(ENG) Lettenbichler Extends Lead, Website Optimized, and Working Group in Concrete Planning

Vienna / Sibiu, June 30, 2026 – Bavarian Hard Enduro superstar Manuel Lettenbichler secured the maximum 2,000 points with his fifth consecutive victory at the 30th edition of the legendary race in the Austrian region of Styria. E-bikes proved for the first time at the Iron Giant that they are competitive at the highest level of Hard Enduro. A series of optimizations on the website have increased transparency, and the working group has been prominently staffed in the top rider category with Manuel Lettenbichler and Cody Webb.

The 30th Red Bull Erzbergrodeo was a complete success. 1,125 starters took on the challenge of the “Iron Giant” and aimed to prove they were tougher than the steel from which the mountain — which every Hard Enduro rider worldwide dreams of conquering once — is forged! In the end, 15 of the 500 Main Event starters managed to reach the finish line waved by mastermind Karl Katoch within the 4-hour race time.

Red Bull KTM factory rider Manuel Lettenbichler made history with his 5th victory at the world’s most prestigious single-day Hard Enduro race, drawing level with legends Graham Jarvis and Taddy Blazusiak. Next year, the Bavarian from Kiefersfelden will have the chance to claim the outright record with another win in Eisenerz.

First Time 2,000 Points

Since the Erzbergrodeo holds “Supreme” category status, 2,000 points were awarded for the victory in the Hard Enduro World Ranking for the first time. With this latest win, Manuel further cemented his current first place in the rankings. After a temporary third place at the Silver Kings in the USA, he now leads with 5,240 points — nearly 1,000 points ahead of second-placed Trystan Hart. The Canadian finished second at both the Erzbergrodeo and the Silver Kings on his KTM. The 23-year-old Brit Mitch Brightmore achieved 5th place at the Iron Giant on his GASGAS, won the Silver Kings (his first HEWC victory), and moved up to fourth place in the current ranking with these outstanding results.

Electrically Powered Bikes Competitive at the Highest Level

Following the dominance at the Rocket Ride, where the entire podium was occupied by riders on Stark Future electric bikes, Sweden’s Eddie Karlsson not only finished the Main Event of the Erzbergrodeo on his Stark Future but also placed 9th in the Top 10. In addition, legend Graham Jarvis piloted the electrically powered prototype of his new Jarv-E brand to 10th place. This provided proof that E-bikes are now competitive even at the toughest single-day Hard Enduro race in the world elite.

Further Website Optimizations

As announced, the website enduroworldranking.com has undergone significant optimization. In the core of the ranking, under Season Ranking, the following improvements have been implemented:

  • The total number of riders, nations, and races to date is now displayed

  • Clicking on a rider now shows not only the total points but also which results at which races (including category) earned how many points

  • It is now possible to filter by individual nations, allowing riders to see their position in national comparisons at any time

The Event view has also been optimized:

  • Events are now sorted chronologically by month, with details displayed upon clicking an event

  • Filtering by nation is now possible here as well, enabling riders to view upcoming races in their own country or neighboring countries

  • The list can also be filtered by classes/categories

  • Completed races are listed at the bottom of the page

  • To date, 1,864 riders from 40 nations have participated in 16 races in the Hard Enduro World Ranking

Working Group in Concrete Planning

We will not only continuously improve the website but also sustainably enhance the Hard Enduro World Ranking as a whole. Hard Enduro is a complex sport whose full potential has not yet been unlocked or utilized for all stakeholders. With the Hard Enduro World Ranking, we are on the best path to making this potential increasingly accessible for everyone: for the riders, the events, the industry, the partners, and the media.

To best penetrate and understand this complex world of Hard Enduro in detail and to find the best possible solutions for all involved, a working group is being established. This working group consists of:

  • WERA (World Enduro Riders Association) / Top riders

  • Young/talented riders

  • Motorcycle industry

  • Event organizers

  • Motorsport Federations (FIM, AMA, etc.)

The most prominent representative in the working group will be multiple world champion and Erzbergrodeo winner Manuel Lettenbichler.

Manuel Lettenbichler: “I’m 100% on board with the working group because I believe it’s a fantastic opportunity to make our sport bigger and better. We riders are already seeing a lot of positive things in the Hard Enduro World Ranking, and we can unite the global Hard Enduro scene here. We have the chance to create something truly unique together, and I think the sport needs that right now. The ranking also offers several advantages for young riders — for example, they can see where they stand in national comparisons. For event organizers, the Hard Enduro World Ranking provides an opportunity to develop significantly through global visibility. It will also motivate many organizers to keep improving so that achieving a higher category in the ranking gives their events even greater importance.”

North America also receives its first representative in the form of experienced specialist Cody Webb.

Cody Webb: “I’m very happy to be involved because I promote our sport with conviction. I’m a bit older, wiser, and more experienced now. Well, not quite like Graham, but still. I want to see the sport grow, and this task in the working group will be very interesting.”

Next Races in the Hard Enduro World Ranking Calendar

  1. Ditrocks Hard Enduro in Romania (16–19 July 2026, Challenger category)

  2. Red Bull Romaniacs in Romania (28 July – 1 August 2026) → Supreme category!

Martin Freinademetz, the Red Bull Romaniacs mastermind, shares some insights on the upcoming 23rd edition of the world’s toughest Hard Enduro Rally and the Hard Enduro World Ranking: “The Red Bull Romaniacs team lives Hard Enduro all year round. More than 25 Track Managers are currently working on designing over 1,000 km of track for 9 different classes. 58 nations will be represented, and starting places in all classes are fully allocated. At the Romaniacs we are expanding Hard Enduro to include Adventure Bikes, and these classes are also excellently filled in terms of quality and quantity. Graham Jarvis will be the first to tackle the Gold class on his electric Jarv-E. For 23 years now, we have strived every year to make things even better and give fans the opportunity to follow these developments and the racing action live. With the Hard Enduro World Ranking, we also want to motivate other organizers to further develop their events to the highest possible level.”

Hard Enduro World Ranking Top 10 (After 16 races)

  1. Manuel Lettenbichler (GER, KTM) 5,240

  2. Trystan Hart (CAN, KTM) 4,260

  3. Mario Román (ESP, Husqvarna) 3,884

  4. Mitch Brightmore (GBR, GASGAS) 3,860

  5. Teodor Kabakchiev (BUL, Sherco) 3,680

  6. Ashton Brightmore (GBR, GASGAS) 2,580

  7. Ryder Leblond (USA, Husqvarna) 2,293

  8. James Moore (RSA, Beta) 2,275

  9. Eddie Karlsson (SWE, Stark) 2,184

  10. Matthew Green (RSA, KTM) 1,998

Full ranking: enduroworldranking.com/season-ranking

Photos © Red Bull Erzbergrodeo / Red Bull Romaniacs / Red Bull Content Pool / Philipp Platzer

Contact

E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/enduroworldranking
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enduroworldranking/  

Event Registration https://enduroworldranking.com/register

Press Kit: motomedia.at