The second race of the 2025 season – this time held in Reetz – turned out to be another successful race day, both for the AUNER HESG and the organizing MSC Burg Eisenhardt, as well as for the numerous riders who lined up.
Despite the sandy soil, which many riders are not particularly fond of, over 100 participants once again took to the start, creating a well-filled and highly competitive field. The demanding course pushed riders to their limits, but the motivation and determination were clearly visible across the board.
A special highlight in Reetz: many new track sections awaited the competitors. The final in particular featured spectacular hill climbs, offering a visual and athletic treat for both fans and riders alike. And despite Reetz not being a traditional Enduro stronghold in western Brandenburg, plenty of fans came out to support the action.
Facts – HardEnduro Reetz, 12 April 2025
Weather: 18°C, sunny
ACE Bikes Prolog Award Winner: Henry Strauss (KTM)
Overall Winner: Milan Schmüser
Fastest Lap: Henry Strauss (KTM), 13:13.006
Henry Strauss Steals the Spotlight from Schmüser in the ACE Bikes Prolog Award
As the winner of the season opener in Neuhaus-Schierschnitz and the current leader in the ACE Bikes Prolog Award standings, Milan Schmüser was the first rider to hit the track in Reetz. His time of 3:49 minutes set an early benchmark, though it also suggested that gaps between riders might be larger than usual.
Right behind him came Pascal Sadecki, who gave it his all but was two seconds off Schmüser’s time. However, it wasn’t over yet – Henry Strauss was next to start and delivered a strong performance. His 3:47.699-minute lap put him at the top of the timing sheets, earning him not only the lead but also the ACE Bikes Prolog Award win in Reetz.
A few incidents followed during the prologue: some torn safety tapes caused unfair conditions for several riders. These competitors were granted a restart, ensuring equal chances and fair lap times in the end.
First Decisions in the Group Races
As always, the first results came during the group races. With a lap time of over 15 minutes, the organizers had truly maximized the potential of the Reetz course. On top of that, several new track sections added technical variety and excitement.
In the first group race, Rico Petzold claimed victory in the HESG-E class, securing full points – although he was the sole entrant in the category that day. The second group featured, among others, the women's class. Once again, Julia Bittner dominated and comfortably took the win, confirming her strong form.
Group race victories in the main classes went to Henry Strauss and Milan Schmüser. From each group, the top 25 riders advanced to the grand finale, which was contested under near-perfect racing conditions.
Finale: Dust and Strategy Decide the Outcome
While the morning started out chilly and overcast, the weather turned nearly summery just in time for the final race. Combined with the now heavily dusty track, these conditions demanded even more from both riders and machines.
The group winners – Schmüser and Strauss – were the first pair to start, reviving the exciting rivalry that had already thrilled fans in Neuhaus-Schierschnitz.
The final lap included several new and spectacular hill climbs. Riders assessed these sections cautiously before the start. What initially seemed to be the toughest parts turned out to be manageable – but other areas became unexpectedly tricky.
Fans lined the track in large numbers, eagerly waiting for the first riders to appear. Milan Schmüser was the first to come into view, closely followed by Henry Strauss. Strauss later pointed to this as a decisive factor: "I had to ride in the dust from the beginning and never really had a clear chance to pass."
Toward the end of the race, Strauss had to refuel due to his smaller tank, while Schmüser completed the final without a pit stop. Aside from a harmless crash near the finish, Schmüser’s run was nearly flawless. He once again took the win but remained self-critical: "It was much more exhausting than in Neuhaus-Schierschnitz. I won, but it wasn’t easy. Now I’m looking forward to Hamma."
Just like two weeks ago, Leon Hentschel took third place. The current standings in both the PRO classification and overall championship now mirror this podium lineup.
X-GRIP Juniors Bring More Action
The X-GRIP Junior class also delivered thrilling racing – and once again, it was Pascal Sadecki who came out on top. Despite struggling with some of the steeper climbs, he maintained focus and secured his second win of the season.
Things were tighter behind him in the battle for second place. Up to five riders were in the mix at various points, but Jan Vavolda ultimately had the luck and pace to secure the runner-up spot.
A standout performance came from Felix Strauss, who staged an impressive comeback. After getting stuck for a long time at the first log obstacle, it looked like his race was over. But he clawed his way back through the field and eventually found himself locked in a fierce battle with Emil Kessler.
The two ACE Bikes HESG Talentpool riders traded positions multiple times. In the penultimate lap, the showdown took place: Kessler launched a move at the "wood chip pit" and pulled up alongside Strauss – only to crash and lose significant time once again. That allowed Strauss to hold on and take third place.
In the Senior and Amateur categories, the results mirrored those from the season opener: Kai Uebe won among the Seniors, and Beqirej Arbenit repeated his victory in the Amateurs.
Luminus Energie HESG Kids See New Winners
There was also plenty of excitement in the Luminus Energie HESG Kids classes – with fresh faces appearing on the podium. Loris Solbrig continued his great form with a second consecutive win, while the 50cc and 65cc classes saw new talents rise to the top.
Jordan Wittenberg, who won the opening round, was absent this weekend due to his participation in the Mini Enduro European Cup in Hungary. That opened the door for Constantin Richter, who capitalized on the opportunity. He and Louis Meier each won one race, but Richter came out on top in the second moto and was therefore crowned the day’s overall winner.
In the 50cc class, Niklas Sonnack of Morlinghaus Racing claimed his first win of the season.
The next race will take place on May 17 in Hamma. After two intense race weekends, riders now have time to recover and prepare. Online registration for Hamma opens on April 22 at 12:00 noon.
Stay up to date with all things AUNER HardEnduroSeries Germany at www.hardenduro-germany.de and on social media.
Photos: Michel238pic/Michel Kuchel