The FIM Hard Enduro World Championship round three in Serbia this week at the Xross Hard Enduro Rally will see a new race winner no matter what as Mani Lettenbichler is side-lined – who’s going to step up?

The door is wide open for a new winner this week at the Xross Hard Enduro Rally, round three of the 2024 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship.

On the injury bench for round three, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler will be a notable absentee in Serbia having suffered a knee injury in training, forcing him out.

Lettenbichler has won the last 10 consecutive FIM HEWC races since 2022, Serbia will finally see a new winner from 60 riders are entered in the Pro class.

A street-style prologue followed by three days racing means another switch in format for the HEWC riders as they go from sprint extreme racing of rounds one and two to the GPS navigation, rallye-style race here in Serbia (and next month at Romaniacs).  

A healthy list of riders ready to step up and take the win include some specialists at the multi-day, GPS-style races like Wade Young, Mario Roman, Teo Kabakchiev, Alfredo Gomez, and mister old but gold, Graham Jarvis.

Knee injury forces Mani Lettenbichler out of Hard Enduro round three

Who’s got this?

With two podiums and P2 spot in the points, Sherco Factory Racing’s Mario Roman will look to take advantage on the long, multi-day race format – he’s no fan of the shorter races and usually excels the harder and longer the races get.

His teammate Teo Kabakchiev will also look to get back on the podium having slipped up and missed a check point at Erzberg, knocking him out of the results. As a podium finishers in the previous two editions of Xross he starts as one of the favourites for the win.

Red Bull Leader Tread’s Wade Young is third overall and no stranger to a GPS-style race win having claimed the win in previous editions in Serbia and of course Romania.

FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship leader, TTR Squadra Corse’s Mitch Brightmore, is also in the hunt for the podium at least as he climbs the ladder among the Pro riders.

Though not an officially entered HEWC rider this season (you have to sign up to get the points), Graham Jarvis has marked Xross on his calendar and will surely be a contender for the podium.

Also don’t count Alfredo Gomez out as the Spaniard can usually turn it on in the prologue and gets the new fuel injected Rieju dialled in these tough mountain races.

Pipped at the post almost in Erzberg, the old dog proved he still has it and naturally finds his experience tells in the GPS-style, multiday races.

With no Lettenbichler, Billy Bolt still out injured and no American riders at this round, the Xross hard Enduro Rally will not have quite the same glitz as the bigger, more established races on the calendar.

But the top 10 battle will be an intense one with riders like Michael Walkner, David Cyprian, Francesc Moret, Marc Riba, Ashton Brightmore, Berts Crayston and Matthew Green all are well in with a shout.

HEWC Juniors mixing it for the overall podium

In the FIM Junior Hard Enduro World Championship, defending champion Mitch Brightmore leads the way after two victories so far in 2024.

Younger brother Ashton is second overall in standings but will be a newcomer to Xross Hard Enduro Rally.

Beta UK’s Richard Moorhouse holds onto third overall in standings but is only one point clear of Triple D Motorsport KTM’s Robert Crayston in fourth. With Jarvis Racing’s Barnabas Csizmazia behind in fifth.

You can follow round three on www.iridehardenduro.com where the official results, event coverage and schedules are listed.

Event format

Wednesday sees the Prologue qualification on a SuperEnduro-style track built in the host town. Championship points are up for grabs for those who make the finals as well as the starting positions for day one in the mountains.

Thursday morning sees the first early start as riders take on a 100-kilometre Hard Enduro course, clicking off checkpoints on hill climbs and some slick rock streams the event is famous for as well as awesome trail riding.

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (After Rnd 2), FIM HEWC:

1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 45pts

2. Mario Roman (Sherco) 32pts

3. Wade Young (GASGAS) 29pts

4. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 13pts

5. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 20pts

6. Francesc Moret (Sherco) 18pts

7. Marc Riba (KTM) 17pts

8. Matthew Green (KTM) 17pts

9. Will Hoare (RIEJU) 13pts

10. Vaclav Nedved (KTM) 12pts

FIM HEJWC supported by KLIM

1. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 42pts

2. Ashton Brightmore (GASGAS) 37pts

3. Richard Moorhouse (Beta) 28pts

4. Robert Crayston (KTM) 27pts

5. Barnabas Csizmazia (Husqvarna) 20pts

Photo Credit: Future7Media | Andrea Belluschi