LETTENBICHLER ON VERGE OF FIFTH HEWC TITLE

Manuel Lettenbichler stormed from the third row to win Turkey’s Sea to Sky by more than four minutes aboard his KTM 300EXC, leaving him one round from a record fifth consecutive HEWC world title.

A brake issue, a 10-minute penalty and a third-row start – none of it mattered once KTM’s Manuel Lettenbichler hit the mountain. Here’s the Red Bull KTM team’s take on how the talented and uber-consistent German wrapped up the penultimate round of the Hard Enduro World Championship’s infamous Sea to Sky race in Turkey…

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler has secured a commanding win at Turkey’s Sea to Sky. Marking the penultimate round of the 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship (HEWC), Lettenbichler raced his KTM 300EXC to victory by over four minutes.

Racing for the three-day Sea to Sky event in Kemer, Turkey, began with the fan-favorite Beach Race on Thursday. Situated on the Mediterranean coastline, the multi-heat format saw riders qualify through to the final. Although these were not quite Mani’s preferred conditions, the German fought hard in the deep sand and man-made obstacles to end his day in fifth place.

Friday saw riders gather for the Forest Race time trial. Forty kilometres in length, the course navigated its way through the forest surrounding Kemer. Despite overcoming a brake issue, Mani did enough to initially secure a top-five result. However, a 10-minute time penalty ultimately knocked him back to 15th. But knowing that he was riding well, and with the all-important Mountain Race still to come, Lettenbichler was determined to reach the infamous finish line at the top of Mount Olympos on his KTM 300EXC as the winner.

From a third-row start, Mani attacked the Mountain Race like only the five-time world champion could. Quickly picking off riders as he raced his way up the mountain on the 64km course, it didn’t take long for him to reach the front of the field. After a battle with his closest rival, Teo Kabakchiev, Mani began to pull ahead. Mastering the final difficult sections of the race with ease, he crossed the mountain summit finish line as the winner of the 2026 Sea to Sky by over four minutes.

Strengthening his grip on the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, Lettenbichler will look to claim a record-breaking fifth consecutive world title, while increasing his overall tally to six, at the final round of the season at Hixpania Hard Enduro in Spain, on October 23-25.

Manuel Lettenbichler: “I really wanted that victory today, but I wasn’t quite sure how it would go. I felt like I needed to get my ‘inner-dog’ out and give it my all. Overall, it’s been an up-and-down event for me. Fifth in the Beach Race, but then having some brake issues in the Forest Race and getting a time penalty put me back to 15th. But throughout all of that, I knew I felt good on the bike and that I just needed to put myself into a good position early on in the Mountain Race. From the third row, I had to push hard. With a good start, I focused on working my way forward as best as I could. When I got into the lead, I rode with Teo for a bit before pulling away. I’m stoked with the win and also strengthening my position in the championship with just one round to go.”

RESULTS – 2026 SEA TO SKY

1. Manuel Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, 3:40:01.78
2. Teodor Kabakchiev (BUL), Sherco, 3:44:01.89 +4:00
3. Mario Roman (ESP), Husqvarna, 3:44:12.88 +4:11
4. James Moore (RSA), Beta, 3:54:27.97 +14:26
5. Mitch Brightmore (GBR), GASGAS, 3:56:22.79 +16:21

STANDINGS – 2026 FIM HEWC (after 7 of 8 rounds)

1. Manuel Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, 177 pts
2. Mitch Brightmore (GBR), GASGAS, 139 pts
3. Teodor Kabakchiev (BUL), Sherco, 124 pts
4. Ashton Brightmore (GBR), GASGAS, 104 pts
5. James Moore (GBR), Beta, 86 pts