The Red Bull Erzbergrodeo is the most iconic race on the HEWC calendar, and the 28th edition of the Austrian hard enduro did not disappoint in terms of excitement and entertainment. The two-day prologue set the starting order for Sunday’s main event: a grueling 35-kilometer race around the Iron Giant featuring legendary sections like Carl’s Dinner, Machine, and Dynamite, which riders had only four hours to complete. The 2024 edition introduced new sections and significant changes to the order of checkpoints, adding further challenges. Riders were also not allowed to walk the track prior to racing.
Challenging Qualification Process
The two-day qualification process on Friday and Saturday saw 1300 brave riders take on the Iron Giant. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia topped the time sheets by over 30 seconds, securing a comfortable win. Manuel Lettenbichler set the fifth-fastest overall time on his KTM 300 EXC. The Iron Road Prologue also saw Trystan Hart secure his spot on the front row for Sunday’s main race, qualifying ninth overall.
Main Race: A Masterful Performance
On Sunday, the fastest 500 riders lined up for the main race, with Lettenbichler and Hart comfortably positioned on the front row. Mani had a strong start, emerging from the quarry near the front of the pack. He immediately put his head down, storming into the lead just meters before the first checkpoint. Unfazed by the tough course, the German racer put on an Erzbergrodeo masterclass, building an impressive 20-minute lead as he tackled some of the most difficult sections in hard enduro. Choosing his lines tactically, Mani preserved his energy and maintained his speed until the very end, crossing the finish line with over an hour to spare.
HEWC Standings and Future Races
Mani’s victory extends his win streak to 10 in the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship and marks his third consecutive victory at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, making him one of only two people to achieve this feat. The German racer now leads the HEWC standings by 13 points after two rounds. The 2024 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship continues with round three in Serbia for the Xross Hard Enduro Rally from June 19-22.
Post-Race Comments
Manuel Lettenbichler: “That was such a crazy race and I’m so stoked to have been able to ride those incredibly gnarly sections. It’s amazing to have got my tenth win in a row and my third Erzberg win in a row. It feels amazing, it was definitely my day today and I’m super happy with this result. I’m honestly surprised at how confident I felt in the new sections, even when they were quite slippery and tough, but I just tried to use my head and choose the best lines to keep my speed up. Of course, I’m super excited for the rest of the season and I want to continue my winning streak.”
Trystan Hart: “I’m so happy to have finished second and on the podium again! The first corner threw me off initially and, because of that, it felt like I was in a warzone for the first 30 minutes of the race. It was a lot of fun though and when I got to Carl’s Dinner, I felt really good and managed to get up into second place. There were some really tough sections, but I put my all in and held on to that position. This is my third podium in a row at Erzberg and this place really does feel like home to me now. I’ll definitely be fighting for the win next year!”
Sources:
- Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Press Release
- Post-Race Interviews
