Yamaha ambassador and world-renowned extreme enduro rider, Pol Tarrés, took victory in the all-new Adventure Ultimate class of Red Bull Romaniacs, proving unstoppable aboard the Ténéré 700 Rally.
The annual Red Bull Romaniacs hard enduro event is designed to test the world’s most elite hard enduro riders and their machines – spanning across varying terrain from man-made obstacles in urban settings, to hostile landscapes and unpredictable territory.
Since the event’s inception in 2004, it has garnished a reputation as one of the toughest off-road motorcycle races in the world, attracting riders from beginner to elite.
Tarrés, best known for his exceptional skills as a hard enduro and trials rider, took the win by over three minutes in this year’s event – an achievement made even more impressive by the challenge of recovering from injury.
Tarrés, competing for Yamaha Motor Europe and the Trece Racing Society team, also took victory in the event’s prologue earlier in the week – signalling intent from the outset with sights set on securing his victory at the prestigious event.
Pol Tarrés took his first stab at the Red Bull Romaniacs back in 2021, making history aboard a Ténéré 700 by becoming the first rider to complete the Bronze Class aboard a twin-cylinder motorcycle. After picking up injuries in the 2022 and 2023 events, 2024 would see him etch himself into the history books aboard Yamaha machinery yet again, becoming the first rider to conquer the Silver Class aboard an Adventure model.
Despite leading the charge in this year’s Adventure Ultimate Class, his triumphant performance didn’t come without drama. The Ténéré rider overcome great adversity, when on the second day, a broken gear shifter left him with no other option than to shift gears by hand. While riding with this issue, Tarrés maintained his overall lead and still finished the day in second place, only two seconds behind the stage winner.
Finishing the fourth day with an impressive time of two hours, 48 minutes and 26 seconds, the Yamaha rider took class victory at Red Bull Romaniacs and was also joined on the podium by fellow Ténéré 700 rider, Dawid Szczotka.
“To be the first ever winner in the Red Bull Romaniacs Adventure Ultimate class is a fantastic feeling. After competing at the event throughout the last five years, this is the result that means the most. I’m very proud of my team and Yamaha Motor Europe, we are achieving a lot together and making dreams come true. The bike worked perfectly throughout the race. Unfortunately, a minor crash left me with a broken gear shifter, but I handled the setback well and still managed to finish the day on a high note. This victory means a lot to us, we’ve been working hard for a win throughout the last five years and now, the dream has become a reality. Everybody was riding at the limit and giving it their all right until the end – I’m proud to have taken the victory under such circumstances.” — Pol Tarrés
Elsewhere, event hopeful and 2024 Bronze Class winner, Kevin Gallas, had hopes of retaining his title but suffered an unfortunate incident on the third day while running in second place overall, resulting in a torn ACL, forcing him to withdraw from the event.
The 2025 Red Bull Romaniacs event also saw young rider and long-standing Yamaha customer, Joop Nissink, compete within the Adventure Lite class aboard his 2023 Ténéré 700 Rally Edition. The rider, originally from the Netherlands, became the highest ranked amateur in the class – clinching a podium finish and coming home with a memorable experience.
