Manuel Lettenbichler Reflects on His Fourth Consecutive Hard Enduro Title
KTM factory rider Manuel Lettenbichler has won the Hard Enduro World Championship for the fourth time in a row, and his fifth time overall. SPEEDWEEK.com spoke with the Red Bull ace from Kiefersfelden.
With one event left before the end of the season, Manuel Lettenbichler of Team Red Bull KTM is already uncatchable in the overall Hard Enduro World Championship standings. At his home race, the GetzenRodeo in Saxony, he secured his fourth consecutive title with victory.
Speaking to speedweek.com, Manual reflected on the win.
Mani, congratulations on winning the title again! How does it feel one day later?
My body is pretty tired, but of course, it feels really cool. I didn’t expect to win the World Championship title again this year, and certainly not in the penultimate race. To achieve it at my home race, where the atmosphere is always extremely good anyway, is obviously very cool. I feel very relieved and proud that everything worked out so well and that the season turned out so well.
You dominated both races in Saxony and finished almost 13 minutes ahead of Mario Roman in the GetzenChamp. How was that possible?
I guess I just rode better than the others. I won both holeshots, which means a lot at the GetzenRodeo. I rode so cleanly from the start that I was able to gain a minute per lap early in the race. I had very good grip and was riding smoothly — the good grip made a huge difference in the Getzenwald. If you go too aggressively, it doesn’t work. I felt very good the whole time, and that continued on the final day. You’re already on the road for two hours in the morning and then another hour and a half in the afternoon, which is not to be underestimated.
Was the route in Saxony significantly different from previous years?
It was similar, but a few elements were different. The X-Loop had also been redesigned, not too difficult, as it had been in previous years. You could ride the whole thing and didn’t have to help each other. In GetzenChamp, the course had become so worn out over time that there was only one line. But it was a good track, and the organizers did a great job.
The fans in Grießbach seem to be particularly motivating you. The route helps with that, doesn’t it?
Absolutely. For me, the GetzenRodeo is the ultimate model race. It will have to go in that direction in the future because it’s perfect for fans to watch. As a spectator, you can get everywhere quickly, and it’s extremely exciting throughout the entire race.
Was there no need for the drivers’ union WERA to take action there?
No, there wasn’t much to complain about; they made it very rider-friendly. The plan for the prologue was actually for the top four to have a race for the prize money, but the organizers and riders decided against it because it was already so late. Especially for this race, the organizers are very open to interacting with the riders, and that will continue to be very important in the future.
What are your expectations for the season-ending Roof of Africa in Lesotho?
I’m really excited about it. It’s a cool race, too.