The sixth and final round of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship at Germany’s 24MX GetzenRodeo got underway in style, with thousands of spectators lining the course to watch Friday’s racing unfold.
Report and Images courtesy of FIM Hard Enduro
Much to the delight of his home crowd, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler won the Red Bull Double Trouble from GASGAS’ Michael Walkner. Completing the podium with third overall was TTR Squadra Corse’s Mitch Brightmore. Mitch also topped the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM category.
- FIM Hard Enduro finale gets underway at 24MX GetzenRodeo
- Manuel Lettenbichler takes victory in Red Bull Double Trouble prologue
- Mitch Brightmore places as best Junior rider
A busy day’s schedule saw competitors begin with a morning practice, before contesting the Timed Hard Enduro loop to qualify for one of the 16 places available for the evening’s Red Bull Double Trouble prologue.
Home hero Manuel Lettenbichler led the way in qualification. He topped the timesheets over young Junior rider Ashton Brightmore (GASGAS), with Austria’s Dieter Rudolf (GASGAS) third.
Under floodlights, the fastest 16 qualifiers gathered for the evening’s main event, the Red Bull Double Trouble prologue. Going head-to-head on a short, but intensely exciting course, the riders wowed the thousands of spectators gathered.
Battling their way through the series of heats, it was Lettenbichler and Walkner who disposed of their rivals to reach the finals. With it all to play for, Manuel didn’t let the home crowd down and blitzed the course to take the win over Walkner. Brightmore beat Rudolf in the Semi-Final to complete the evening’s prologue.
Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM): “That was a great start to the weekend. The crowd was wild, the racing was brilliant, and I had a cool time. Michael was pushing hard in the final, but I just managed to hold on for the win. I’m stoked by that and can’t wait for tomorrow. It will be epic!”
Results: Round 6, 24MX GetzenRodeo Prologue
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM)
2. Michael Walkner (GASGAS)
3. Mitch Brightmore (GASGAS)
4. Dieter Rudolf (GASGAS)
5. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna)
6. Mario Roman (Sherco)
7. Teodor Kabakchiev (KTM)
8. Suff Sella (KTM)
9. Paul-Erik Huster (GASGAS)
10. Sonny Goggia (KTM)
Watch the 24MX GetzenChamp race live on Red Bull TV and iridehardenduro.com from 13.30CET, November 4.
