Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler won round five of the 2025 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, taking the challenging Sea to Sky in Kemer, Turkiye, October 9-11. Lettenbichler was strong throughout all three days of racing, as the defending World Champion secured the overall victory for the second consecutive year aboard his KTM 300 EXC, further strengthening his lead in the championship standings.
Photos by Future7Media
The race kicked off with Thursday’s Beach Race on the shores of the Mediterranean, where Lettenbichler immediately set the tone by topping the qualifying session. In the evening’s six-lap Grand Final, the German rider fought hard to secure third place, behind winner Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) and Mitch Brightmore (GasGas), finishing just four seconds shy of second.
Bolt took the win despite feeling ill and did not participate in the after-race celebrations.
Friday’s Forest Race saw “Mani” at his best as he tackled the 28-mile course made up of fast single trails, steep climbs, and technical canyon sections. Setting a blistering pace from the outset, he dominated the day. Completing the race one minute and 12 seconds faster than his nearest rival, Wade Young, who was followed across the finish line by Brightmore. Bolt, still feeling ill, was fourth.
Lettenbichler moved into the overall lead heading into Saturday’s decisive Mountain Race.
The final day’s Mountain Race was the highlight of the weekend, with riders facing the grueling climb from the beach to the nearly 8000-foot summit of Mount Olympos. Making full use of his first-pick start position, Lettenbichler launched into the lead early on and built a strong rhythm on the demanding course. Maintaining his focus throughout, he crossed the finish line first to take the day’s win over Mario Roman (Sherco), Brightmore, Young and Graham Jarvis (KTM). Bolt toughed it out for 11th.
Lettenbichler was also the event’s overall winner.
“I felt good this weekend,” Lettenbichler said Saturday. “The last two races, I struggled with some health issues where I wasn’t feeling 100 percent, so to come here stronger was all I wanted. I had a good start position thanks to my Forest Race win yesterday, and I got the holeshot this morning, which was pretty important, so I managed to pull a gap straight away without pushing too crazy. I got into a good flow early on and focused on saving my tire and kept building on my lead every checkpoint. I was really stoked to see the finish flag first and take the win today!”
With two rounds to go in the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, Lettenbichler leads Bolt, 143-108. Brightmore is one point back in third.CN
2025 FIM Hard Enduro Round 5 Results
OVERALL (Top 5)
- Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 3:49:24.25
- Mario Roman (Sher) +5:47
- Mitch Brightmore (GG) +13:17
- Wade Young (GG) +31:09
- Graham Jarvis (KTM) +33:56
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