Cycle News Staff | October 20, 2023
Manuel Lettenbichler clinched the 2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship after winning for the fifth consecutive time this year. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider’s latest win came at the 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro in Aguilar de Campoo, Spain, October 13-15. The defending champ sealed the deal with one round still left on the 2023 schedule.
KTM’s Manuel Lettenbichler successfully defended his number-one plate in the 2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship after winning the 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro in Spain. Photos: Future7Media
The weekend’s activities began Friday but poor weather canceled the Superencierro prologue race that was supposed to determine starting positions for Saturday’s Campoo Xtreme cross-country race. However, the riders were allowed to compete in the Superencierro at each rider’s own discretion and their results would not be factored into the weekend’s racing. Husqvarna’s Billy Bolt, Lettenbichler and Rieju’s Alfredo Gomez made up the Superencierro podium.
Husqvarna’s Billy Bolt won the first day of the competition.
Saturday’s Campoo X-Treme race was used as the prologue points-paying race, and it was Bolt who came away with the win around the two-loop, 60-mile (total) race. Bolt passed Lettenbichler early in the first loop and never looked back.
Sherco’s Wade Young also got around Lettenbichler and tried to run down Bolt to no avail, taking the checkers approximately a minute and a half behind Bolt. Lettenbichler took third, and GasGas rider Michael Walkner and Sherco-mounted Mario Roman rounded out the top five.
Overall podium.
In Sunday’s final, Bolt took advantage of his good starting position and grabbed the early lead over Young and Lettenbichler, who blitzed the opening lap and caught and passed both Young and Bolt to take the lead.
With a seven-minute lead heading into the final series of hillclimbs, Lettenbichler scaled them all with ease to take the race and overall win and the 2023 FIM Hard Enduro World title for the second consecutive year.
Mario Roman took second.
Roman ended up taking second and Bolt third. Young was fourth, and Canadian Trystan Hart was fifth. With one round left to go, Lettenbichler has an uncatchable 26-point lead in the Championship. Bolt is second, just eight points ahead of Hart.
“There was a bit of pressure on myself to take the title here,” Lettenbichler said. “I was nervous coming into the day, but managed to settle into the race and ride like I know I can. Winning the title was in my head, but also winning my fifth race in a row was playing on my mind, so to get it done in this perfect way is just amazing. It’s been a heck of a year so far, even better than I could have expected, and I’m looking forward to my home race now in Germany. Finally, thank you so much to my team. They do an awesome job!”
Lettenbichler wrapped up the title with one round still left.
Roman finished out the weekend second overall. “I’m super stoked on how today went,” said Roman. “The crowd was unreal. They were cheering me on the whole time. I did my best to push Mani, but he’s riding so good right now. We were on the limit of the riding, especially in the final climbs, but we made it good in the end. I’m so happy with this podium result.”
Trystan Hart crossed fifth.
Bolt said, “Overall it was good. I didn’t quite have the pace to fight for the win today, but it was still a solid result for the Championship. It would have been nice to hold off Mani for another weekend, but he’s been having an incredible season. Congrats to him on this title!”
Update from October 20, 2023, Courtesy of Red Bull
Eva Täuber Takes Women’s Hard Enduro Performance Award Supported By GasGas At 24MX Hixpania 2023
Photo Courtesy of Red Bull Content Pool
Round five of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship–Spain’s 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro–saw Eva Täuber take home the Women’s Hard Enduro Performance Award supported by GASGAS.
One of the most significant moments in Eva’s career came at this year’s 24MX Hixpania. The event that is known for its intensity and challenging tracks, Eva took to the start for the very first time and, thanks to her stellar performance around the Campoo Extreme Loop, earned her spot at the SuperEncierro Prologue, in the heart of Aquiliar de Campoo.
Never expecting this opportunity, Eva knew that the Prologue, with its artificial obstacles and a large crowd of spectators, would be a significant challenge. Nevertheless, she embraced the challenge, tackled the demanding track, and successfully completed it. With a favourable starting position for the main race, she ultimately completed the 24MX Hixpania event with an impressive 12th place in her class. For this performance she was honoured with the Women’s Hard Enduro Performance Award Supported by GASGAS, presented by none other than her idol, Sandra Gomez.
“Sandra Gomez is my biggest idol, and receiving the trophy from her was an incredible experience,” admitted Eva. “My Hixpania experience has been incredible, I’ve loved every minute of it. The challenge of a race like this is huge, but for me to finish the event, and have such a great time riding, it’s been great.”
Sandra Gomez, a prominent figure in the Hard Enduro world, has served as an inspiration to Eva throughout her riding journey. Receiving the award from Sandra was not just an acknowledgment of her hard work and extra motivation for the future, but a realization of her dream to be seen and recognized in the world of Enduro.
Eva’s journey into the world of Hard Enduro began with a mere curiosity, a desire to explore the boundaries of her abilities on a motorcycle. As she delved deeper into the sport, she discovered a genuine passion that kept her coming back for more. With her skills and love for the sport growing, eventually it propelled her towards competition. The turning point arrived when she clinched the German Enduro Cup, igniting a fire within her to seek even greater challenges.
Eva’s journey is not just a personal pursuit – it is a testament to the limitless potential of women in Hard Enduro and motorsports. She sees Hard Enduro as an opportunity to prove that women can excel just as much as men in the demanding world of motorsports.
One of the most demanding races in Eva’s journey so far was the 2022 Enduro Panorama in Romania:
“My skill level was lower back then, it was my first multi-day international race, and it rained heavily on the first day. In the forest, you couldn’t even stand; everything was like slippery soap. Physically and mentally pushing through those conditions was really tough for me. The circumstances made it so challenging for me.”
Growing from the challenge, Eva participated in the 2023 German Hard Enduro Series. She leads the women’s class, showcasing her dominance and skill in this fiercely competitive arena. The HESG (German Hard Enduro Championship) presents a diverse range of races, from technical challenges to high-speed tracks, and Eva has been a consistent winner in most events.
In a male-dominated sport like Hard Enduro, Eva’s achievements are a powerful statement. She proves that women can not only participate but also excel on the toughest of terrains. Her goal is not just to win races but to break stereotypes and pave the way for more women to join the sport.
As for her future goals, Eva is determined to keep pushing the boundaries of her capabilities. She aspires to compete in all the races of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship by 2025. Her ultimate aim is to participate in as many international races as possible, with the dream of one day being as skilled as her idol, Sandra Gomez. She also hopes to train alongside Sandra, solidifying her status as a force to be reckoned with in the world of Hard Enduro.
The next round in the 2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship is the 24MX GetzenRodeo, scheduled for November 3-4.
2023 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro Results
OVERALL RESULTS
- Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM)
- Mario Roman (She)
- Billy Bolt (Hus)
- Wade Young (She)
- Trystan Hart (KTM)
- Alfredo Gomez (Rie)
- Mitch Brightmore (GG)
- Teodor Kabakchiev (KTM)
- Graham Jarvis (Hus)
- Aston Brightmore (GG)
