FIM HEWC heads to Turkish Riviera for Sea To Sky

The FIM Hard Enduro World Championship heads to Turkey’s Sea To Sky for the sixth and penultimate round of the 2024 season. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler leads the championship chase and will look to strengthen his advantage at what will be the 15th edition of the world’s most enjoyable hard enduro race.

• FIM HEWC set for penultimate round at Turkey’s Sea To Sky

• Event to feature enduro tours and a multi-day race format

• Manuel Lettenbichler leads the way as Billy Bolt returns to racing

It’s all systems go for the penultimate round of the 2024 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship in Turkey for the Sea To Sky. A longstanding race on the hard enduro calendar, this year’s 15th edition of what’s fondly dubbed as ‘the world’s most enjoyable hard enduro race’ will mark its first time in the FIM HEWC.

Sun, sea and hard enduro await

Held in the tourist region of Kemer, and set against the stunning backdrop of the Turkish Riviera, the Sea To Sky is a firm favourite among riders and fans for good reason. The event itself spans five days, featuring two warm-up days of training and enduro tours that take in the spectacular trails of the region.

A three-day race format sees action begin on Thursday with the traditional Beach Race. Friday marks the first important outing for FIM HEWC competitors with the Forest Race also acting as a points-paying race with FIM Qualifying points on offer. The Forest Race is a 45-kilometre time trial, taking in some incredible riding around Kemer.

The all-important Mountain Race, which marks the final day of racing on Saturday October 12, truly embodies the hard enduro spirit. Riders start with their wheels on the shoreline of the Mediterranean Sea before racing head-to-head to the finish line located on the summit of the nearby Olympos Mountain, some 2,365m above sea level. Through sandy beaches, canyon riverbeds, forest tracks and finally scaling rocky mountain peaks, the 65-kilometre course is every bit as spectacular as it is physically demanding.

 Lettenbichler heads championship chase to round six

With the outcome of this year’s championship battle now on everyone’s mind, round six will be a crucial one for those with title aspirations in 2024. Defending champion, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler holds a nine-point lead over Red Bull Leader Tread’s Wade Young. Despite missing round three due to injury, the German has won every other round contested and will look to continue that form in Turkey.

As a three-time winner of the Sea To Sky (in 2023, 2021 and 2018), Young will no doubt be highly motivated to strive for the top step of the podium this weekend. The South African has enjoyed a strong season to date with three podium results, including a race win at round three.

Podium fight remains tight between Roman and Kabakchiev

Lying 16 points behind Lettenbichler in third is Sherco Factory Racing’s Mario Roman, who in turn holds a two-point advantage over his teammate Teodor Kabakchiev in fourth. Roman is also a former winner of the Sea To Sky in 2019, and so knows what it takes to master the Mountain Race. He’ll be eager to use that experience to distance himself from Kabakchiev while bridging a gap to Young in the points race.

Although fourth in the standings, Kabakchiev has only missed the podium once in 2024. Fighting hard to regain his points lost at round two, another strong showing from the Bulgarian could see the battle for the final podium positions shaken up once more.

TTR Squadra Corse’s Mitch Brightmore completes the top five. The Junior rider has been pushing hard to mix it with the best in the overall standings, fast becoming a serious contender at every round. Despite Sea To Sky being a new venue for the Brit, his vast trials experience and youthful determination could play to his advantage. 

Heading to round six, sixth in points, Rigo Racing’s Matthew Green is also a former winner of the Sea To Sky. The young South African topped the podium there in 2022 and would love to excel again in the Turkish Riviera this weekend.

Bolt returns to racing

Making his long-awaited return to racing is Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt. The 2021 world champion, and 2023 vice-champion, has missed out on competition this season due to injury and will prove a welcome addition to the paddock in Kemer. Although race-rusty, the Brit has the talent to deliver a surprise result in his first race back.

AKRAPOVIC Live Experience

Don’t forget, you can follow all the action from round six at Sea To Sky on the AKRAPOVIC Live Experience on iridehardenduro.com. Filled with information, it will feature all the official results, event coverage and schedules to help you stay up to speed with the action.

FIM Hard Enduro World Championship standings (after round five)

1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 90pts

2. Wade Young (GASGAS) 81pts

3. Mario Roman (Sherco) 74pts

4. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 72pts

5. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 60pts

6. Matthew Green (KTM) 45pts

7. Francesc Moret (Sherco) 43pts

8. Alfredo Gomez (Rieju) 37pts

9. Marc Riba (KTM) 31pts

10. David Cyprian (KTM) 28pts