Lettenbichler Clinches Historic Sixth Win at Red Bull Romaniacs 2025 – Bolt and Roman Complete the Podium
Manuel Lettenbichler has once again etched his name in the hard enduro history books, claiming his sixth consecutive Red Bull Romaniacs title in 2025. Despite pressure from rivals Billy Bolt and Mario Roman, the German KTM rider proved unstoppable across four grueling offroad days in the Carpathian Mountains, Romania.
Race Recap: Key Highlights from Each Day
Urban Prologue – Bolt Sets the Tone
The prologue saw Bolt dominate the downtown Sibiu course, securing a clear start for Offroad Day 1. Brightmore and Lettenbichler followed closely, with Kabakchiev and Goggia making up the top five.
Offroad Day 1 – The Game Changer Begins
Dubbed the hardest Day 1 in a decade, the race opened with brutal climbs and descents. Lettenbichler took the early lead ahead of Kabakchiev and Bolt, with Roman and Jarvis rounding out the top five.
Offroad Day 2 – Mani Extends the Gap
A flowing 183km course saw Lettenbichler stretch his lead further, while Bolt delivered a solid ride to climb into second overall. Roman showed improvement but lost time later in the day, slipping behind Kabakchiev in the standings before the latter’s crash the next day.
Offroad Day 3 – Bolt Fights Back
Bolt took the day’s win with a time of 6h11m32s, eating into Mani’s lead. Despite the German crossing the line physically ahead, Bolt’s corrected time earned him a 3-minute advantage. Meanwhile, Roman earned a time bonus after assisting injured teammate Kabakchiev during the stage.
Offroad Day 4: Mani Seals the Deal
Having built a comfortable lead over the previous days, Lettenbichler wasted no time in asserting control during the final stage. Tackling the treacherous Leatt Live Maniacs loop — featuring dry, splintered ramps, wooden jumps, and the infamous Gusterita climb — he crossed the finish line first, sealing both the day’s win and overall title.
“Six in a row! Unreal, simply unreal. Look at the crew—they deserve this victory as much as I do. The pressure was off the chart; the pace was brutal for everyone.”
said Lettenbichler, overwhelmed with emotion
Despite a determined push from Billy Bolt, who started Day 4 with a 13-minute deficit, the Briton couldn’t overhaul Mani’s lead. Bolt finished both the stage and overall standings in second — a commendable performance after missing previous editions due to injury.
“Not the result I usually aim for, but I’m proud of how I rode. Step by step, we’re getting there,”.
said Bolt
Spain’s Mario Roman completed the podium. After battling illness earlier in the week, Roman recovered to secure third, although a poor line choice in “Wolf’s Nest” saw him lose precious minutes to Bolt. His consistency in adversity proved vital for Sherco, especially with teammate Teodor Kabakchiev forced to withdraw due to a broken wrist.
Overall Top 10 – Gold Class, Red Bull Romaniacs 2025:
- Manuel Lettenbichler (GER) – KTM
- Billy Bolt (GBR) – Husqvarna
- Mario Roman (ESP) – Sherco
- Michael Walkner (AUT) – GASGAS
- Graham Jarvis (GBR) – Husqvarna
- Mitch Brightmore (GBR)
- Francesc Moret (ESP)
- Felix Bähker (GER)
- Sonny Goggia (ITA)
- Matthew Green (RSA)
South African rider Matthew Green completed the top 10, over five hours behind Lettenbichler — a stark testament to the blistering pace set by the frontrunners.
Legacy in the Making
Lettenbichler now sits just one win behind Graham Jarvis’s record of seven Red Bull Romaniacs victories. With every year, the competition stiffens, yet Mani continues to rise to the occasion, blending navigation mastery, technical precision, and relentless endurance.
As Bolt rebuilds momentum and Roman remains ever-resilient, the 2025 Red Bull Romaniacs edition reminded us why this race is the crown jewel of hard enduro — punishing, unpredictable, and unforgettable.
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