Manuel Lettenbichler
- Germany
- KTM 300 EXC
- Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Manuel "Mani" Lettenbichler is a German hard enduro racer for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and the son of Andreas Lettenbichler. He is a four-time FIM Hard Enduro World Champion (2022–2025), a five-time Erzbergrodeo winner (2022–2026) and a seven-time Red Bull Romaniacs winner.
Riding Style
Describes himself as an action sport athlete rather than only an enduro rider.
Achievements
- FIM Hard Enduro World Champion
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
- WESS Enduro World Champion 2019
- FIM SuperEnduro Junior World Champion (2015/16 season) 2016
- Red Bull Erzbergrodeo Winner
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
- Red Bull Romaniacs Winner
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
- Winner of Red Bull Tennessee Knockout
- 2019
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
- Winner of Sea to Sky
- 2024
- 2025
- 2nd Place at Abestone Hard Enduro 2025
Recent coverage
Notable Races
Red Bull Erzbergrodeo
Hard enduro on the Erzberg mine in Austria, known for its low finishing rate.
Best Result: 5-time Winner (2022–2026)
Red Bull Romaniacs
Multi-day hard enduro rally held in Romania.
Best Result: 7-time Winner
GetzenRodeo
Hard enduro in Grießbach, Germany, and a round of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship.
Best Result: 5-time Winner (2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025)
Sea to Sky
A major hard enduro race in Kemer, Turkey.
Best Result: Winner, 2024 and 2025
Quotes
"I would see myself not as an Enduro rider more like an Action Sport Athlete who is trying to inspire people not only on a moto bike although on a MTB or on Skis for example."
"But at the end I´m just a guy who loves what he is doing and enjoying every single day."
Sources
- Tennessee Knockout: Lettenbichler takes 2019 Tennessee Knockout (checked 2026-10-01)
- Tennessee Knockout: Lettenbichler takes 2026 Red Bull Tennessee Knockout win (fourth TKO win, third in a row) (checked 2026-10-01)
- Wikipedia: Manuel Lettenbichler (checked 2026-09-30)
- Manuel Lettenbichler official site (home and CV pages) (checked 2026-09-30)
- KTM: Manuel Lettenbichler crowned 2025 FIM Hard Enduro World Champion (25 Oct 2025) (checked 2026-09-30)
- KTM: Mani Lettenbichler makes history with fifth consecutive Erzbergrodeo victory (7 Jun 2026) (checked 2026-09-30)
- Wikipedia: Erzberg Rodeo (winners list) (checked 2026-09-30)
- Red Bull Romaniacs: Hall of Fame – Gold event overall (checked 2026-09-30)
- KTM Press Center: Record-equalling seventh Red Bull Romaniacs win for Mani Lettenbichler (1 Aug 2026) (checked 2026-09-30)
- GetzenRodeo: Mani Lettenbichler, the King of the 24MX GetzenRodeo 2023 (checked 2026-09-30)
- Red Bull Tennessee Knockout: 2025 TKO Pro podium results (checked 2026-09-30)
- Cycle News: 2025 FIM Hard Enduro Round 5 Results (Sea to Sky) (checked 2026-09-30)
- Husqvarna: Billy Bolt secures victory at Italy's Abestone Hard Enduro (results list) (checked 2026-09-30)
The most dedicated athletes in Hard Enduro, making a name for themselves
Graham Jarvis
- United Kingdom
- JARV-E (electric)
- JARV-E (development partner)
Graham Jarvis (born 21 April 1975, Ripon) is a British hard enduro racer and five-time British Trials Champion. He has won Red Bull Romaniacs seven times and Erzbergrodeo five times. In 2026 he races the electric JARV-E, which he helped develop.
Billy Bolt
- United Kingdom
- Husqvarna TE 300
- Husqvarna Factory Racing
Billy Bolt, from Newcastle, England, is a former trials rider who races hard enduro and SuperEnduro for Husqvarna Factory Racing. He was the first FIM Hard Enduro World Champion (2021), won the first WESS title (2018) and has won six FIM SuperEnduro world titles in a row (2020, 2022–2026).
Tadeusz 'Taddy' Błażusiak
- Poland
- KTM (Brand Ambassador)
Taddy Błażusiak is a Polish former trials champion who won the Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble on his debut in 2007 and four more times through 2011. He won six FIM indoor enduro world titles and five AMA EnduroCross titles, and rejoined KTM as a brand ambassador in March 2025.
Jonny Walker
- United Kingdom
- Triumph TF 250-E
- Triumph Factory Racing
Jonny Walker is a British hard enduro and indoor enduro racer. He won Erzbergrodeo in 2012 and 2014, shared the 2015 win, and won Red Bull Romaniacs in 2014 and 2015. He joined Triumph in September 2024, won the 2025 AMA EnduroCross title and was SuperEnduro runner-up in 2025 and 2026.
