Lettenbichler Completes Clean Sweep at Extreme XL Lagares 2026
Round two of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship 2026 delivered high drama and elite-level racing in Portugal, as Manuel Lettenbichler produced a flawless performance to dominate the Extreme XL Lagares.
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing star completed a perfect weekend, winning all three days of competition and storming into the championship lead with a commanding points advantage.
A Perfect Weekend in Portugal
Lettenbichler set the benchmark early by taking a convincing victory in Friday’s Endurocode Stage, finishing over three minutes clear of the field on the demanding 60-kilometre course.
He carried that momentum into Saturday’s gruelling 120-kilometre Extreme Penafiel race, once again proving untouchable. With a winning margin of more than eight minutes, the German rider showed complete control across the rugged terrain.
Sunday’s main event brought a tighter battle, but Lettenbichler remained composed under pressure. In a thrilling two-hour-plus-one-lap race, he held off a late charge from Mitch Brightmore to secure victory by just 7.9 seconds—completing a clean sweep and maximum points haul.
Brightmore and Kabakchiev Round Out the Podium
Brightmore delivered one of his strongest performances to date, pushing Lettenbichler to the limit in the final stages and finishing a close second.
Teodor Kabakchiev secured third place for Sherco Factory Racing, finishing over four minutes behind the leader after a consistent ride throughout the weekend.
Spain’s Mario Roman claimed fourth, while Billy Bolt rounded out the top five despite racing through injury.
Bolt Battles Through Injury
Riding for Husqvarna Factory Racing, Bolt entered the event with a hand injury and focused on damage limitation. Despite the setback, the British rider delivered a resilient performance—finishing seventh in Saturday’s race and fifth in Sunday’s main event.
His efforts ensure he remains firmly in the championship fight, holding third place overall after two rounds.
South African Focus: Tough Weekend but Valuable Points
From a South African perspective, Wade Young faced a challenging outing but still secured a top-10 finish, placing eighth overall.
Fellow South African Matthew Green also battled through the demanding course to finish inside the top 15. While not podium results, both riders demonstrated resilience on one of the toughest stops on the calendar.
Their performances highlight South Africa’s continued presence in the global hard enduro scene, with valuable championship points earned as the season progresses.
Provisional Results – Extreme XL Lagares 2026
- Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) – 2:24:05
- Mitch Brightmore (GASGAS) – 2:24:13 (+7.9)
- Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) – 2:28:32 (+4:27.2)
- Mario Roman (Husqvarna) – 2:29:24 (+5:19.4)
- Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) – 2:29:47 (+5:41.9)
Championship Standings (After Round 2)
- Manuel Lettenbichler – 61 pts
- Teodor Kabakchiev – 46 pts
- Billy Bolt – 44 pts
- Mitch Brightmore – 43 pts
- Mario Roman – 35 pts
Championship Momentum Builds
With maximum points from Portugal, Lettenbichler now leads the championship by 15 points as he continues his pursuit of a fifth consecutive world title.
The series now heads to the United States for round three, while the spotlight also turns to the legendary Red Bull Erzbergrodeo in Austria.
For South African fans, attention remains on Wade Young and Matthew Green as they aim to climb the standings and challenge for stronger finishes in the upcoming rounds.
