The 2024 Hispania Hard Enduro in Spain hosts the final round of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship this weekend – Red Bull KTM’s Mani Lettenbichler on verge of third consecutive world title.

If you haven’t got mani Lettenbichler down to a) win this weekend at the Hixpania Hard Enduro in Spain, and b) claim his third consecutive world title in the process then you’re brave at the very least.

Already two-times FIM Hard Enduro World Champion, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider has basically won every hard enduro he has entered for a couple of seasons now so who’s betting against him doing the same in Spain?

Well, an injury might put a stop to it. Lettenbichler sustained a wrist injury two weeks ago at the penultimate round in Turkey and it is the only hope Wade Young and Mario Roman – Mani’s only mathematical rivals for the title – have as they eye-up his 17-points lead and reflect on another season of simply not having an answer to the German.

New race format in Spain

The final round of the 2024 HEWC season in Aguilar de Campoo, Spain has featured in previous years and last hosted the final round of the championship in ‘22.

A revised format for the 2024 Hixpania condenses racing into two days beginning on Saturday with the Campoo X-Treme qualification races. Riders face a seven-kilometre hard enduro lap of the Campoo lake in a time trial format. The fastest of two lap times will count for qualifying points and decide start position for Sunday’s main race.

Cave dwellers

Saturday afternoon will see riders switch format to the “SuperEncierro” street race in the town which this year sees riders go head-to-head in a straight rhythm race.

It’ll have to go some to beat the spectacular straight rhythm at this year’s Tennessee Knockout...

It’s not clear from the series or event organisers but we guess this will only be for the main HEWC competitors who’ll compete through a series of heats, with the best two riders reaching the final. It is also not clear, but we guess this will not be for points or qualification, just a show for the fans.

Sunday’s “El Camino Perdido” is famous for its start in a cave and follows a multi-lap race format around a short four-kilometre course within two hours.

After two hours, the final Hixpania Hill opens, with only those on the same lap as the leader allowed to tackle the final infamous climb which Lettenbichler knows only too well.

Has Lettenbichler got it sewn-up?

This year’s FIM title is yet to be decided but with that 17-point lead and an unbelievable unbeaten record, Manuel Lettenbichler’s third consecutive world title looks a dead cert.

Inconsistencies in results from his chief rivals, and a failure to stop Lettenbichler taking a win in two years now (with the exception of one race he did not enter), make this weekend something of a formality.

A win in the qualification race could see Lettenbichler champion if his rivals fail to get in the top three, or failing that a Sunday cruise to finish will be enough for the German.

The excitement this weekend will be for the runners-up places with only four points separating Red Bull Leader Tread’s Wade Young plus Sherco Factory Racing’s Mario Roman and Teo Kabakchiev a further nine points behind after a disappointing Sea to Sky result.

The last guy to beat Lettenbichler in a HEWC round was Billy Bolt who returns this weekend for his second race of the season, no doubt hoping for an easier race than at Sea to Sky.

Fellow British riders Mitch and Ashton Brightmore are also in the equation for a podium with both excelling in these ‘sprint’ race formats – although both will concentrate on beating each other for the Junior world title (more on that below).

HEWC standings after round 6 of 7:

1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 112pts

2. Wade Young (GASGAS) 95pts

3. Mario Roman (Sherco) 91pts

4. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 82pts

5. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 66pts

6. Francesc Moret (Sherco) 56pts

7. Matthew Green (KTM) 54pts

8. Alfredo Gomez (Rieju) 41pts

9. David Cyprian (KTM) 36pts

10. Marc Riba (KTM) 31pts

Mitch Brightmore aiming for Junior crown

In the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship, supported by KLIM, TTR Squadra Corse teammates and Derbyshire’s Brightmore brothers the top of the standings. Mitch and Ashton are first and second in the standings but with four wins from rounds this season, Mitch is favourite to back up his ’23 title.

Ashton has a 15-point deficit to his older brother in the standings with Beta UK’s Richard Moorehouse third overall, 22 points behind.

FIM HEJWC after round 4 of 5:

1. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 88pts

2. Ashton Brightmore (Husqvarna) 73pts

3. Richard Moorhouse (Beta) 51pts

4. Robert Crayston (KTM) 43pts

5. James Moore (GASGAS) 41pts

6. Suff Sella (KTM) 40pts

7. Hugo Crozet (Beta) 35pts

8. Barnabas Csizmazia (Husqvarna) 26pts

9. Marc Fernandez (KTM) 25pts

10. Valentino Hutter (GASGAS) 24pts

The 2024 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship concludes with round seven at 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro in Aguilar de Campoo, Spain on October 26/27.

More information: www.hixpania.es

Photo Credit: Future7Media