Was the 2024 Red Bull Romaniacs Hard Enduro the Toughest Ever?

Last weekend, the Red Bull Romaniacs took place as the fourth round of this year’s Hard Enduro World Championship, and its outcome was hardly surprising.

Manuel Lettenbichler, who won the 2023 Hard Enduro World Championship (HEWC) with an unbeaten record, took victory in Romania for the fifth time in his career, and the fifth time in succession.

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Red Bull KTM’s Lettenbichler was the man to beat from the off, and by the end of the first day led by 28 minutes. By the end of the second day, his lead was almost 35 minutes, and on day three he extended that further to 40 minutes, allowing it to fall to 33 minutes on the fourth and final day to secure victory.

Although he dominated, the words of Lettenbichler after taking his fifth career Romaniacs win painted a picture of the event’s difficulty. “That was great,” Lettenbichler said. But, “I am pretty tired, the last three days I was struggling quite a lot, but the last 20km before the finish I felt better knowing I was close. You always find that last bit of energy to push to the finish. 

“The other guys have ridden unbelievably well all week, but I’m stoked with my riding and my fifth win in a row.”

Lettenbichler’s achievement was made only more impressive by the fact that this was his first race since the Erzbergrodeo back in June — which he also won — after getting injured following the Austrian race. “Even though it’s been tough for sure, it feels good to come back from injury and go straight to the top of the podium. We have a little time now to build on my fitness and then it’s back to it at TKO (round five of the Hard Enduro World Championship). I’m really looking forward to it.”

Lettenbichler’s injury after Erzberg meant he missed the Xross Hard Enduro Rally, but his victory in the Romaniacs means he has retaken the HEWC points lead by five points over South Africa’s Wade Young, and the Spaniard Mario Roman, who are both tied on 62 points. 

TKO, mentioned by Lettenbichler, is the next round of the Hard Enduro World Championship, taking place in the US on 22-25 August.