[KTM]

LETTENBICHLER ON TOP AT 2025 ROMANIACS

6 months ago | Photos: KTM

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler has claimed his sixth Red Bull Romaniacs title, after capping off an intense week of racing in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains. Lettenbichler topped the final day to take the overall win aboard his KTM 300EXC, bringing him within one victory of equaling the all-time record held by seven-time Red Bull Romaniacs champion Graham Jarvis.

After a highly successful 2024 campaign, Lettenbichler returned to Romania in 2025 with his sights firmly set on a sixth Romaniacs crown. Facing a world-class field of riders and the unforgiving terrain of the Carpathians, the German delivered yet another hard enduro masterclass to take a commanding overall win.

This year’s race began with the traditional SuperEnduro-style prologue in Sibiu, where Lettenbichler placed third and meant he he would lead the field into the mountains for Off-Road Day 1 – a demanding task on one of the event’s longest and most punishing stages. Taking the win by close to seven minutes over his nearest rival, Lettenbichler immediately set the tone for the week ahead.

Thursday’s Off-Road Day 2 saw Lettenbichler once again lead from the front. The first half of the event’s marathon stage, where no outside assistance is allowed, placed extra demands on both rider and machine. Navigating steep climbs, treacherous forest descents, and fast open sections, Lettenbichler extended his overall lead with a second consecutive day win.

Friday saw a spirited battle at the front between Lettenbichler and close rival Billy Bolt. Lettenbichler rode tactically, pushing where it counted while staying in control. Making the minimum of mistakes and conserving energy in the hot conditions, the German crossed the line in second place, just over three minutes down on Bolt, maintaining his overall race lead.

Saturday brought the final test – 102km of classic Romaniacs’ terrain including the infamous final hillclimb. Rising to the challenge, Lettenbichler ultimately cleared the hills and man-made obstacles in style to take his third stage win of the week, securing the overall victory and his sixth career Romaniacs title.

Next up for Lettenbichler and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing is Red Bull Tennessee Knockout, held in the United States from August 8-10.

Manuel Lettenbichler: 
“This feels unreal. My team deserve this win just as much as me. I had some doubts at the beginning of the week, purely because I haven’t been able to train as much as I would have liked coming into this event. I felt under quite a lot of pressure this year. The pace was super high from everyone, and the conditions and heat here in Romania only added to the challenge. I kept my cool all week though, opened up a bit of an advantage on day one, and was able to maintain that to the finish. This has definitely been one of the toughest Romaniacs I have ridden. I think if the weather hadn’t been so dry, the race could have been very different. It’s amazing to take six wins here now, I just need one more to equal Graham, so you can be sure I’ll be back next year to try again.”

Be the first to comment...

You might also like...

KTM

6 days ago

ZAC ALSOP VS THE IMPOSSIBLE HILL CLIMB

Watch Zac Alsop unleash the KTM 450SX-F on the most infamous climb of them all – Belgium’s Andler.

KTM

7 days ago

2026 DAKAR RALLY ENTERS WEEK TWO

Daniel Sanders remains in the rally lead, ahead of Ricky Brabec and teammate Luciano Benavides.

KTM

7 days ago

RED BULL KTM CLAIM SX SEASON OPENER

Eli Tomac claimed victory as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing secured a double podium at A1.

KTM

2 weeks ago

KTM 390 ENDURO R TAKES ROOF OF AFRICA

Watch Ian Rall take on the legendary Roof of Africa aboard a stock KTM 390 Enduro R.

KTM

2 weeks ago

KTM TAKE FIRST STAGE AT 2026 DAKAR RALLY

Edgar Canet took the Stage 1 victory, with reigning champ Daniel Sanders a close second.

KTM

1 month ago

2026 KTM DM31 RACING TEAM UNVEILED

The new roster arises with the announcement of Daniel Milner’s retirement from professional competition.

KTM

1 month ago

KTM’S 2025 390 ‘R’ MODELS: WHERE THEY ‘FIT’

Explainer: Who KTM is targeting with its all-new, Indian-made 390 Adventure R and 390 Enduro R models.

KTM

1 month ago

2026 Transmoto Enduro Events Calendar

Take a seat, crack a cold one and break out the sharpie because here are the much-anticipated 2026 Transmoto Enduro Event dates and locations.