The long summer break of the AUNER HardEnduroSeries Germany is coming to an end. Following the historic 50th race and the first Enduro Sprint in series history at Reisersberg at the end of June, the final two events of the 2026 season will take place within just two weeks in September. Racing resumes in Meltewitz on September 13, before the grand season finale takes place in Schwepnitz on September 26.
While the championship decisions are getting closer, preparations are in full swing at both venues. At the same time, riders also need to take action: particularly for Meltewitz, there is not much time left to secure a starting place.
Meltewitz Entry Deadline Already Next Week
Anyone wanting to take part in the MelzExdraehm on September 13 should not wait much longer to enter. Online registration closes next Wednesday. After that, regular entries for the penultimate round of the season will no longer be possible.
Meltewitz has been one of the special events on the HESG calendar for many years. Unlike the classic HESG races, there are no group races after the ACE Bikes Prolog Award. Instead, all riders head directly into the long main race, for which they have a maximum of three hours.
The riders must complete a specified number of laps as well as the checkpoint integrated into the course. This unique combination of Hard Enduro, endurance and race strategy has proven itself in Meltewitz and demands a lot from the riders over the entire race distance.
Meltewitz registration: https://www.hardenduro-germany.de/registration-melzexdraehm-13-09-2026/
New Prolog with More SuperEnduro Character
One major change will already be noticeable at the beginning of this year's race day. The Prolog has been redesigned for 2026 and will differ significantly from the previous version.
The SHC Meltewitz is aiming for a faster and more flowing course layout that will have more of a SuperEnduro character. Instead of individual sections repeatedly interrupting the riders' rhythm, the obstacles will be linked together more naturally to create a smoother and more continuous lap.
This will add another dimension to the battle for the ACE Bikes Prolog Award. In addition to riding as cleanly as possible, rhythm and speed will be crucial. At the same time, the Prolog result determines the starting order for the main race.
The main course itself was already fundamentally changed last year. The more compact but considerably more demanding layout formed the basis for the current concept, which the SHC Meltewitz will continue to develop in 2026.
First Championship Decision Possible in Meltewitz
From a sporting perspective, Meltewitz could already produce a major championship decision. Following his strong performances during the first part of the season, Henry Strauss heads into the penultimate round as the championship leader. He already has the opportunity to secure the 2026 HESG title in Meltewitz.
However, the special race format makes predictions difficult. The long riding time, technical sections and checkpoint require a different approach compared to the classic HESG races. A mistake or technical problem can quickly cost a significant amount of time over the long distance.
Meltewitz is therefore set to become one of the toughest challenges of the season once again.
Grand Finale in Schwepnitz Two Weeks Later
There will not be much time to recover afterwards. On September 26, the final championship points of the year will be awarded at the Isegrim Enduro in Schwepnitz.
At the "Altes Tanklager" motorsport facility, the series returns to the classic HESG format. Following the ACE Bikes Prolog Award, two group races will determine which riders qualify for the grand final. The course then becomes even more difficult, demanding everything from the finalists.
The terrain in Schwepnitz has continuously become more challenging in recent years. In particular, the long rock garden in the arena has developed into one of the trademarks of the Isegrim Enduro and regularly provides spectacular action.
Schwepnitz Joins the Hard Enduro World Ranking for the First Time
In 2026, the season finale gains additional international significance. For the first time, the Isegrim Enduro is part of the Hard Enduro World Ranking, where it is classified as a Challenger Event.
This means that Schwepnitz will not only be about the final points of the AUNER HardEnduroSeries Germany. Riders will also be able to add their result to the international ranking.
The new World Ranking combines results from different Hard Enduro events and racing series, allowing riders to be compared on an international level. The inclusion of the Isegrim Enduro adds further significance to the season finale and could also make the event particularly interesting for riders who have not regularly competed in the HESG so far.
Schwepnitz registration: https://www.hardenduro-germany.de/registration-isegrim-enduro-schwepnitz-26-09-2026/
Full Programme at the Season Finale
There will also be plenty of action in Schwepnitz beyond the championship battles. Race day begins with the ACE Bikes Prolog Award at 8:45 a.m. This will be followed by the HESG Kids races, before the two 90-minute group races start at 10:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.
In the afternoon, another Kids race will be followed by the Stark Reverse Challenge at 3:10 p.m. and an autograph session at 3:30 p.m. The grand final is scheduled to start at around 4:15 p.m., running for 55 minutes plus one additional lap.
Following the race podium ceremony at 5:30 p.m., the entire HESG season will be celebrated in the evening. The Championship Ceremony starts at 8:15 p.m., followed by the Championship Party from 9:15 p.m. to officially bring the 2026 season to a close.
Two Races, Two Completely Different Challenges
The final part of the season will therefore present the riders with two very different challenges. In Meltewitz, the focus will be on the long main race with its checkpoint and the newly redesigned, more flowing Prolog. Schwepnitz, meanwhile, brings back the classic HESG format and combines the grand season finale with the Hard Enduro World Ranking for the first time.
Before attention turns to Schwepnitz, however, Meltewitz comes first. Regular online registration remains open only until next Wednesday. Anyone wanting to be part of the penultimate round of the season should therefore not wait until the last moment to enter.
After more than two months of summer break, September 13 will finally mean Race Day again in the AUNER HardEnduroSeries Germany.
Current information about the AUNER HardEnduroSeries Germany is always available at www.hardenduro-germany.de and on the series’ social media channels.
Fotos: Michel238pic/Michel Kuchel