The penultimate round of the 2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship saw Manuel Lettenbichler of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing crowned world champion thanks to a victorious race at the 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro. In what was his fifth consecutive win this season, Lettenbichler successfully defended his FIM Hard Enduro world title in Aguilar de Campoo, Spain.
Mario Roman of Sherco Factory Racing put in a strong race to finish second, while Billy Bolt of Husqvarna Factory Racing completed the podium in third. Mitch Brightmore of TTR Squadra Corse won the FIM Junior Hard Enduro World Championship supported by the KLIM category.
Lettenbichler achieves fifth consecutive victory in 2023
As the riders started the ACERBIS Lost Roads race this Sunday, Billy Bolt – the pole sitter – made the most of his starting position to claim an early advantage over Sherco Factory Racing’s Wade Young. Lettenbichler was next to start, with GASGAS’ Michael Walkner in tow. From fifth place, Roman quickly began to catch up to the leaders.
Putting aside the nerves for the title, Lettenbichler made a strong start, overtaking Bolt and Young to take the lead of the race. Roman was feeling confident and managed to move into second place as they began the second lap. Bolt remained in third, with Alfredo Gomez and Rieju’s Young following closely in fourth and fifth.
As the race progressed, Lettenbichler began to gain an advantage. There was a battle going on between Roman and Bolt. Roman finally managed to push Bolt into third place and, as a result, the title outcome was now balanced in favor of Lettenbichler.
After two hours and 30 minutes of a very tough race, the riders entered the final series of steep climbs. With a seven-minute lead over Roman, Lettenbichler scaled the quarry walls easily to win his fifth consecutive HEWC race of the year and become the 2023 Hard Enduro World Champion.
By gaining a gap over Bolt, Roman kept everything under control and crossed the finish line in second place, while Bolt completed the podium in third. Finishing just 40 seconds behind Bolt, Young brought his Sherco home in fourth. Crossing the finish line only 28 seconds behind Young, Trystan Hart of FMF KTM Factory Racing rounded out the top five.
Brightmore takes the lead in Junior points
In the FIM Junior Hard Enduro World Championship supported by KLIM, it was Mitch Brightmore of TTR Squadra Corse who claimed victory. The British rider was having a great race as he mixed it up with the top professional riders. By completing nine laps to finish seventh overall, Brightmore stepped onto the junior podium.
Behind him, it was a 1-2 for TTR Squadra Corse, with Mitch’s younger brother, Aston, putting on an excellent race and clinching second place in eight laps, also finishing 10th overall. Matthew Green from Rigo Racing completed the junior podium in third. In the standings, Mitch Brightmore now leads the Junior category by one point, heading into the final round of the 24MX Getzenrodeo in November.
Final results of the fifth round – 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro
ACERBIS Lost Roads
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 11 laps, 2:53:00.378s
2. Mario Roman (Sherco) 11 laps, 2:59:20.688s
3. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 11 laps, 3:01:52.138s
4. Wade Young (Sherco) 11 laps, 3:02:32.933s
5. Trystan Hart (KTM) 11 laps, 3:03:01.418s
6. Alfredo Gomez (Rieju) 11 laps, 3:11:29.692s
7. Mitch Brightmore (GASGAS) 9 laps, 2:45:12.033s
8. Teodor Kabakchiev (KTM) 8 laps, 2:32:15.875s
9. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 8 laps, 2:32:28.044s
10. Aston Brightmore (GASGAS) 8 laps, 2:39:16.028s
World Championship Standings (After the fifth round)
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 107 points
2. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 81
3. Trystan Hart (KTM) 73
4. Teodor Kabakchiev (KTM) 57
5. Mario Roman (Sherco) 56
Junior World Championship Standings (After the third round)
1. Mitch Brightmore (GASGAS) 60 points
2. Matthew Green (KTM) 59
3. Richard Moorhouse (GASGAS) 35
4. Marc Fernandez (KTM) 32
5. Felix Bahker (Sherco) 31
