DIRT NEWS
THE LETTENBICHLER VICTORY TRAIN GETS OFF TO AN EARLY START
He was the man to beat in 2023 , and it is looking like 2024 will be no different for KTM ’ s Manuel Lettenbichler who kicked his Hard Enduro campaign into gear in dominant fashion . Lettenbichler started the 2024 FIM Hard Enduro Championship ( HEWC ) off in the same way he raced the 2023 season , with utter dominance at the Valleys Hard Enduro in the UK . Following on from his perfect 2023 season , Lettenbichler lead from start to finish during the three-lap event to claim a well-deserved victory at round one of the 2024 season in Wales . Marking the first stop in the seven-round series , the Valleys Hard Enduro is a completely new event , held over three days of racing . Getting the action underway on Friday , a short SuperEndurostyle track in the Walters Arena gave riders their first taste of the Welsh terrain . Despite huge pressure from the chasing Jonny Walker and Alfredo Gomez , Mani held his nerve – taking the win and throwing down the gauntlet to his rivals .
For Saturday ’ s prologue race , riders faced a 10-kilometre course , the results of which would decide the start order for Sunday ’ s main event . Maintaining his form from Friday , Lettenbichler made the technically demanding course look easy . Setting the pace and delivering the fastest time on his first lap , he went one minute faster on lap two to secure pole position for Sunday . With more dry and hot weather on day three in Wales , the Valleys Hard Enduro was set to be a tough one . Three laps of a 16-kilometer course faced competitors with a winner-takesall format – first to cross the line would be crowned Valley Hard Enduro Champion and earn themselves maximum FIM Hard Enduro points . Once again it was Lettenbichler ’ s race . After making a strong start , the KTM 300 EXC rider pushed hard on lap one to build an advantage over the chasing pack . Maintaining that pace on lap two , the young German was able to control the race from the front , despite a challenge
KIWI RIDER 17