Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler has delivered another exceptional performance in his 2025 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship campaign, finishing as runner-up at the Abestone Hard Enduro in Italy. Racing his KTM 300 EXC, Mani battled through the steep and technical terrain of Tuscany to secure the second step of the podium at round three and maintain his championship lead.
Held in the mountains of Tuscany, close to the town of Abetone, Saturday’s Sprint Race determined the start order for Sunday’s main event. The Gold class riders face a one-hour hard enduro that delivered a variety of terrain including forest tracks, river beds, and challenging rocky climbs.
After one hour, riders within 15 minutes of the leader then had to take on the X-Loop section – a punishing 500-meter course located in the ski resort itself. Lettenbichler followed home closest rival Billy Bolt to take second place and ensure a favorable start position for Sunday’s main event.
The Gold Final on Sunday followed a similar format to the sprint, but challenged riders for a grueling two hours before directing them into the X-Loop section. With multiple laps of tough natural terrain ahead of him, Lettenbichler started strong, slotting in behind Bolt for the opening couple of laps before moving ahead and opening up a narrow advantage.
What then followed was a battle between the two championship contenders that went right down to the wire. With the lead swapping multiple times in the forest, the race was ultimately decided in the X-Loop section where Bolt got the upper hand, despite a last-minute attack by Mani.
Coming away with a hard-fought second-place result, Lettenbichler continues to lead the 2025 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship with four rounds left to contest.
Manuel Lettenbichler: “What a race! We were swapping the lead at the front so often, and Billy rode really well, so congrats to him. I haven’t enjoyed a battle like this for a long time. I almost had him at end, we ran into each other when I tried to make a block pass, but it wasn’t quite enough. I think it’s clear by the lead that the two of us opened up over the rest of the field that we’re both at the top of our game. If this carries on for the rest of the season, with the two of us fighting this hard for the top step of the podium, it’s going to make the championship very exciting.”
Provisional Overall Results – 2025 Abestone Hard Enduro
1. Billy Bolt (GBR), Husqvarna, 2:18:23.18 (12 laps)
2. Manuel Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, 2:18:27.19 (12 laps)
3. Mitch Brightmore (GBR), GASGAS, 2:14:29.33 (8 laps)
4. James Moore (RSA), KTM, 2:01:40.13 (7 laps)
5. Graham Jarvis (GBR), Husqvarna, 2:06:45.06 (7 laps)
Posted on September 7, 2025 by Michael Le Pard
