Hard enduro: Lettenbichler world champion, fifth title in a row

Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) is 2026 hard enduro world champion. The German took his sixth world title, and his fifth in a row, at Hixpania in Aguilar de Campoo, Spain, the eighth and final round of the season. The title was already secured on Friday, before the last two days of racing.

A title sealed in the prologue

According to Speedweek, Lettenbichler arrived in Spain with a 32-point lead over Mitch Brightmore (GASGAS). Only 30 points were left to win over the weekend, 10 for the sprint and 20 for the main race, so his fifth place in Friday's SuperEncierro prologue was enough. The prologue was won by Billy Bolt (Husqvarna), back after knee surgery.

The SuperEncierro prologue in detail

According to Speedweek, only the top three in the prologue score points: 3 for Billy Bolt, 2 for Ashton Brightmore (GASGAS) and 1 for Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco). Mitch Brightmore took fourth and Lettenbichler fifth. That fifth place earned him no points himself, yet it was enough, because no rival could catch him in the standings any more. For the riders, the Hixpania weekend is made up of three races: the prologue, the sprint and the main race. With a 32-point lead, the title could therefore fall after the very first race, well before the last two days began.

Román wins at home

Lettenbichler took second in Saturday's Campoo Xtreme sprint, 3.5 seconds behind the winner. On Sunday he fought with Spain's Mario Román (Husqvarna) in the Lost Road main race and finished second. Here is the provisional overall result from Hixpania:

• 1. Mario Román (Husqvarna), 2:11:18;
• 2. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM), 2:12:19, +1:00;
• 3. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna), +5:26;
• 4. Mitch Brightmore (GASGAS), +9:15;
• 5. James Moore (Beta), +10:41.

The final championship standings

After all eight rounds, the provisional championship table reads:

• 1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM), 223 points;
• 2. Mitch Brightmore (GASGAS), 183 points;
• 3. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco), 149 points;
• 4. Ashton Brightmore (GASGAS), 143 points;
• 5. James Moore (Beta), 138 points.

Lettenbichler won five times this season, including at Alestrem, Lagares, Abestone and Sea to Sky. The standings are provisional: the official results are those of the FIM.