The Rock Trophy 2025 roared to life on the afternoon of Sunday, April 6. The race opened with the Prologue unfolding in the scenic setting of the Rock Arena. The terrain was striking former travertine quarry, located just outside the bivouac area in Geoagiu Bai.
This ancient site, carved into the natural landscape over generations, stands as a testament to the region’s geological richness and its long-standing tradition of stone extraction. Travertine from this area has been used for centuries in buildings, monuments, and infrastructure throughout Romania, valued for its durability and natural beauty.
Now repurposed as a proving ground for some of the toughest off-road machines and teams in Europe, the Rock Arena has become a symbolic gateway into the world of The Rock Trophy. Its steep rock walls and uneven terrain create a unique, almost gladiatorial atmosphere—an arena in the truest sense of the word—where skill, power, and precision are immediately put to the test.
The Prologue
course was nothing short of spectacular. Meticulously laid out by the event organizers, the route featured a series of technical challenges. All of them designed to push vehicles and drivers to their limits. From steep sections to narrow rock corridors and daring winch climbs, every metre of the course required attention and finesse. The complexity of the terrain required a precise guide, a clever line choice and mechanical resilience. Thus giving competitors and spectators alike a thrilling preview of what lies ahead.
In addition to the challenges of the course itself, both participants and organizers at The Rock Trophy 2025 had to face an unexpected cold front and a sudden snowstorm. This gave the event an almost surreal atmosphere. Fortunately, by late afternoon the weather took a turn for the better.
Far from being just a warm-up, this opening stage set the tone for the entire week: demanding, authentic, and unforgiving—true to the spirit of The Rock Trophy. It was not only an opportunity for teams to showcase their readiness, but also a first taste of the intense off-road experience that awaits them in the days to come.
For this Prologue, both the Extreme and Challenger classes tackled the same course. The Legend class faced a slightly modified version of the track. It was complete with a selection of gates dedicated exclusively to them.
Top Three Teams of the Prologue – Class by Class
The Rock Trophy kicked off with an exciting Prologue that offered a first taste of the challenges to come. Despite the unpredictable weather and tough terrain, the teams delivered impressive performances across all classes.
In the Extreme class, Estonia’s Hardo Mere, navigated by Romania’s Marius Pop, set the fastest time of 2 minutes and 55 seconds. In second place came the French team Mauro Loic and Julien Laudet. The third spot went to Greece’s Vasilios Paradelis and Dimitris Galanakis.
In the Challenger class, the fastest of the day were the French Franck Daurelle and Francoise Hollender. They are a couple both in racing and in life. They achieved the best overall time of the Prologue with an impressive 2 minutes and 19 seconds. They were followed by the Czech duo Jegor Ivanov and Matei Rapak, and another French team, Thomas Gallet and Charly Pochez, in third.
In the iconic and charming Legend class, Denmark’s Per Bertelsen and Jesper Madsen claimed the top spot with a time of just 48 seconds. Estonian cross-country veteran Urvo Mannama took second place, while Latvia’s Vilnis Zitans and Raivis Aizups completed the podium in third.
Tomorrow, the competition enters its core phase with the first full stage — a true test for crews and vehicles alike.
What’s Coming Next at The Rock Trophy 2025
Monday, April 7 – Costești: Into the Wild
Extreme KM: 130 | Challenger KM: 159
The real battle begins as teams dive into the unforgiving landscapes of Costești. This is a region renowned for its brutal off-road conditions—perfect for those who crave the ultimate challenge.
This stage is a relentless test of skill, strategy, and endurance. Drivers and co-drivers will face punishing rocky river crossings, treacherous ravines, and unpredictable inclines. There, every split-second decision can mean the difference between advancing or enduring a grueling recovery. The Extreme Class will feel right at home in this punishing terrain, but only the most prepared and resilient will emerge victorious.
At the same time, the Legend class will tackle a dedicated course in the area around Geoagiu-Bai.
