Red Bull KTM Factory Racing star Manuel Lettenbichler has been crowned 2022 FIM Hard Enduro World Champion after overcoming injury and being forced to catch up after missing the opening round of the series. In the winning race of the season finale – Spain’s Hixpania Hard Enduro – Mani has won the 2022 FIM HEWC title in style. Mani’s success has formed an impressive combination with his KTM 300 EXC throughout 2022 and is on a par with his WESS Enduro World Championship title in 2019, marking KTM’s 330th World Championship title.
Lettenbichler is back in action for the second round of the 2022 FIM Hard Enduro World Championships following pre-season knee surgery, with a landslide victory at the Xross Hard Enduro Rally in Serbia. The KTM 300 EXC rider took the top score and quickly moved up to sixth in the series standings.
Mani won the next two rounds in Austria and Italy – Red Bull Erzbergrodeo and Red Bull Abestone – within two points of the championship lead – a remarkable feat after Israel missed the season-opening race. The second half of the series began with the 24-year-old finishing sixth at the infamous Red Bull Romania, before returning to the podium in round six to finish second at Red Bull TKO in the United States.
With just one point behind the series lead in the remaining two events, Marney earned his fourth win of the year in Canada to top the series standings. Going into the eighth and final round – Spain’s Hixpania Hard Enduro – Mani is 100% focused on getting another winning result to win the 2022 FIM HEWC Championship.
Mani took pole position in the championship-deciding main event, leading from start to finish in the tough enduro race. With a perfect two-and-a-half hours, Mane scored his fifth victory in seven races. Mani once again showed the incredible capabilities of the KTM 300 EXC and put his name on the record books by becoming the 2022 FIM Hard Enduro World Champion.
FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Trystan Hart finished seventh in the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, underlining the Hard Enduro prowess of the KTM 300 EXC. His season was highlighted by a Red Bull TKO victory and a second-place finish at home to the Red Bull Outliers in Canada.
Manuel Lettenbichler: “I can’t believe it! In racing, anything can happen and before the season started, I said that I would just take each round one-by-one and just keep pushing all season. I didn’t expect to win when I returned from injury and then to win three in a row was amazing – that’s when I knew the title might be possible. I had a couple of tough races mid-season and that built up some pressure, especially heading into the final race in Spain. So many riders have ridden really well this season, the guys were really on it this year and the races were tough. I’m so happy to get the job done and it was amazing to win in front of such a big crowd in Spain. It’s been an amazing season and I couldn’t have done it without the support of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. It’s a big team effort and together we got it done, so a big thanks to everyone behind me. What a year it’s been.”
Robert Jonas, Head of Motorsports Offroad: “What Mani and the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team have achieved in the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship this year is incredible. After missing the first round it was always going to be a serious challenge to become champion, but he did it! Winning immediately on his return to racing, then going on to win a total of five races, he’s shown just how strong a racer he is. He has performed at an even higher level than previous seasons. Mani really deserves this title. Congratulations to Mani and the whole team.”
Final Championship Standings – 2022 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, 127pts
2. Mario Roman (ESP), Sherco, 120pts
3. Graham Jarvis (GBR), Husqvarna, 93pts
4. Teodor Kabakchiev (BUL), KTM, 72pts
5. Alfredo Gomez (ESP), GASGAS, 72pts
6. Michael Walkner (AUT), GASGAS, 66pts
7. Trystan Hart (CAN), KTM, 63pts
8. Billy Bolt (GBR), Husqvarna, 62pts
9. David Cyprian (CZE), KTM, 61pts
10. Wade Young (RSA), Sherco, 56pts