on offer there for the first time, and in the evening the 2026 AUNER HardEnduroSeries Germany Champions will be honoured together.
Photos: Michel238pic/Michel Kuchel