2026 Red Bull Tennessee Knockout: The Results and the Drama
Hard enduro is about as tough as off-road motorcycling gets, and the Red Bull Tennessee Knockout (TKO) is one hell of a test. Riders face steep climbs, rock gardens and technical obstacles that can turn a promising race into a figjht just to reach the finish.
The TKO features several classes, including eMoto Sportsman, where electric bikes race against each other, and the main Pro class, where electric and petrol-powered bikes go head to head. In 2026, RFN, Bonnell and Zero filled the eMoto Sportsman podium, while Stark riders finished fourth and seventh overall in Pro.
The Racing, the Drama and the Results
The action ran over three days at the Trials Training Center in Sequatchie, Tennessee, with qualifying and knockout stages leading to the 20-rider Pro final.
Adam Giles – RFN E15+ (eMoto Sportsman winner)
Giles won eMoto Sportsman, but it wasn't exactly a trouble-free ride. His battery ran out mid-race, sending him back to the pits for a swap and dropping him behind Baldwin.
Giles wasn't done yet. He got back out there, fought through the field and reclaimed the lead to win in 1:17:00, just six seconds ahead of second place.
RFN described the result as the first international hard enduro win for its Warrior platform. Not a bad way to make a name for yourself.
Brett Baldwin – Bonnell 805 RX
Baldwin came painfully close to taking the win. We've covered Baldwin's ride and what it means for Bonnell in our Bonnell 805 RX Finishes Second at Tennessee Knockout report.
Isaac Johnston – Zero XE
Johnston brought the Zero XE home in third. At 15.5 kW, it has considerably less peak power than Bonnell's 805 RX.
And there it was on the podium. In hard enduro, having the biggest power figure on paper only gets you so far. Getting that power to the ground, finding traction and keeping the bike under control matter just as much.
Electric Bikes in the Pro Class
Eddie Karlsson – Stark Varg EX (4th overall)
Karlsson finished fourth overall on the Stark Varg EX, despite a derailed chain costing him time. He recovered to finish ahead of Jonny Walker and Cody Webb.
Jonny Walker – Triumph TF 450-E (5th overall)
Walker's day on the Triumph TF 450-E got off to a rough start when a first-turn crash dropped him towards the back of the field. He fought his way through the pack, only to lose fourth to Karlsson after a mistake on the final hill.
The overall Pro victory went to Manuel Lettenbichler on a KTM, with Trystan Hart second and Billy Bolt third. Toby Martyn also finished seventh on a Stark Varg, giving electric motorcycles two places in the overall Pro top seven.
Here's a look at some of the electric riders who turned up, and what they were riding:
Class | Rider | Bike |
eMoto Sportsman | Adam Giles | RFN E15+ |
eMoto Sportsman | Brett Baldwin | Bonnell 805 RX |
eMoto Sportsman | Isaac Johnston | Zero XE |
eMoto Sportsman | Nathan Bilbrey | Bonnell |
eMoto Sportsman | Rex Newton | Bonnell |
eMoto Pro | Conor Hennessy | RFN E15+ |
eMoto Pro | Maxwell Beaupre | Bonnell |
eMoto Pro | Eddie Karlsson | Stark Varg EX |
eMoto Pro | Toby Martyn | Stark Varg |
The BCB Take
The real test for electric hard enduro is what happens when the terrain gets nasty and the clock is ticking. Power figures only tell you so much. Battery management, traction, handling and rider skill all come into play, and Tennessee gave us a good look at how those pieces fit together.
Let's not get carried away. One race doesn't tell us how these bikes will hold up over a full season. Giles' battery swap is a reminder that managing your energy is still part of the job, even when you've got the pace to win.
With Stark riders finishing fourth and seventh in the overall Pro class, Tennessee was another reminder that electric bikes can compete beyond the electric-only races. There's still plenty to prove, but the results show what these machines can offer when the terrain gets tough.
Ride safe, folks.
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