The second day of racing at the final round of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship at 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro saw Canada’s Trystan Hart take the win. The FMF KTM Factory Racing rider made short work of the Campoo Xtreme Race to top the classification.
- Trystan Hart wins on day two at the 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro
- Manuel Lettenbichler and Sonny Goggia complete the top three
- Troubled day for Mario Roman sees him finish 18th
- FIM decide on appeal regarding round five’s final results
After the excitement of Friday evening’s SuperEncierro in Aguliar de Campoo, racing continued with day two’s Campoo Xtreme Race at the 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro, round eight of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship.
Lettenbichler leads them home
Winner of the SuperEncierro, AG Racing Team 89’s Alfredo Gomez took up the pole position ahead of what would be two tough 40-kilometre laps around the town’s lake. As riders got underway, Gomez shot into the lead, but was quickly followed by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler, FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Trystan Hart, and the rest of the Pro class field.
Eager to get out of the dust, Lettenbichler put a move on Gomez and took over the race lead early on. From there, he pushed hard to open a gap, pulling nearly 10 minutes clear to arrive home first at the end of the two-lap race. However, he was later docked one position for a speeding penalty. With the start order for tomorrow’s ACERBIS Lost Roads based on the overall scores from Friday and Saturday’s racing, Lettenbichler has still done enough to earn himself the first starting position.
Behind him, Canada’s Trystan Hart was riding well in his debut 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro. Adapting fast to the Spanish terrain, Hart led home Gomez by less than 30 seconds for the runner-up position. But on amended results, he was later bumped up to first.
Italy’s Sonny Goggia (GASGAS) enjoyed a strong ride to take third overall on corrected time. Jarvis Racing Team’s Graham Jarvis also avoiding a speeding penalty for fourth. GASGAS’ Michael Walkner competed the top five, with Gomez dropping to sixth in the final results.
Roman hits trouble on day two
For title contender Mario Roman, his day didn’t go so smoothly. The Sherco Factory Racing rider was looking fast in the early part of lap one, but suffered a mechanical issue on a signature section. Needing help from his teammate Wade Young to get going again, he slipped outside the top 10. Recouping some positions before end of lap one service he seemed to be back on track.
However a second mechanical on lap two saw him finish an eventual 18th. With the outcome of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship on the line in tomorrow’s ACERBIS Lost Roads, Mario will be hoping all his bad luck is now firmly behind him.
Championship set for ACERBIS Lost Roads showdown
The 2022 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship concludes with the tomorrow’s final day of racing at the 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro. A multi-lap Hard Enduro race, it promises to put the top 50 riders (40 Knights class, 5 Archers class, and 5 Squires class) through their paces with its rocky climbs, giant rock steps and steep forestry descents.
After two hours and thirty minutes on the ACERBIS Lost Roads course, competitors are faced with the final sting – the Hixpania Hill. The first rider to the top will be declared winner of round eight, and potentially World Champion!
FIM decide on round five appeal
In advance of tomorrow’s championship showdown between title contenders Manuel Lettenbichler and Mario Roman, the FIM has made a final decision on the results appeal from round five.
The FIM Hard Enduro World Championship has been informed by Mr. John Collins, FIM CEN Director, that the appeal against the final results from round five of the championship – Red Bull Romaniacs – has been adjudicated by the FIM.
Therefore the current standings of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship stay valid without any changes.
Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM): “That was a good race. I got into fourth and then pushed hard to hit the front. I knew the trail would be dusty, so I was keen to try and lead as soon as I could. On lap two I had pulled a decent gap over the guys behind me, so I just tried to keep it all together and bring it home safe. I’m excited for tomorrow, it’s all to play for!”
Trystan Hart (KTM): “It was up and down out there. The course wasn’t easy, with fast trails and tough sections. I really liked it a lot though and keen to end my race on a high tomorrow.”
Mario Roman (Sherco): “I was running in second during the first half of lap one, but then my bike stopped. I lost a lot of positions. With the help of Wade (Young) I got going again and made up a couple of places on lap one. After service I carried some spare parts on lap two but unfortunately had some bike issues again. It’s put me back a lot, but I will give it everything I have tomorrow!”
Results: Round 8 – 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro
Saturday: Campoo Xtreme Race
1. Trystan Hart (KTM) 2:44:22.263; 2. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 2:34:658; 3. Sonny Goggia (KTM) 2:47:35.748; 4. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 2:51:03.302; 5. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 2:51:07.984; 6. Alfredo Gomez (GASGAS) 2:44:56.132; 7. Dominik Olszowy (GASGAS) 2:50:12.081; 8. David Cyprian (KTM) 2:52:53.542; 9. Matthew Green (KTM) 2:51:42.320; 10. Taddy Blazusiak (GASGAS) 2:53:32.712…
*Results amended to include speeding penalty positions
ACERBIS Lost Roads Start Positions
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM)
2. Trystan Hart (KTM)
3. Alfredo Gomez (GASGAS)
4. Sonny Goggia (KTM)
5. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna)
6. Taddy Blazusiak (GASGAS)
7. Matthew Green (KTM)
8. Dominik Olszowy (GASGAS)
9. Mario Roman (Sherco)
10. David Cyprian (GASGAS)
Provisional Championship Standings (After round 7)
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 107pts
2. Mario Roman (Sherco) 103pts
3. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 82pts
4. Teodor Kabakchiev (KTM) 72pts
5. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 62pts
6. Alfredo Gomez (GASGAS) 57pts
7. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 57pts
8. David Cyprian (KTM) 57pts
9. Trystan Hart (KTM) 50pts
10. Wade Young (Sherco) 46pts
Provisional Junior World Cup Standings (After round 3)
1. Matthew Green (KTM) 60pts
2. Mitchell Brightmore (Rieju) 49pts
3. Suff Sella (KTM) 47pts
4. Kacper Dudzic (GASGS) 34pts
5. Robert Crayston (KTM) 24pts
6. Marc Fernandez (GASGAS) 23pts
7. Thomas Hecher (GASGAS) 19pts
8. Lenny Geretzky (KTM) 17pts
9. Ali Al Hiasat (KTM) 15pts
