MANUEL LETTENBICHLER WINS THE RED BULL ERZBERGRODEO 2024

The Red Bull Erzbergrodeo is the most iconic race on the HEWC calendar, and this twenty-eighth edition certainly had no shortage of excitement and spectacle. The two-day prologue set the starting order for the grand finale on Sunday: the grueling 35 kilometer long climb around the Iron Giant, between legendary sections such as Carl’s Dinner, Machine, Dynamite and with only 4 hours to complete the route. The 2024 edition saw new sections and major changes to the order of checkpoints, and drivers were not allowed to view the route on foot before the race.

The two days of qualifying skimmed the 1,300 brave people who challenged the Iron Giant. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Josep Garcia won comfortably, by more than 30 seconds. Mani Lettenbichler on his KTM 300 EXC was fifth fastest, and the Iron Road prologue also saw Trystan Hart secure his place on the front row for Sunday’s race with ninth fastest time.

The fastest 500 riders lined up for Sunday’s final, with Lettenbichler and Hart well placed on the front row. Mani got off to a good start straight away, exiting the quarry with the leaders of the group. He immediately went on the attack with his head down and elbows high, taking the lead before the first checkpoint. Undaunted on the difficult course, the German ace gave riding lessons and built an impressive 20-minute lead as he negotiated some of the toughest sections of the extreme enduro. By choosing the best trajectories, Mani was able to conserve energy and maintain speed until the end of the race, crossing the finish line more than an hour before the time limit.

His teammate Trystan Hart also had an incredible day on the Iron Giant, finishing 20 minutes after Mani as second overall. Although he crashed at the first corner, Trystan was able to move up the pack of riders, arriving in second position at checkpoint 9.

Mani’s win extends his unbeaten run in the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship to 10 races, as well as being his third consecutive win at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, making him one of only two riders to have achieved this. The German increases his lead at the top of the HEWC championship to 13 points after the second round. The 2024 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship now continues with the third round in Serbia at the Xross Hard Enduro Rally on June 19-22.

Manuel Lettenbichler: “It was a crazy race, I’m very happy to have overcome those difficult sections. It’s also incredible to have achieved the tenth victory in a row and the third Erzberg in a row. It’s an indescribable feeling, today was my day and I’m almost surprised at how confident I felt on the new sections, however slippery and difficult they were: I just tried to use my head and choose the best trajectories to maintain speed. I’m obviously excited for the rest of the championship, and I want to extend my winning streak.”

Trystan Hart: “I’m happy to have finished second and on the podium again! It’s a shame about the problem at the first corner which put me out of action at the start of the race: for the first 30 minutes I felt like I was in a war zone. But it was still fun, and by the time I got to Carl’s Dinner, I was fine and managed to move into second. There were some really difficult passages, but I gave it my all and held my position. This is my third consecutive podium at the Erzberg, now I feel at home here. Next year I aim to fight for the victory!”

The Red Bull Erzbergrodeo is the most iconic race on the HEWC calendar, and the 28th edition of the Austrian hard enduro provided no shortage of excitement and entertainment. A prologue held over two days sets the starting order for Sunday’s main event: a grueling 35-kilometer race around the Iron Giant featuring legendary sections such as Carl’s Dinner, Machine and Dynamite, which riders have just four hours to complete. The 2024 edition saw many curveballs thrown at competitors, from new sections and significant changes to the order of the checkpoints. Riders were also not allowed to walk the track prior to racing.

A two-day qualification process on Friday and Saturday faced the 1300 riders brave enough to take on the Iron Giant. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia topped the time sheets by over 30 seconds to win comfortably. Mani Lettenbichler set the fifth-fastest overall time on his KTM 300 EXC. The Iron Road Prologue also saw Trystan Hart ensure his spot on the front row for Sunday’s Main Race, qualifying ninth overall.

The 500 fastest riders lined up for Sunday’s Main Race, with both Lettenbichler and Hart comfortably positioned on the front row. Mani had a strong start, emerging from the quarry near the front of the pack. He immediately put his head down and got his elbows out, storming into the lead just meters before the first checkpoint. Unfazed by the tough course, the German put on an Erzbergrodeo masterclass to build up an impressive 20-minute lead as he took on some of the most difficult sections in hard enduro. Choosing his lines tactically, Mani preserved his energy and maintained his speed until the very end of the race, where he crossed the finish line with over an hour to spare.

Teammate Trystan Hart also had an incredible day at the Iron Giant, finishing 20 minutes behind Mani as the runner-up. Despite getting caught in a small crash in the first corner at the start of the race, Trystan demonstrated his skill and experience as he worked his way through the pack to move up to second place by the time he reached checkpoint nine.

Mani’s victory increases his win streak to 10 in the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, as well as marking his third victory in a row at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, making him one of only two people to ever achieve the incredible feat. The German extends his lead in the HEWC standings to 13 points after two rounds. The 2024 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship continues with round three in Serbia for the Xross Hard Enduro Rally on June 19-22.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________