Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler has won the 2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship! Claiming a dominant victory at the Hixpania Hard Enduro in Spain, the KTM 300 EXC racer secured back-to-back world championship titles with one round to spare.

Provisional standings after 5 of 6 rounds
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, 107 points (World Champion)
2. Billy Bolt (GBR), Husqvarna, 81 pts
3. Trystan Hart (CAN), KTM, 73 pts
4. Teodor Kabakchiev (BUL), KTM, 57 pts
5. Mario Roman (ESP), Sherco, 56 pts

Unbeaten throughout the 2023 FIM Hard Enduro season so far, Lettenbichler made it five wins in a row with his victory at Hixpania to secure his second consecutive FIM Hard Enduro title. It’s been an incredible year for him – starting with a win at the Xross Hard Enduro in Serbia, the 25-year old went on to dominate at Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, Red Bull Romaniacs, and Red Bull Outliers.

Manuel Lettenbichler: “Here I am now, fifth race win in a row for this season and world champion. I had to push so hard today. I got a good start and was able to pass Billy almost straight away and from there I just focused and kept up a good rhythm. Honestly, the day could not have gone any better for me, the race was awesome. What can I say? I’m just speechless.”

With the event’s opening prologue at Hixpania running as a non-point paying show race only due to safety reasons, qualifying was then carried over to Saturday’s Campoo X-Treme race – a 40-kilometer cross-country that circled the town’s reservoir. Manuel Lettenbichler got off to a great start to take an early lead, but was caught and passed by closest championship rival, Billy Bolt. Ultimately settling for third place, Lettenbichler secured one championship point and a strong start position for Sunday’s Hixpania Hard Enduro ‘Lost Roads’ main race.

Starting in a cave, Sunday’s main race promised to be even tougher than expected due do the recent rain and fog. Lettenbichler emerged in second place and immediately set about chasing down the early leader. As the course led the riders into the hills, Lettenbichler moved to the front and didn’t look back. From there, the KTM 300 EXC rider delivered a masterclass in hard enduro riding, steadily increasing his advantage over the rest of the field and commanding the race from the front. Battling his way up the final climb towards the checkered flag, Manuel Lettenbichler secured the Hixpania Hard Enduro win and with it, the 2023 FIM Hard Enduro crown. (source: ktm)

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