2021 Hixpania Hard Enduro Results

Cycle News Staff | October 5, 2021

Spain’s Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) emerged the winner at round seven of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, claiming victory at the 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro, in Spain, October 1-3.

Photos by Future7Media/Red Bull Content Pool

Making it a Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing 1-2, teammate Billy Bolt took second to extend his championship lead over Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler, who completed the podium with third.

Always a danger man on home soil, Gomez came on form at just the right moment to secure a memorable win in the deciding The Lost Way race. With Bolt topping the proceedings on Friday and Saturday, many thought the British rider would keep that momentum rolling through Sunday but hopes of a clean sweep failed to materialize.

With the 50 qualified riders facing a tough battle during the three-hour The Lost Way race, Gomez was up for the fight. Fast and clinical around the intense 3.1-mile course, Gomez barely put a wheel out of place as he found his flow on the technical rocky climbs and steep quarry walls.

**(L-R) Billy Bolt (runner-up), Gomez and Manuel Lettenbichler made up the 24MX Hixpania podium.**

Despite a late push from Bolt, Gomez had enough in hand entering the final extreme loop. Mastering the last climb, the Spaniard crossed the finish line as the winner.

“I’m so happy to take the win,” Gomez said. “It’s definitely been a tough race, but it feels so good to do it in front of the Spanish fans. I saved some energy for today, and it has certainly paid off. I took the lead on lap one and just felt good straight away. I managed to focus on myself and not make too many mistakes.”

For Bolt, The Lost Way was filled with ups and downs. Although making good on the Le Mans start, he failed to hit the rhythm he’d shown during the previous two days. Working his way up the leaderboard, he began to come on strong as the race entered the second half. But with Gomez comfortably out front, it was a gap he couldn’t close. However, in the fight for this year’s championship honors, in finishing as runner-up, Bolt extended his lead over closest rival Lettenbichler, by two points.

Sitting second behind Gomez after the opening lap, Lettenbichler was in a strong position to take back the championship lead. However, Bolt was closing in and soon the duo was locked in a battle for second. Not quite able to keep Bolt at bay, Lettenbichler slipped behind him, and as Bolt upped his pace in the closing laps, he had to settled for third.

Behind the top three, the race was filled with plenty of drama as the overnight rain made an already tough course even harder. Sherco Factory Racing’s Mario Roman fought his way through for fourth.

Entering round seven third in points, Wade Young (Sherco) lost ground to Bolt and Lettenbichler with a fifth-place finish.

Putting in a strong performance, GasGas Factory Racing’s Michael Walkner was sixth, while Britain’s Jonathan Richardson (Husqvarna) impressed, coming home seventh.

The 2021 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship concludes with the eighth and final round of the season at Germany’s GetzenRodeo on October 30. CN