Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Manuel Lettenbichler won the 24MX GetzenRodeo event on Saturday to complete an historic perfect FIM Hard Enduro World Championship with six victories out of the six events on the 2023 calendar.
Photos Courtesy of Red Bull Content Pool /Future7Media
German Lettenbichler earned his maiden FIM Hard Enduro World Championship title in 2022 and he defended it successfully at the 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro in Spain heading into the 24MX GetzenRodeo where he hoped to complete the first-ever perfect FIM season.
He came out on top in the Friday prologue and Saturday morning GetzenRace leaving Sherco Factory Racing’s Mario Roman four minutes behind in second and Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt third.
Next up was the 80-minute-plus-one-lap GetzenChamp race in the woods with Lettenbichler, 2021 FIM champion Bolt and Roman, soon joined by GasGas’ Michael Walkner and Bulgarian rider Teo Kabakchiev.
The front runners had completed the mandatory Joker Loop at the halfway marker and, with 13 minutes to go, Briton Bolt overhauled Lettenbichler for the lead only to get stuck on a rocky climb which allowed the German to regain the lead and hold on for the win.
Bolt and Roman completed the podium, with Kabakchiev bringing his KTM home in fourth and Walkner ending fifth as Briton Mitch Brightmore edged out Rigo Racing’s Matthew Green for the FIM Junior title.
The 25-year-old Lettenbichler, who finished 31 points clear of Bolt in the 2023 overall standings, said, “It feels incredible to make the perfect season of wins here in Germany. It’s been a hard race, but this race is unbelievable. I really had to dig deep in the final. Billy was pushing hard and when he passed me, I thought I might not get him back. Somehow, I found a second wind and came back to win. I’m so happy as the 2023 World Champion with a perfect season too. It’s been an amazing year!”
Bolt said, “I gave it my best shot, but I just missed the win. After a tough morning, things were better for the final and I upped my riding. We were battling hard, and with about 20 minutes to go, I started to get onto Mani’s back wheel. I got into the lead but then missed a climb, and he got me back. It was a good fight, I enjoyed it!” CN
2023 FIM Hard Enduro Round 6 GetzenRodeo Results
FINAL
- Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 1:35:52.50
- Billy Bolt (Hus) 1:38:25.50 +2:33.00
- Mario Roman (She) 1:36:34.89 +1 lap
- Teodor Kabakchiev (KTM) 1:41:38.94 +1 lap
- Michael Walkner (GG) 1:51:23.60 +1 lap
Click here for all the latest Off-Road Racing news.
Click here to read the 2023 GetzenRodeo story in the Cycle News Digital Edition Magazine.
