The opening round of the AUNER HardEnduroSeries Germany 2026 in Neuhaus-Schierschnitz reminded many participants of the 2023 event, when heavy rain lasted throughout the entire race day. While Friday’s arrival day still showed its pleasant side, light rain set in on race day and continued throughout the day, making the track increasingly demanding.
Facts – CHAMPION Hardenduro Challenge Neuhaus-Schierschnitz, March 14, 2026
Weather: 8°C, rainy
ACE Bikes Prolog Award winner: Arvid Meyer (Stark)
Winner: Leon Hentschel (BETA)
Champion Oil Fastest Lap: Leon Hentschel (BETA), 11:04.542
Despite the difficult conditions, the riders were not discouraged. More than 150 competitors took part in the season opener – more than at any single round during the previous season.
The host club MC Isolator Neuhaus-Schierschnitz had also prepared several changes to the track. The course was significantly extended and for the first time included the sand pit, which could finally be integrated into the layout following a change of ownership. Especially there, several additional difficult sections awaited the riders, particularly during the final race.
First fastest time for a Stark Varg
Race day started at 8:45 AM with the ACE Bikes Prolog Award, where riders competed in a short time trial to determine the starting positions for the group races.
Initially Leon Hentschel set the fastest time. However, the Beta rider received a three-second penalty after skipping a section of the track, which dropped him back in the classification.
This resulted in the first fastest time for a Stark Varg rider in the history of the AUNER HardEnduroSeries Germany. Arvid Meyer, who is competing entirely on the electric motorcycle this season, secured the fastest time and immediately made a statement at the season opener.
Henry Strauss, last year’s vice champion, who started as the first rider on track, struggled with the slippery conditions. The KTM rider initially finished the prologue in third place.
Exciting group races
Both group races already delivered thrilling racing during the morning. Especially the first race was extremely intense, with the lead changing several times.
At first Arvid Meyer led the field. However, the Stark Varg rider encountered battery management issues and had to stop one lap before the finish. Meyer remained calm afterwards and explained that he simply still lacked some experience with the electric technology in that situation.
After the positions began to stabilize on the roughly ten-minute lap, Henry Strauss launched the decisive attack. With an extremely fast lap of 9:51 minutes, last year’s vice champion pulled away from the field and eventually won Group Race 1 ahead of Marc Wulf and Matthis Millich.
Both Wulf and Millich had only recently decided to compete regularly again this season, and their podium results already provided a solid foundation for the championship.
The 85cc HESG Kids riders were also part of the first group race. There Loris Solbrig once again came out on top ahead of Paul Wirth and Marcel Gorajski.
The second group race also provided exciting action. Here Leon Hentschel took the victory. The series’ most successful rider used his experience on the difficult track to win ahead of Florian Geisenhofer and Luca Kropitsch, both newcomers or returning riders who delivered strong performances.
Florian Geisenhofer
The women’s classification was also held in the second group race. Hedi Baum took the victory ahead of Dorothea Maaz and Katrin Hodapp. For defending champion Julia Bittner, however, the opener ended early as she had to retire after the first lap.
Exciting final with battle for the victory
The final race started at 4:15 PM and was run over 55 minutes plus one lap. Unlike the rest of the race day, the rain stopped during the final, allowing the many spectators to watch an exciting race on the extended course with several new and challenging sections.
At the front, the expected duel between Leon Hentschel and Henry Strauss quickly developed. Initially the young rider Strauss took the lead and controlled the race. Hentschel, however, stayed calm and patiently waited for his opportunity.
When the chance came, the series record holder executed a clean move to take the lead.
One lap before the finish Strauss closed the gap again, but both riders made small mistakes on the difficult track. As a result Leon Hentschel maintained the lead and secured victory at the season opener of the AUNER HardEnduroSeries Germany.
Leon Hentschel
Marc Wulf finished third, making a strong start to the season as well. Arvid Meyer took fourth place, delivering an impressive comeback. After his problems in the group race, the Stark Varg rider fought his way through the field and even came close to the podium.
Class results
The top four overall also represented the Pro class results.
In the Junior class, Emil Kessler lived up to his role as one of the favourites. With eighth place overall, he secured the junior class victory. Linus Albert finished second ahead of Austrian rider Luca Kropitsch.
Emil Kessler
The Amateur class victory went to Jakob Blazovich, who celebrated his first win in the AUNER HardEnduroSeries Germany.
In the Senior class, Manuel Woessner claimed victory. In his first race as a senior rider, he immediately finished ahead of last year’s champion Kai Uebe.
The HESG-E class was won by Arvid Meyer ahead of Eric Seifert and Peter Fakler.
The HESG Kids classes also delivered exciting racing. In both youth categories, guest riders took the victories. Karl König won the 50cc class, while Emil Doras secured the win in the 65cc class.
Next round on March 28, 2026 in Reetz
The opener in Neuhaus-Schierschnitz once again delivered everything that makes a round of the AUNER HardEnduroSeries Germany so special. Challenging track conditions, exciting battles and a strong rider field ensured a successful start to the new season.
It also became clear once again how competitive and balanced the field is in the 2026 season, with many riders capable of fighting for top positions.
However, there is little time to rest. The next round will already take place in two weeks, when the series continues on March 28, 2026 in Reetz, Brandenburg.
Entries for the event are already open at
https://www.hardenduro-germany.de/onlinenennung-reetzer-hardenduro-28-03-2026/
Current information about the AUNER HardEnduroSeries Germany is always available at www.hardenduro-germany.de and on the official social media channels.
Photos: Michel238pic/Michel Kuchel