2019 WESS Champion signs for KTM Factory Racing
By Team TMX on 18th Dec 19
Manuel Lettenbichler has recently completed his most successful season to date, with the young German clinching the 2019 WESS Enduro World Championship title following a winning ride at the final round of the series, the GetzenRodeo.
Throughout 2019 Lettenbichler established himself as one of the worlds leading enduro competitors. With victories at Red Bull Romaniacs and GetzenRodeo, plus podium results at Extreme XL Lagares, Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble and the Hawkstone Park Cross-Country, he achieved a total of seven top-five results from eight championship starts, on route to securing his debut WESS world title.
Additionally, Mani added further silverware to his 2019 trophy cabinet by winning the AMA Extreme Off-road Grand Championship when he became the first non-American rider to win the Tennessee Knockout Extreme Enduro.
Mani first switched to extreme enduro in 2014 aged just 16 after securing his fifth German Youth Trials Championship. Quick to show promise, he became the youngest-ever finisher at the Erzbergrodeo, Red Bull Sea to Sky and GetzenRodeo, all during his debut season. In 2016 he convincingly won the FIM SuperEnduro Junior World Championship with 15 race wins from 18 starts.
A debut international enduro podium result at the inaugural round of the World Enduro Super Series in 2018 was followed up by two further podium results at Erzbergrodeo and Red Bull Romaniacs. These performances established the then KTM privateer as one of the championships leading contenders.
Manis approachable and friendly attitude has meant hes quickly become a firm favourite with enduro fans around the world and is now one of the most exciting, entertaining and professional enduro prospects.
Lettenbichler joins Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders Jonny Walker, Josep Garcia and Nathan Watson for 2020, where hell aim to successfully defend his WESS Enduro World Championship crown. Additionally, the young German will also contest selected AMA U.S. Extreme Offroad events.
Manuel Lettenbichler: Im really excited to join Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for 2020 and beyond. Ive ridden KTM motorcycles since I started in enduro but joining the factory team really feels like the next chapter of my career is really beginning now.
"They are a team Ive looked up to for a long time. Weve worked closely together during the last two years, so I know how professional they are and Im excited to make this an even closer relationship. Im looking forward to the season ahead and know that racing to defend my title will be a lot of fun. I cant wait to get started.
Fabio Farioli KTM Enduro Team Manager: Were really looking forward to working with Mani in 2020 and beyond. What hes achieved to date in his young racing career is outstanding. Through hard work and unrelenting determination, hes rapidly risen to the top of enduro.
"Delivering race wins and podium results in all disciplines of the sport shows his strengths as a complete rider. Together with his enthusiasm and professional approach Im sure we will go on to achieve many more great moments together.
More like this…
Sudbury Enduro Club hit Foxborough Quarry - report
Charlie Frost (300 KTM) was on form to dominate the Sudbury club’s extreme enduro at a slippery Foxborough Quarry at Halstead in Essex, with a smooth effortless-looking ride.
2019 Motul Roof of Africa - Day 1 highlights
Extended highlights from Race day 1 as the riders tackled some of the first big mountains of the 2019 Motul Roof of Africa
Manuel Lettenbichler Interview: Becoming 2019 WESS Enduro World Champion
Germany’s Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) became the 2019 WESS Enduro World Champion by claiming an emphatic win at the GetzenRodeo World Enduro Super Series finale.