Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler takes victory at round four of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship in Romania. The German leads home Sherco Factory Racing’s Teodor Kabakchiev and Mario Roman to secure the top step of the Red Bull Romaniacs podium and retake the overall championship lead.
- Victory for Manuel Lettenbichler at FIM HEWC round four
- Mitch Brightmore extends 2024 win streak to four in Junior class
- Lettenbichler regains control of FIM HEWC points lead
After four exciting and challenging days of racing at round four of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, Red Bull Romaniacs finally concluded with Offroad Day 4 in Romania. Although a shorter day than the previous two, the 100-kilometre course still provided plenty of action as weary competitors battled their way across the finish line in Gusterita.
LETTENBICHLER BACK TO HIS WINNING WAYS
Beginning Offroad Day 4 with an insurmountable lead of 40 minutes and 45 seconds, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler held a firm-but-virtual grasp of the winner’s trophy. Already a four-time winner of the event, the experienced KTM rider set about making it five.
With the Sherco Factory Racing pairing of Teodor Kabakchiev and Mario Roman locked in a battle for the runner-up result, Lettenbichler opted to shadow them home today. Finishing third on the day, he ultimately ended round four as the overall winner.
Despite missing round three due to injury, the defending world champion has clearly demonstrated this week that he remains the rider to beat in this year’s championship fight. Regaining control of the points lead, he now heads the standings entering round five at Red Bull TKO next month.
While Lettenbichler’s victory was almost a forgone conclusion starting Offroad Day 4, the fight for the remaining podium spots between Kabakchiev and Roman was anything but. Both riders had pushed themselves to the limit during each of the Offroad Days so far, and starting out this morning, only 45 seconds separated the duo.
The advantage was in Roman’s favour, but Kabakchiev was determined to overhaul it. With Roman starting out first on the road, Kabakchiev was the fourth rider to begin, eight minutes later. For the duration of the day, each rider attacked every signature section with total commitment.
In the end, the advantage turned in Kabakchiev’s favour. The Bulgarian won the day by three minutes over Roman and with it, secured a hard-fought runner-up result.
Despite giving it his all, and leaving nothing on the table, Roman couldn’t keep his teammate at bay. Ending the day in second, he had to be content with his place on the final step of winner’s podium.
For Red Bull Leader Tread’s Wade Young, Offroad Day 4 saw him deliver a solid and consistent ride with fourth. However, the South African was again unable to bridge the gap to the leading trio and finished just off the podium in fourth.
Signing his week off with fifth today, Michael Walkner (GASGAS) secured fifth overall. Getting stronger as the week progressed, another impressive performance saw Sonny Goggia (KTM) place sixth today, for seventh overall.
MITCH BRIGHTMORE DOMINATES JUNIOR CLASS
In what was his first ever full week of riding at Red Bull Romaniacs, TTR Squadra Corse’s Mitch Brightmore finished sixth overall to claim victory in the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM. The young Brit showed incredible maturity in some of the toughest Hard Enduro terrain and will undoubtedly become a podium contender in the very near future. His Junior class win sees him remain undefeated so far in 2024, with four victories from four starts.
Making it a Brightmore 1-2 in Romania, Ashton completed his week in 11th overall to finish as runner-up in Junior. Another rider making his debut ride in Red Bull Romaniacs, Ashton will look to build on this learning experience in the following races to come.
Crossing the finish line in 12th overall behind Ashton Brightmore, AG Racing’s Suff Sella completed the Junior class podium with third. Rigo Racing’s James Moore rounded out the top four in Junior with 13th overall.
SANDRA GOMEZ SECURES WOMEN’S HARD ENDURO PERFORMANCE AWARD
The Women’s Hard Enduro Performance Award supported by 24MX saw Zona Paddock’s Sandra Gomez claim the winner’s trophy. The Spaniard put in a heroic week to finish a brilliant 25th overall in the Silver class after 23 hours and 19 minutes of racing.
After what’s been a huge week in the Carpathian Mountains for round four, the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship now looks forward to round five in the United States at Red Bull TKO, August 22-25.
PROVISIONAL RESULTS: FIM HEWC ROUND FOUR, RED BULL ROMANIACS
Offroad Day 4
1. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 4:19:25
2. Mario Roman (Sherco) 4:22:25
3. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 4:27:33
4. Wade Young (GASGAS) 4:33:32
5. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 4:45:32
6. Sonny Goggia (KTM) 5:01:13
7. Matthew Green (KTM) 5:07:29
8. Alfredo Gomez (RIEJU) 5:11:47
9. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 5:16:00
10. Ashton Brightmore (Husqvarna) 5:19:19
Final Event Classification
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 23:22:21
2. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 23:55:43
3. Mario Roman (Sherco) 23:57:58
4. Wade Young (GASGAS) 24:30:08
5. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 24:48:47
6. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 27:26:49
7. Sonny Goggia (KTM) 28:57:17
8. Alfredo Gomez (RIEJU) 29:41:51
9. Matthew Green (KTM) 29:41:54
10. Francesc Moret (Sherco) 30:02:34
FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM
Final Classification
1. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 27:26:49
2. Ashton Brightmore (Husqvarna) 30:49:47
3. Suff Sella (KTM) 35:23:44
4. James Moore (KTM) 38:30:17
PROVISIONAL STANDINGS (AFTER ROUND FOUR)
FIM HEWC
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 67pts
2. Wade Young (GASGAS) 62pts
3. Mario Roman (Sherco) 62pts
4. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 57pts
5. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 50pts
FIM HEJC supported by KLIM
1. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 88pts
2. Ashton Brightmore (Husqvarna) 73pts
3. Richard Moorhouse (Beta) 51pts
4. Robert Crayston (KTM) 43pts
5. James Moore (GASGAS) 41pts
Words and Images by FIM HEWC