David Knight
- United Kingdom
- Various
- Various / Privateer
David Knight 'Knighter' MBE is a legend of the sport, bridging classic enduro and early extreme enduro. He is a multiple-time FIM Enduro World Champion and GNCC Champion, and has won major extreme events including Erzberg and Hells Gate. He has raced for factory teams including KTM. He raced the 2021 Dakar Rally and was still racing in 2025, on a Ducati.
Cody Webb
- United States
- Yamaha YZ250FX
- Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Yamaha
Cody Webb is an American hard enduro and EnduroCross racer from Watsonville, California, and the 2010 NATC trials champion. He won the Tennessee Knockout six years running (2013–2018) and the 2018 FIM SuperEnduro title. Since 2025 he has owned and raced for his own Rocky Mountain Yamaha team.
Alfredo Gómez
- Spain
- Beta RR 2T 300
- Beta AG Racing
Alfredo Gómez, born on 6 August 1989 in Madrid, Spain, is a former junior trials world champion who switched to enduro in 2012. He shared the 2015 Erzbergrodeo win and won it outright in 2017. He joined Rieju for 2023 and signed with Beta in December 2024.
Wade Young
- South Africa
- KTM 300 EXC
- Brother Leader Tread KTM Enduro Team
Wade Young, born in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is a hard enduro racer who became the youngest Roof of Africa winner at 16 in 2012. He has won the Roof nine times, equalling Alfie Cox's record, and won Red Bull Romaniacs in 2018. In 2026 he rides a KTM 300 EXC.
Mario Román
- Spain
- Husqvarna TE 300
- MR74 Racing Team
Mario Román (born 17 January 1990, Madrid) is a Spanish hard enduro racer. He rode for Sherco from 2017 to 2025 and was runner-up in the 2022 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship. In 2026 he races a Husqvarna TE 300 for his own MR74 Racing Team. CFMOTO named him a brand ambassador in January 2026, and he won the 2026 Red Bull Romaniacs Adventure Ultimate class on a CFMOTO 450MT.
Trystan Hart
- Canada
- KTM 350 XC-F and KTM 300 XC
- FMF KTM Factory Racing
Trystan Hart is a Canadian hard enduro and EnduroCross racer for FMF KTM Factory Racing, nicknamed 'the robot' for his consistency. He has won six straight US Hard Enduro titles (2021–2026), three Red Bull Tennessee Knockouts and four Erzbergrodeo podiums.
Andreas Lettenbichler
- Germany
- Various (BMW, Husqvarna, KTM)
- Retired
Andreas 'Letti' Lettenbichler is a retired German trials and hard enduro rider. He won Red Bull Romaniacs in 2009 on a BMW G 450 X and, as a KTM factory rider, shared the 2015 Erzbergrodeo win with three other riders. He is the father of Manuel Lettenbichler.
Christian Pfeiffer
- Germany
- BMW (various)
- BMW (former)
Early Erzberg specialist and global promoter of the event; winner in 1996, 1997, 2000, and 2004. Pfeiffer was also a world-renowned stunt rider for BMW. He passed away in 2022.
Cyril Despres
- France
- KTM (Rally)
- KTM (former)
Five-time Dakar Rally champion and three-time Red Bull Romaniacs winner (2004, 2005, 2007). Despres is an icon of rally-raid who also dominated early extreme enduro.
Alfie Cox
- South Africa
- KTM (various)
- KTM (former)
South African off-road racer who won the Roof of Africa nine times, a record Wade Young equalled in 2024. He won the first Erzbergrodeo in 1995 and finished on the Dakar Rally podium three times on a bike (3rd in 1999, 2nd in 2002, 3rd in 2005).
Teodor Kabakchiev
- Bulgaria
- Sherco 300 SE XTREM
- Sherco Racing Factory
Teodor Kabakchiev is a Bulgarian hard enduro racer from Gabrovo who has ridden for the Sherco factory team since 2024. He was FIM Junior SuperEnduro World Champion in 2020, finished 2nd at Red Bull Romaniacs in 2022, 2024 and 2026, and won the 2026 Roof of Africa.
Mitch Brightmore
- United Kingdom
- GASGAS EC 300
- X-GRIP Racing Team
Mitch Brightmore is a British hard enduro racer on a GASGAS for the X-GRIP Racing Team. A former trials rider, he won the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World title in 2023 and 2024 and finished 3rd in the 2025 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship.
Matthew Green
- South Africa
- KTM 300 EXC
- Rigo Racing
Matthew Green (born 2001, KwaZulu-Natal) is a South African hard enduro racer on a KTM for the Italian Rigo Racing team. He won the first FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Cup in 2022 and finished 4th at Red Bull Romaniacs in 2026.
