LETTENBICHLER SWEEPS EXTREME XL LAGARES TO TAKE HARD ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD

Manuel Lettenbichler delivered a commanding performance at the second round of the 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, securing a clean sweep of victories at Extreme XL Lagares in Portugal. Representing Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, the German rider dominated all three days of the event, winning the Endurocode Stage on Friday, the Extreme Penafiel race on Saturday, and the main Extreme XL Lagares race on Sunday. His consistent excellence across the challenging and varied terrain earned him maximum points and reinforced his status as the rider to beat this season. Lettenbichler’s weekend began with a decisive win in the 60-kilometre Endurocode Stage, where he finished over three minutes ahead of his nearest competitor. He then extended his lead on Saturday by mastering the 120-kilometre Extreme Penafiel course with an impressive margin of more than eight minutes. The final day’s main race was a much tighter affair, featuring a fiercely contested two-hour-plus-one-lap format. Despite the pressure and close competition, Lettenbichler maintained his focus to narrowly edge out Mitch Brightmore by under eight seconds, sealing his dominant weekend. Reflecting on his performance, Lettenbichler expressed satisfaction with his consistency and composure throughout the event. He highlighted the importance of adapting to the tough and varied terrain and praised his ability to stay focused during the intense final race. His clean sweep not only brought him maximum points but also propelled him into the championship lead, putting him 15 points clear after two rounds. The victory marks a significant step in his pursuit of a fifth consecutive world title. Looking ahead, Lettenbichler will aim to maintain his momentum as the championship moves to the United States for the Silver Kings Hard Enduro from 18 to 20 June. Before that, he will defend his crown at the prestigious Red Bull Erzbergrodeo in Austria, scheduled for 4 to 7 June. With his current form and confidence, Lettenbichler remains the favourite to extend his dominance in the hard enduro scene this season.