Manuel Lettenbichler dominates Red Bull Romaniacs

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Manuel Lettenbichler dominates Red Bull Romaniacs

Romania Red Bull Team 2024

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Manuel Lettenbichler has won the 2024 Red Bull Romaniacs, round four of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship. After taking the lead on Offroad Day 1, the KTM 300 EXC rider maintained his significant advantage for the remainder of the event to take the overall win by over 33 minutes. The victory marks the German’s third win of the 2024 Hard Enduro season, after missing round three due to injury.

2024 Red Bull Romaniacs – Manuel Lettenbichler

Red Bull Romaniacs is considered the toughest off-road race in the world, and the 2024 edition proves it. Competitors face a grueling prologue in the city, followed by four days of grueling off-road racing in the mountains near their home town of Sibiu, totaling more than 23 hours of driving.

Kicking off his comeback with the prologue on Tuesday, Lettenbichler made a strong start to the race, but a small mistake on the opening straight saw the German chase down the pace. Having taken third place on the tight and technical SuperEnduro-style circuit, Mani was handed the unenviable task of leading the pack on Offroad Day 1 on Wednesday.

First on the track on the opening day, Mani put in a flawless performance of tough enduro racing. Over what many described as the toughest day in Red Bull Romaniacs history, the reigning Hard Enduro World Champion was fastest at nine of the 11 checkpoints to gain a lead of over 28 minutes at the finish.

Day 2 of Offroad marked the first half of a grueling marathon, with riders splitting up with their teams on Thursday and not reuniting until Friday afternoon. Mani battled for the lead all day, swapping places with rival Teodor Kabakchiev. Despite finishing second to the Bulgarian, Lettenbichler extended his overall lead to nearly 35 minutes.

On Offroad Day 3 on Friday, Mani continued to confidently control the race from the front – maintaining a good pace over Romania’s varied terrain while avoiding any unnecessary risks. Thanks to the German’s consistency and relentless pace, he finished the day in second place and will head into Offroad Day 4 with a comfortable lead of over 40 minutes.

On Saturday’s final day of racing, with just 100km to go, Mani secured his fifth career win at Red Bull Romaniacs. A solid third place on Offroad Day 4 was enough to ensure the German maintained his overall lead, eventually winning by 33 minutes and 22 seconds. Lettenbichler took the iconic final climb with confidence and took the top step of the Red Bull Romaniacs podium to reclaim the lead in the overall championship standings.

Round five of the 2024 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship will take place in the United States following the three-week Red Bull TKO summer break from August 22-25.

Manuel Lettenbichler

“It was great! I was pretty tired, I struggled a lot the last three days, but the last 20km before the finish, I felt better knowing I was close. You always find that last bit of energy to push towards the finish. The others rode extremely well all week, but I’m really excited about my riding and my fifth win in a row! It was definitely tough, but it was great to come back from injury and go straight to the podium. We have a little time to build up our fitness and then we’ll be back for the TKO. I’m really looking forward to it“ .