Pol Tarrés
- Spain
- Yamaha Ténéré 700
- Trece Racing Society
Pol Tarrés is a Spanish former trials rider who races the twin-cylinder Yamaha Ténéré 700 adventure bike in hard enduro. He won the first Red Bull Romaniacs Adventure Ultimate class in 2025 and took the Ténéré to checkpoint 19 at Erzbergrodeo 2026, a record for a big bike.
Chris Birch
- New Zealand
- KTM Ambassador / Say No To Slow
Chris Birch is a New Zealand enduro rider who won Red Bull Romaniacs in 2010 and the Roof of Africa in 2008, 2009 and 2010. He is a KTM ambassador and coaches off-road and adventure riding through his business, Say No To Slow.
Michael Walkner
- Austria
- GASGAS EC 300
Michael Walkner (born 1997, Salzburg) is an Austrian hard enduro racer on a GASGAS EC 300. He announced the end of his professional career in December 2024 but still races: he was 4th at Red Bull Romaniacs in 2025 and 6th in 2026.
Paul Bolton
- United Kingdom
Paul 'Bolts' Bolton is a British hard enduro racer from Lancashire who calls himself 'the world's fastest privateer'. He was 3rd at Erzbergrodeo in 2008 and 3rd at Red Bull Romaniacs in 2017, and has made hard enduro shows for Red Bull TV.
Giovanni Sala
- Italy
- KTM
- KTM Farioli (former)
Five-time WEC World Enduro Champion and Italian legend; Erzberg Rodeo winner in 1998.
Sandra Gómez
- Spain
Sandra Gómez is a Spanish trials, hard enduro and rally rider from Madrid. She won the 2016 FIM Women's SuperEnduro world title and in 2020 became the first woman to finish the Red Bull Romaniacs Gold class. She was 43rd at the 2025 Dakar Rally, the only woman in the bike class.
Eddie Karlsson
- Sweden
- Stark Varg EX (Electric)
- Stark Future
Eddie Karlsson is a Swedish former trials champion who races hard enduro for Stark Future on the electric Stark Varg EX. In 2025 he became the first rider to win the Red Bull Romaniacs Silver class on an electric motorcycle.
Didier Goirand
- Mexico
- Sherco 300 SE
- Sherco 4D
Didier Goirand is a professional enduro and hard enduro rider from Mexico, known for his exceptional skills and contributions to the sport. He has made history as the first Mexican to compete in the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, showcasing his talent on an international platform.
Hard Enduro knowledge
The Pantheon criteria
Our Top Enduro Riders list is built upon three pillars: modern FIM titles (HEWC/WESS), cornerstone rally wins (Erzberg, Romaniacs, Hells Gate, Roof of Africa), and specialty dominance/influence.
- FIM era consistency (HEWC/WESS)
- Big Four victories and podiums
- Historic pioneers and crossover impact
What makes a top Hard Enduro rider?
The best riders blend elite trials precision with enduro stamina and race craft. They read terrain instantly, conserve energy, and keep momentum over near-impossible obstacles while staying calm under pressure for hours or days.
- Technical mastery from a trials foundation
- World-class balance, clutch/throttle/brake control
- Endurance, grip strength, and heat management
- Line choice, momentum, and recovery efficiency
- Mental resilience and on-the-fly problem solving
Training pillars
- Bike skills: slow-speed balance, clutch/throttle drills, front/rear wheel placement, traction management.
- Strength & conditioning: posterior chain, core, grip; interval work for repeatable efforts; long Z2 base.
- Technique blocks: logs/steps, rock gardens, hillclimbs, off-cambers, pivot turns, downhill braking.
- Simulation: back-to-back days, limited assistance, navigating when fatigued.
- Recovery & nutrition: hydration, electrolytes, on-bike fueling, mobility.
How the elite evolved
The sport moved from single brutal specialists to complete riders as WESS/HEWC rewarded speed, consistency, and versatility. Dominance now requires technical mastery and high-speed endurance.
Bike setup and gear priorities
- Tires/mousse or Tubliss: maximize traction and puncture resistance for slow, technical terrain.
- Gearing: favor shorter ratios for control on steep climbs and trials-like sections.
- Protection: radiator, skid, linkage, handguards; durable boots and CE-rated body armor.
- Controls: smooth clutch, strong front brake, ergonomic levers and bar position.
Race strategy
- Pacing: ride at 90–95% to reduce mistakes; pick fights selectively.
- Line scanning: look two obstacles ahead; keep a bailout option.
- Momentum first: commit early, avoid stalling; reset quickly if the line fails.
- Problem-solving: dismount, reposition, and attack again rather than waste energy.