What did riders have to say about the Xross 2024

The Xross Hard Enduro Rally 2024 rally has once again captivated the Hard Enduro community with its challenging terrains and exhilarating routes. This year's event brought together a diverse group of riders with unique experiences and perspectives. From professional athletes to promising up-and-comers and enthusiastic newcomers, we gathered their impressions to give you an inside look at what made the Xross 2024 an unforgettable adventure. Here’s what the riders had to say about this year's race.

Photo by Predrag Vuckovic / Extreme Photographer

"I had a good weekend, with no crashes, or at least no big crashes. The bike worked really well. I had a good first two days, and on the last day, I felt a bit tired, but I had a big gap, so I just maintained, and I am pretty happy with the overall results. This year, the weather was the hardest part. It was very hot, and in the valleys and canyons, it was really difficult because there was no air going through. This win brings back the old memories of my previous wins at Xross, and I am happy to finish in the top place and get the job done."

- Wade Young (ZAF), Xross champion

Photo by Predrag Vuckovic / Extreme Photographer

"We underwent many things with the team in the first days, but still, we managed to be in the fight for the best spot. Today, I gave my all to grab it. I can not be upset, I am happy because I gave my all, I performed well, and we were there fighting for the top podium spot. The tracks were a bit easier because of the dry and hot weather, but physically, it was more exhausting because we needed to drink a lot of water. It was tiring on the body and the mind. Overall, I am really happy. The Xross is one of my favorite races, and I look forward to returning and racing the hardest I can."

-Teodor Kabakchiev (BUL), Xross vice-champion

Photo by Predrag Vuckovic / Extreme Photographer

"I really enjoyed the race. It started quite well for me, with 2nd place on the first day. Also, on the second day, I rode really well. I found a good rhythm, and the bike was really good. I enjoyed it. It was a great mixture of hard sections and flowy, fast sections. Congrats to the organization. The riverbeds were not as bad as last year's, but the loose sections with the sun and heat made it difficult to ride. Dust and heat were the biggest problems. But I just tried to go as fast as possible, to be the least I could in the sun, and to cool down at the service point. Enjoyed the race and was happy with the podium."

- Michael Walkner, Xross 3rd place

Photo by Predrag Vuckovic / Extreme Photographer

"Well, I liked it more when the race was in May because it was more slippery, the forest was more beautiful, and the conditions were tougher than this year. This year, we had a lot of grip, very dry and very dusty, for sure it was not about the organization - it was about the weather. But I also think the track was easier this year, and I didn’t like it as much as in previous years. I liked all the loops, but I hated the single tracks. But I am happy to be at the finish line. It was a good race, and hopefully, it will be more challenging next year."

- Mario Roman (ESP), Xross 4th place

Photo by Vladimir Mladenovic

"It was good, but the race was challenging. The rocks here are pretty relentless, and they move a lot, especially when it is so dry. I am happy with my result and that I finished the race after such a long week. I was completely dehydrated on the 2nd off-road day to the point of losing my mind. I really had to focus on proper nutrition and fluids. I also got medical attention, which helped a lot. Weather conditions are crazy, we went to Wales, which was supposed to be wet, and it was so hot, then we came to the ski resort, and it was piping hot as well, Erzberg was wet and raining every day, and we had hot weather here, so it is so inconsistent. Basically, we have to adjust. On the last day, I was okay, and I tried to bridge the gap, but it was not possible. I am happy with 9th place overall. Thanks to my team and my girlfriend for helping me, and lastly, to the organizers. They put on a good show. It is nice to come here and enjoy the race, and everything runs like it is supposed to."

- Matthew Green (ZAF), Xross 9th place

Photo by Predrag Vuckovic / Extreme Photographer

"I started the week with the win on Prologue but struggled with the GPS navigation. However, I managed to get around behind it on Day 3, put my head down, and pull some good time. I am super happy with my riding and the results in Junior class. The weather was not typical English, but it was the same for everyone; it is what it is."

- Mitch Brightmore (GBR), Xross 1st place in Junior Class

Photo by Vladimir Mladenovic

"This is my first rally race, and it took a lot of learning. Each day, I got better and better, and I was really happy with today’s results. It was very challenging with the heat, but I enjoyed the last day quite a lot. I will take this knowledge into Romaniacs now and try to do better there."

- Ashton Brightmore (GBR), Xross 3rd place in Junior Class

Photo by Vladimir Mladenovic

"This is my first time at the Xross. I didn’t expect this (win in the Expert class), but it was a nice surprise. The tracks were really hard, especially because of the heat. It has been very hot these last few days, and there were many rocks. I am not used to them. It is hard to tell what I liked the most, but Day 1 and Day 3 were the ones that I enjoyed the most. The entire race was good, and the organizer did a good job."

- Sergiu Grecu (ROM), Xross winner in the Expert Class

Photo by Vladimir Mladenovic

"It was the best possible race, I only have nice things to say. I enjoyed the tracks I hadn’t been able to ride before because I am from Zlatibor. Yet, being a local didn’t help me much because many tracks were completely new. The heat was not that big of a problem for us in Hobby class because we didn’t have any extremely tough sections, and the tracks usually led us to the clearings with a bit of find to cool us down."

- Zivomir Bjelic (SRB), Xross 3rd place in Hobby Class

Photo by Vladimir Mladenovic

"It was equally good and hard. The 1st day was fast, the 2nd was hard because I didn't eat anything, and the 3rd was brutally good. I am 17 years old and have been riding hard enduro for five years. This is my first victory in a major race, which motivates me a lot. I want to ride in a Pro class one day, so this is a huge booster."

- Taj Karo (SVK), Xross 1st place in Amateur Class