Red Bull Knock Out is coming
By Team TMX on 26th Nov 15
Almost every other weekend of the year, the beaches of Scheveningen along the Dutch Coast in The Hague are quiet, tranquil getaways. But in late November, 1500 pro and amateur motocross riders descend on the sands to compete in Red Bull Knock Out, the largest and toughest motocross race in the world.
The Red Bull Knock Out is so intense that the competition either looked like a motocross championship or the legendary chariot race from Ben Hur! During each of the four qualifying heats on Saturday the 28th, 375 professional and amateur riders will rev their engines along the gate before being unleashed on the beach. With each lap they will face harsh winter winds, wet and dry sand, treacherous surf, hills, jumps, sand pits and other obstacles, not to mention competitors blasting past them from every angle, stalled bikes and the ticking clock.
On Sunday, 700 riders compete and the top 350 riders advance to the finals. There will be little time for finalists to massage aching muscles, blast sand out of their engines and refill the fuel tank because there's only 45 minutes to rest and recharge before the finals begin and a winner is crowned.
The 5 km beach track combines a long speed section and several technical parts with tough obstacles. Amateur motocross riders as young as 16 are able to compete with top pros including enduro riders David Knight (UK) and Adrien van Beveren (FRA, winner of Le Touquet 2015) and Motocross athletes Ben Watson, Nathan Watson, Glenn Coldenhoff, Davy Pootjes and former winner Marc de Reuver. Each rider is only allowed one mechanic to join them on the beach. Their entourages are welcome to join the swelling crowds up and down the course; past event attendance topped 150,000.
Red Bull Knock Out is a one-off, one of a kind test of endurance, skill, bravery, sportsmanship, humor, humility and overall fearlessness. While most Pro Am tournaments involve golfers enjoying a quiet day on the links, this one gives anyone with a little cash (€75 registration fee), loads of determination, and a high tolerance for sand in the face to enjoy a full weekend of competition and camaraderie with fellow motocross enthusiasts.
