Cycle News Staff | October 29, 2024
A third-place finish at the Hixpania Hard Enduro in Spain, October 26-27, was enough for Red Bull KTM’s Manuel “Mani” Lettenbichler to sew up the 2024 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship.
Manuel Lettenbichler wrapped up the 2024 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship at the final round in Spain.
Heading into the seventh and final round of the season with a 17-point advantage in the championship standings, Mani knew the title was well within reach, but he would still have to give it his all over the two days of competition. Kicking off the action in Spain, the qualification round saw the KTM 300 EXC racer place fourth in a solid start to the weekend.
Starting in the second row for Sunday’s main race, held in non-stop rain, Lettenbichler fought hard from the start and quickly climbed into second place. A costly midrace crash injured his ankle, causing him to slip back into third, but he battled to maintain his position for the remainder of the race. Despite being in pain, and after close to two and a half hours of intense hard-enduro action, the KTM rider crossed the line to secure his sixth podium finish of the year and, with it, his third 2024 Hard Enduro World title.
Manuel Lettenbichler
“I’m so stoked to have won the championship for the third time in a row,” he said. “And to get another podium is pretty cool after such a tough race. I had a massive crash in the middle of the race, which hurt, so I’m glad to have had such a strong finish anyway. It’s been an incredible season with plenty of ups and downs, but it has all paid off in the end!”
Husqvarna’s Billy Bolt ran away and won the race more than six minutes clear of runner-up Sherco’s Mario Roman. Wade Young (GasGas) was fourth and Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) was fifth.
Wade Young (pictured) was fourth at the Hixpania Hard Enduro and landed second in the Championship standings with 109 points over Mario Roman’s 108 points.
Billy Bolt
“I’m beyond words with this victory,” Bolt said. “To win here like this means so much to me. It’s been a tough year with injury and a long and difficult comeback to get to this point. All weekend I felt so good on the bike. Like my old self. Saturday went perfect, but Sunday was what it was really all about. I’ve lost out at this race in the past, so I knew how important the opening laps are here. I knew I had to stay in the fight in the early laps. I got tired in the middle of the race, but when the track started to clear out, I found my pace again and rode for the win.”
Billy Bolt dominated the Hixpania Hard Enduro.
In the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM, it was TTR Squadra Corse’s Mitch Brightmore in the driving seat of clinching the title. The young Brit, spurred on by his runner-up position in qualifying, was enjoying the wet and slippery terrain. Finishing sixth, he won the Junior category, and with it, was crowned the 2024 FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Champion.
Mitch Brightmore won the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship
Finishing four minutes behind Mitch, TTR Squadra Corse’s Ashton Brightmore took seventh overall, to ensure a Brightmore one-two in the final championship standings. Completing three laps, Robert Crayston (KTM) rounded out the top three.
Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna): “I’m super happy with my performance today. The wet and slippery conditions really suited me today. From my front row start with Billy I wanted to capitalise on that as best I could. I enjoyed the ride, just missed the chance to climb the final hill by a couple of seconds, but overall, I’m pleased. To go back-to-back with Junior titles and end the season fifth overall is incredible.”
Sherco’s Mario Roman (left) joined Lettenbichler and Bolt on the Hixpania podium.
Lettenbichler finished out the championship with 127 points to Young’s 109, which was just one point up on third-place finisher Roman.
Sherco’s Teodor Kabakchiev and Husqvarna’s Mitch Brightmore rounded out the top five in the championship. CN
OVERALL (Top 10)
- Billy Bolt (Hus) 2:08:55.93
- Mario Roman (She) 2:15:43.89
- Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 2:25:35.65
- Wade Young (GG) 2:35:51.34
- Graham Jarvis (Hus) 2:38:29.98
- Mitch Brightmore (Hus) 4 laps, 2:00:09.73
- Ashton Brightmore (Hus) 4 laps, 2:04:30.05
- Teodor Kabakchiev (She) 4 laps, 2:13:32.30
- Matthew Green (KTM) 4 laps, 2:17:29.24
- Marc Riba (KTM) 4 laps, 2:23:52.11
Championship Standings (Top 5, after round seven)
- Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 127pts
- Wade Young (GG) 109pts
- Mario Roman (Sher) 108pts
- Teodor Kabakchiev (Sheo) 91pts
- Mitch Brightmore (Hus) 79pts
