Excitement Builds For FIM HEWC Round Four At Red Bull Romaniacs

The FIM Hard Enduro World Championship makes its way to Romania for round four and the iconic Red Bull Romaniacs. Billed as the world’s toughest Hard Enduro Rally, it’s a huge test of rider skill and determination. Red Bull Leader Tread’s Wade Young arrives in Sibiu as the new championship leader, but this time faces Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler, who returns from injury.

• Five epic days of Hard Enduro action await at Red Bull Romaniacs

• Wade Young leads the way as Manuel Lettenbichler returns to racing

• Watch the racing unfold daily on LEATT LIVEmaniacs

Always an exciting event on the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship calendar, Red Bull Romaniacs will deliver an exceptional week of racing from July 23-27 for round four. From the legendary in-city Prolog in Sibiu, to the most demanding of Hard Enduro trails in the surrounding mountains, plus the testing marathon stage, this year’s event has all the ingredients to make the 21st edition of Red Bull Romaniacs the best one yet!

As per tradition, racing gets underway on Tuesday, July 23, with the Prolog qualification. After fighting their way through an incredible manmade course, competitors from up to 64 nations then face four Offroad Days in the mountains.

The demanding marathon stage returns for 2024. With no outside assistance allowed, riders will complete Offroad Day 2 in Râmnicu Vâlcea, some 200 kilometres away from host city Sibiu. Staying there overnight, they will eventually meet up with their service crews, family and friends at the service point midway through Offroad Day 3. With only basic tools to maintain their motorcycles, it should prove a crucial point in the race.

Ensuring Hard Enduro fans around the world can remain tuned into the action, the LEATT LIVEmaniacs will be broadcast daily. Beginning with the opening ceremony on Monday, July 22, the action begins with the Prolog Finals and then daily during the Offroad Days.

Young heads title chase at round four

Winner at round three, Red Bull Leader Tread’s Wade Young arrives in Sibiu as the new championship leader. Young holds a two-point lead over Sherco Factory Racing’s Mario Roman, who in turn holds a two-point advantage over Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler. With just four points separating the top three at this halfway stage in the season, it really is all to play for at round four.

 Claiming a win at round three, and always performing strongly in Romania, Young will be fired up for further success in Sibiu. On the podium at every round so far this year, Roman has been super consistent, but has yet to show winning speed. He knows at Red Bull Romaniacs he will need to fight harder than ever for the top step of the podium if he wishes to truly step forward as a title contender. 

Defending champion Lettenbichler returns to action having missed round three due to a knee injury. The German’s fitness and form leading into round four is unknown having remained off his KTM for many weeks. But his determination to win and love for the Romanian mountains are never in question, meaning Lettenbichler can’t be counted out of the equation.

Bulgaria’s Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) sits fourth overall in the championship chase, five points behind Lettenbichler. Still very much in the hunt, the Sherco rider is on the cusp of clinching his debut win in the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship. Round four could see him make history as the first Bulgarian to top the FIM Hard Enduro podium.

Completing the top five in the overall standings is TTR Squadra Corse’s Mitch Brightmore. The young Brit has enjoyed a solid season to date. Faring well in similar conditions at round three, and gaining experience all the time, Brightmore will hope to get closer to the leading four riders.

Lying sixth and seventh in the standings, Francesc Moret (Sherco) and Matthew Green (KTM) are tied on points.

Mitch Brightmore aims to extend Junior points lead

In the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM, Mitch Brightmore remains undefeated so far, with three wins from three starts. At round three Mitch faced a sizeable challenge from South Africa’s James Moore (GASGAS), with the Rigo Racing rider leading until the final day. Moore will look to impress once more and show what he is capable of.

Mitch’s brother Ashton lies second overall in the standings. Making his debut ride at Red Bull Romaniacs, the young Brit faces a testing week ahead and will have to use every ounce of skill and determination to reach the finish line unscathed.

Beta UK’s Richard Moorhouse holds third overall, ahead of Triple D Motosport KTM’s Robert Crayston. Thanks to his runner-up result last time out, Moore completes the top five in the Junior classification.

Round four of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship takes place at Red Bull Romaniacs in Sibiu, Romania on July 23-27.

Provisional Championship Standings (After Round Three)

FIM HEWC
1. Wade Young (GASGAS) 49pts
2. Mario Roman (Sherco) 47pts
3. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 45pts
4. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 40pts
5. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 38pts
6. Francesc Moret (Sherco) 27pts
7. Matthew Green (KTM) 27pts
8. Marc Riba (KTM) 25pts
9. David Cyprian (KTM) 21pts
10. Vaclav Nedved (KTM) 19pts

FIM HEJWC supported by KLIM
1. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 65pts
2. Ashton Brightmore (GASGAS) 54pts
3. Richard Moorhouse (Beta) 41pts
4. Robert Crayston (KTM) 32pts
5. James Moore (GASGAS) 28pts
6. Hugo Crozet (Beta) 26pts
7. Barnabas Csizmazia (Husqvarna) 26pts
8. Marc Fernandez (KTM) 25pts
9. Valentino Hutter (GASGAS) 24pts
10. Suff Sella (KTM) 24pts