Lettenbichler Wins Forza Orza to Extend Hard Enduro Championship Lead
Red Bull KTM's Manuel Lettenbichler won the inaugural Forza Orza in Sweden, strengthening his FIM Hard Enduro World Championship lead to 15 points.
- 3.5 minutes
- 15 points
- 6.5 minutes
- 3
What Happened
Manuel Lettenbichler claimed victory at the fourth round of the 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, dominating the inaugural Forza Orza in Orsa, Sweden. Riding a KTM 300 EXC for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, the German followed his record-equaling seventh Red Bull Romaniacs victory with a strong Main Race performance. By lap eight he had opened a six-and-a-half-minute lead before a crash caused a small technical issue, yet he still finished with a three-and-a-half-minute advantage for his third win of the season.
Lettenbichler recorded the fifth-fastest time in the short-format opener.
He fought his way to second place in the one-hour race.
He dominated, led from the front, overcame a crash-induced technical issue, and won by 3.5 minutes.
“Yeah, it was a crazy race, honestly. The weather changed the track quite a lot and I didn’t expect it to be so slippery, so we had to push hard to get the win. I’m really happy with the result, especially because it’s good for the championship and we were able to gain some points on Mitch [Brightmore], who is riding really well at the moment. I felt good throughout the race, but then on the second”
- 1. Manuel Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, 2:20:41
- 2. Mitch Brightmore (GBR), GASGAS, 2:24:17 +3:36
- 3. Ashton Brightmore (GBR), GASGAS, 2:27:58 +7:16
- 4. Eddie Karlsson (SWE), Stark, 2:24:09 +10:15
- 5. Billy Bolt (GBR), Husqvarna, 2:25:21 +11:59
- 1. Manuel Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, 117 pts
- 2. Mitch Brightmore (GBR), GASGAS, 102 pts
- 3. Teodor Kabakchiev (BUL), Sherco, 74 pts
- 4. Ashton Brightmore (GBR), GASGAS, 73 pts
- 5. Billy Bolt (GBR), Husqvarna, 65 pts
Why this matters
The win gives the reigning champion a 15-point buffer at the halfway point of the Hard Enduro season. With four rounds remaining, he is well placed to defend his title as the series heads to Italy's Abestone Hard Enduro on September 4-6.
Terms in This Story
- Hard Enduro
- A discipline of off-road motorcycle racing over extreme terrain, with races lasting hours and demanding high levels of physical endurance.
- Prologue
- A short opening stage in an Enduro event, often a time trial used to set the starting order.
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