Manuel Lettenbichler wins Xross Hard Enduro in Serbia
Manuel Lettenbichler of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team has started perfectly with a victory in the first round of the Xross Hard Enduro Rally. The KTM rider, who has had four solid days of competition in the Serbian hills, ultimately took victory with a lead of 33 minutes.
The Xross Hard Enduro Rally, the first event of this year's seven-round FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, started with a short Endurocross-style prologue on the streets of Zlatibor. This was followed by three full days of challenging racing in the region's beautiful mountains, with each of the three stages covering 100 kilometers.
After his fourth place in the prologue, Manuel Lettenbichler made it clear on the first Offroad day that he had mastered the wet and demanding conditions. On day two, Mani came in second, just five seconds behind Billy Bolt, extending the German's lead to 25 minutes.
Day three started with beautiful weather, and once again Lettenbichler showed the skill and speed that took him to the 2022 title with another day victory. With a further two minutes and 37 seconds ahead of the timesheets, he secured the victory and his place at the top of the FIM Hard Enduro rankings.
Manuel Lettenbichler: “Today was a great day for me. I'm pretty excited! I'm a little overwhelmed, but it's great to start my championship so strong. I'm super happy with my riding over the weekend – it was consistent and I really enjoyed it. It is of course the best start I can make in the series this year, but it is only the first race. We still have a long season ahead of us and I'm taking it all race by race, because anything can happen in Hard Enduro, as we often see.”
The next competition is from June 8 to 11 in Austria and that can only be the famous Erzbergrodeo in Eisenerz.
Results – 2023 Xross Hard Enduro Rally
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, 9:49:28.60
2. Mario Roman (ESP), Sherco, 10:22:38.10 +33:09.50
3. Teodor Kabakchiev (BUL), KTM, 10:29:04.12 +39:35.52
4. Trystan Hart (CAN), KTM, 10:33:04.42 +43:35.82
5. Michael Walkner (AUT), GASGAS, 10:36:49.98 +47:21.38
Standings FIM World Championship Hard Enduro
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, 20 points
2. Mario Roman (ESP), Sherco, 17 pts
3. Teodor Kabakchiev (BUL), KTM, 15 pts
4. Trystan Hart (CAN), KTM, 14 pts
5. Michael Walkner (AUT), GASGAS, 11 pts
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