The FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM is shaping up to be a showstopper at the sixth and final round of the HEWC season at 24MX Getzenrodeo next month. After a breakthrough victory at last weekend’s 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro, TTR Squadra Corse’s Mitch Brightmore now heads the standings by one point over Rigo Racing’s Matthew Green.
Coming good at a pivotal moment in the season, Mitch Brightmore broke through to claim his first victory of the season in Spain. Factoring in the additional three points earned for topping the prologue, and the GASGAS rider is now the rider to beat.
Placing as the second junior at both Xross and Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, the 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro played to Brightmore’s strengths and trials background. Tough and technical, it was just how he likes his Hard Enduro.
“Hixpania went amazingly well,” tells Mitch Brightmore. “I felt going there that I could do well. But I wasn’t quite expecting to finish seventh overall and also win the Junior category. That was great.
“I got off to a good start on Friday with the street race. I enjoy superenduro and it set me into a good rhythm for the rest of the race.
“Saturday was super dusty, but I plugged away. I made time on the technical parts and rode smart on the high-speed stuff and finished well enough to get a start position in the cave for Sunday’s main event.
Junior Championship Standings (After round 3)
1. Mitch Brightmore (GASGAS) 60pts
2. Matthew Green (KTM) 59pts
3. Richard Moorhouse (GASGAS) 35pts
4. Marc Fernandez (KTM) 32pts
5. Felix Bähker (Sherco) 31pts
Using the world’s best Hard Enduro riders as a tow, Mitch Brightmore put in a stellar ride. Completing eight laps for a massively impressive seventh overall, it most importantly gave him the win in Juniors.
With three weeks to go until the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM comes to a close at the 24MX Getzenrodeo, the TTR Squadra Corse rider is fired up to bring a world title home.
“It’s going to be a close battle for the title in Germany,” says Mitch Brightmore. “With only one point between Matt and myself, it’s all or nothing really. All I can do is give it full gas to the end and hope I come good!” (source: fim hard enduro world championship)
INTERVIEW: Mitch Brightmore Is Ready For The Year Ahead (February 2024)
STORY: Manuel Lettenbichler Wins 2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship (October 2023)
photos (c) Red Bull Content Pool