Hard Enduro Hixpania: Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) crowned world champion ahead of schedule

At the season finale, the 24MX Hixpania in Aguilar de Campoo in northern Spain, Billy Bolt won the prologue as expected, but the World Championship title went to KTM works rider Manuel Lettenbichler – his lead is now unassailable.

At the Hixpania, the prologue is known as the ‘Super Encierro’ – a SuperEnduro-style spectacle featuring a short qualifying session, two semi-finals and a final lasting six minutes plus one lap. There, SuperEnduro star Billy Bolt – having recovered from knee surgery – was in his element on his Husqvarna and won the final in commanding fashion after nine laps in 7:15.10 minutes. Youngster Ashton Brightmore (GASGAS) confirmed his strong form by finishing second, whilst Bulgarian Teo Kabakchiev (Sherco), who had been hit hard by a disqualification at the Sea to Sky, came third. Behind them, Mitch Brightmore (GASGAS) finished fourth and Lettenbichler fifth.

As only the top three finishers receive points in the prologue – Bolt 3, Ashton Brightmore 2, Kabakchiev 1 – Lettenbichler’s 32-point lead over Mitch Brightmore remained intact. As there are only 30 points left to be awarded over the rest of the weekend (10 for the sprint, 20 for the main event), Brightmore can no longer catch him. The remaining races will decide the other podium places and the battle for second place overall, in which Mitch Brightmore (165 points) leads Kabakchiev (134) by 31 points. For Lettenbichler, the final will be a coronation.

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