Round four of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship will see the series race the Red Bull Outliers at Calgary in Canada on August 26/27. A two-day event, the Red Bull Outliers is set to feature an urban prologue in Calgary before heading into the vast Badlands desert for a multi-lap Hard Enduro battle.
- Full steam ahead to Canada for round four
- Manuel Lettenbichler leads the way with three wins from three starts
- Two-day format mixes urban racing with mass-start Hard Enduro
Calgary ready for Hard Enduro excitement
Red Bull Outliers is known for its challenging course and unique format, combining elements of desert racing and Hard Enduro to create a truly stand-out event. The event features an urban prologue race in Calgary city on the first day, which determines the starting positions for the main race on the second day.
The track for the Red Bull Outliers main event on the second day is around 10 miles long and includes a range of technical challenges such as steep hills, rock gardens, and water crossings. The main race is a multi-lap event, with riders completing several laps of the course. The route also features high-speed sections through open desert terrain, adding a unique element to the race.
With three wins from three starts it’s Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler who leads the charge. The German has proved impossible to touch so far this year and will be gunning to make it a fourth win in Canada. Winner of the race in 2022, Lettenbichler naturally has his sights set on scooping victory again but faces a whole host of talent who are eager to knock him off his stride.
Can Hart deliver a home win?
At the top of the contenders list is home favourite Trystan Hart. The Canadian is having an incredibly strong season to date with FMF KTM Factory Racing. He currently holds down second overall in the championship thanks to two podium results. Hart gave Lettenbichler a hard time for victory at Red Bull Outliers last year and will look to make amends this weekend.
Just two points behind Hart is Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt in third overall. Although missing the race in 2022 due to injury, the format and style of race could play into the Brit’s hands. Billy always excels at an urban prologue and should show strong pace in Sunday’s multi-lap Hard Enduro too.
Kabakchiev pushing for more podium results
Fresh off his podium result at Red Bull Romaniacs, ECONT Bulgaria’s Teodor Kabakchiev will arrive in Canada hungry for more success. Proving himself a podium contender in the multi-day Hard Enduro Rallye races, Teodor will want to show that he’s a rider to watch for in the shorter, sprint format events too.
Completing the top five in the championship standings is GASGAS’ Michael Walkner. The Austrian faces strong competition from Jarvis Magpul Racing’s Graham Jarvis in sixth, with Sherco Factory Racing’s duo of Wade Young and Mario Roman in seventh and eighth. Roman shadowed both Lettenbichler and Hart across the Red Bull Outlier’s finish line in 2022 and will be a rider to watch for.
The North American stop will see some fresh names added to the line-up too. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna), Jonny Walker (Beta), and Ryder LeBlond (Husqvarna) will all be in attendance and eager to shake things up.
Red Bull Outliers begins on Saturday August 26 with the Calgary prologue at the Olympic Plaza. Sunday’s racing at the iconic Badlands in Steveville will be a busy one with three races. The two-hour amateur event kicks things off in the morning, followed by a two-hour Expert race, before the two-hour 30-minute Pro main event determines the winner of round four
