Jonny Walker Impresses with Sixth on Four-Stroke Triumph Debut at Erzbergrodeo

Jonny Walker and Triumph Factory Racing turned heads at the 2025 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, with the Brit steering the all-new TF 250-E to a remarkable sixth-place finish in the team’s first-ever crack at the iconic hard enduro event.

Staged in Austria’s brutal Eisenerz quarry, the Erzbergrodeo is infamous for chewing up and spitting out riders and machines. Traditionally, it has been the playground of 300cc two-stroke machines, prized for their raw torque and agility in the steep, technical terrain. Four-strokes have rarely featured at the front, but Walker and Triumph’s 250cc production-based entry made a statement.

Walker put the TF 250-E in the spotlight from the outset, qualifying seventh in the two-day Iron Road Prologue to earn a front-row start for Sunday’s main event. Launching into the Hare Scramble alongside 500 riders, he surged into third in the opening stages and maintained a strong fourth place through much of the race before slipping to sixth as the final hour took its toll.

“What an amazing race,” said Walker. “The bike was absolutely brilliant and didn’t miss a beat. Considering I’ve only had it for two weeks and took it straight from the launch, it’s been faultless.” He admitted that he’d opted for a mousse that was too hard for the muddy forest sections, which cost him some vital traction late in the race. “Honestly, this feels like a win. To come here, to the toughest extreme enduro, and finish inside the top six on a four-stroke with the minimum of upgrades—I’m over the moon. It really shows what the Triumph TF 250-E can do.”

Just 14 riders reached the finish within the four-hour time limit, highlighting the severity of the 35-kilometre course. That Walker achieved the result on a bike that’s essentially production-spec, running a stock engine with only minor upgrades—Xtrig triple clamps, Renthal bars, and Haan wheels—makes the performance all the more impressive.

Triumph team manager Paul Edmondson, who knows the Iron Giant well from his own racing days, praised the effort. “As a former rider and competitor at the Erzbergrodeo, I’ve always had a real respect for what it takes to conquer the Iron Giant. That’s why I’m genuinely impressed and happy for Jonny and the new bike for achieving such a strong finish in this incredibly demanding event.”

Ian Kimber, Triumph’s Head of Global Racing Programmes, echoed the sentiment. “What Jonny accomplished today is nothing short of remarkable. To take a bike fresh from our production launch event, add components from our racing partners, and finish the toughest enduro race in the world in sixth place is truly incredible. Seeing our brand-new four-stroke compete in a field dominated by two-strokes shows exactly what it’s capable of.”

While Triumph didn’t unseat the two-stroke kings this time, their first foray into hard enduro sent a clear message: they’re here to compete.