ErzbergRodeo 2023

By Team TMX on 12th Jun 23

News Enduro Hard Enduro

Red Bull KTM’s Mani Lettenbichler took victory in the Red Bull Hare Scramble at the Erzbergrodeo in Austria - round two of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship. Pushing him hard all the way, Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt took second, with FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Trystan Hart completing the podium.

In the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM, Rigo Racing’s Matthew Green was best with 11th overall, while TTR Squadra Corse’s Mitch Brightmore was next of the Juniors in 16th.

With the Blakläder Iron Road Prologue put to bed, attention turned to Sunday’s feature race at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo. Ahead of the midday start, all 500 qualified riders took their position on the start line at the base of the Iron Giant quarry.

For 2023 no course walking was allowed, meaning competitors had little idea of what to expect from the 35-kilometre-long track. And with outside assistance forbidden, getting a clean start and being at the head of the field would prove crucial.

As the flag dropped, FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Trystan grabbed the holeshot ahead of GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler, with TTR Squadra Corse’s Dominik Olszowy slotting into fourth.

Drama didn’t take long to kick-in with Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt crashing on the very first climb. Remounting outside the top 30 put him immediately on the back foot. Upfront and the leading quartet of Hart, Lettenbichler, Olszowy, and prologue victor Andrea Verona remained relatively unchanged as they cleared the first few early checkpoints. Bolt was on a mission though and after 20 minutes had joined Lettenbichler and Hart at the front as Olszowy and Verona dropped back.

Through the rocky Machine climb, Lettenbichler and Bolt were wheel to wheel and now pulling clear of Hart. With Olszowy fourth, there was a battle between Wade Young (Sherco), Teodor Kabakchiev (KTM), and Jonny Walker (Beta) forming for fifth.

At Udo’s Playground, checkpoint 17 of 27, Bolt overhauled Lettenbichler. Arriving at the notorious Carl’s Dinner boulder field, Billy pressed on and opened up over 100 metres of an advantage during the 35-minute section. However, a damaged exhaust would leave the Husqvarna rider limping through the following Motorex Highway climbs and Lettenbichler struck back with around 30 minutes of racing to go.

Passing Bolt, Lettenbichler put his head down and never looked back. Through George’s Avenue, Dynamite, and the final signature section of Lazy Noon, Mani built up a 10 minute lead. With everything under control, he arrived at the winner’s enclosure as this year’s Red Bull Erzbergrodeo winner, making it two wins from two starts in this year’s FIM Hard Enduro World Championship.

Despite giving it everything he could, Bolt ultimately had no match Lettenbichler as the final kilometres unfolded. Soldiering his way home, Billy took a hard fought runner-up result.

The battle for the final step of the podium began to heat up during the final signature sections. Hart had a virtual grasp on third but couldn’t shake off a determined Walker. With the Beta rider keeping the Canadian honest, Hart crossed the finish line just two minutes ahead of Walker for third.

For Walker, fourth was still a very satisfying result having climbed as high as third at checkpoint 18 before Hart pulled him back in at Carl’s Dinner. Putting in a solid performance throughout the race, Sherco Factory Racing’s Wade Young completed the top five.

After a row two start, Graham Jarvis pushed through from a starting position of 60th to an eventual sixth, while GASGAS’ Michael Walkner used his home support to secure seventh.

Rigo Racing’s Matthew Green ended his race in 11th to top the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM category. TTR Squadra Corse’s Mitch Brightmore was the only other Junior rider to make it to the finish line within the four-hour time limit for 16th. In total 17 riders completed this year’s Red Bull Erzbergrodeo.

“To get back-to-back wins at Red Bull Erzbergrodeo and also my second victory of the Hard Enduro season is amazing,” said Mani. “My start was fairly solid, and I got away with the top three straight away so I pushed hard. When Billy caught up, we rode together for a while and then he pulled away from me during Carl’s Dinner. But when I got past him again at Motorex Highway I put my head down and pushed on. It’s been an awesome day.”

“I got a great jump off the start line but crashed on the first climb,” said Bolt from second step on the podium. “It was probably the worst place to fall off. The next 10 minutes were a blur trying to pass so many people before we hit the first forestry section. I caught up to Mani and rode together. But I put a dent in my exhaust pipe and lost some power. In Carl’s Dinner I knew that was my best chance to try and pull a gap, so I pushed hard. But when I got to Motorex Highway I struggled on the climb, and kinda hit the wall. Mani got passed me again and I couldn’t go with him. I wanted to win, and I gave it everything I had today!”

“Honestly, I’m super happy with fourth,” said Jonny Walker. “A top five result was the target. The top two were on fire. In the end I was only two minutes from the podium, so I’m pretty pleased about that.”

As well as there being three Brits in the top 10 and Brightmore taking second in the Junior class having placed 16th, Jack Price, Dan Peace and Will Hoare were also classified as official finshers ending up 14th, 15th and 17th respectively.

Results: Red Bull Erzbergrodeo

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