Mani Lettenbichler Tops Pro Hot Lap At Red Bull TKO

Action is underway in Tennessee, USA, for Red Bull TKO, round five of the 2024 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship. The event kicked off with a short demonstration prologue in downtown Nashville on Thursday, where Cody Webb topped the timesheets in an all-American top-three. The world’s best hard enduro riders took on the Pro Hot Lap on Saturday afternoon, with championship leader Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler qualifying fastest by nine seconds.

• KTM’s Mani Lettenbichler qualifies fastest for Sunday’s Knockout races

• FactoryONE Sherco’s Cody Webb tops demonstration prologue in Nashville

• Sunday will see riders tackle a series of tough, knockout-style races

 The hard enduro crowds headed to downtown Nashville on Thursday evening for an exciting straight rhythm-style Red Bull Tennessee Knockout prologue on Lower Broadway Street. The demonstration race saw 16 of the best hard enduro riders invited to take on the course, featuring enduro legends and new talent alike. Going down to the wire, Cody Webb put in an impressive ride to take the win, with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Colton Haaker settling for second after a small mistake cost him the top spot. Completing the all-American podium was Haaker’s teammate Ryder LeBlond.

Over the course of Friday and Saturday, a series of qualifiers took place for the 500 amateur competitors taking on the 14th edition of Red Bull TKO, ending with the Pro Hot Lap on Saturday afternoon. With championship points awarded to the top three, and start positions for Sunday’s TKO Race #1 on the line, it was all to play for.

 Conquering the pro short course in just over six minutes, it was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Mani Lettenbichler who came out on top, claiming three championship points and ensuring he has the best start position on Sunday morning. Despite taking just six minutes to complete, the pro short course was tough, notably due to the huge, slippery hill mid-way through the lap, which caused problems for many riders. Completing the lap nine seconds down on Mani was Red Bull Leader Tread’s Wade Young who was awarded two championship points, with FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Trystan Hart just one second behind in third. 

British youngster Ashton Brightmore put in an impressive ride to clock the fourth fastest time on the short course, setting himself up nicely for Sunday’s knockout races. Sherco Factory Racing’s Mario Roman was just three seconds behind in fifth, but claimed one valuable championship point as the third-fastest FIM HEWC rider.

AKRAPOVIC Live Experience
You can keep up with all the action from round five at Red Bull TKO 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.

Round five of the 2024 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship continues on Sunday, 25 August, with three knockout-style races left to contest before the 2024 Red Bull TKO winner can be crowned.

Provisional Results: FIM HEWC Round Five, Red Bull TKO

Pro Hot Lap
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 6:05.90
2. Wade Young (GASGAS) 6:14.95
3. Mario Roman (Sherco) 6:22.81