Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s five-time FIM Hard Enduro World Champion Mani Lettenbichler all-set for the 2026 FIM world championship season, along with Erzbergrodeo and Romaniacs.

“Aiming for a fifth-straight Hard Enduro World Championship” tells us all we need to know about Manuel Lettenbichler. Dominant in the world series and at the two biggest events, Erzberg and Romaniacs, he is simply the benchmark for every other rider.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has revealed these images of Lettenbichler alongside his 2026 300 EXC race bike ahead of the opening round of the HEWC season which begins in France at Alestrem on April 17-19.

The German will look to extend his dominance across the HEWC series Red Bull KTM say, potentially spitting in the eye of the off-season debacle surrounding the World Enduro Riders Association (WERA) which dramatically announced some riders would only race six of the nine HEWC events.

Does this mean a change of approach? We’re not sure but it seems the peace talks have worked out for the good in a broad sense between riders and we hope we will see the world champion defending his crown at all scheduled rounds. Or maybe he’ll just do enough...it’s a complicated picture.

The 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship kicks off with the Alestrem in France on April 17-19, followed by rounds in Portugal, the USA, Italy, Sweden, and a return to Italy, before heading to Lesotho and concluding with back-to-back events in Turkey and Spain in October.

2026 Hard Enduro World Championship Calendar:

Round 1: Alestrem, France – April 17–19

Round 2: Extreme Lagares, Portugal – May 1–3

Round 3: Silver Kings, USA – June 18–20

Round 4: Abestone Rodeo Miravalle, Italy – July 10–12

Round 5: Forza Orza, Sweden – August 20–22

Round 6: Wild Woods Extreme, Italy – September 11–13

Round 7: Roof of Africa, Lesotho – September 23–26

Round 8: Sea to Sky, Turkey – October 8–10

Round 9: Hixpania, Spain – October 23–25

Alongside his world championship campaign, Lettenbichler will target Erzberg in June, where he aims to secure a fifth consecutive victory, and Romaniacs in July, where he will be chasing a third straight win and sixth of his career.

Manuel Lettenbichler: “I’m feeling great coming into the 2026 Hard Enduro season, and to kick off with Alestrem is awesome, as it’s a race I’ve really enjoyed in the past. I’ve been really focused on my training over the past few weeks, and I am ready to get the outdoor season underway.

“It’s going to be an interesting and busy season with a nine-round world championship, as well as Romaniacs and Erzberg, so it’s an exciting year for the sport for sure. I’ve got my sights set on the title again, so I’ll give it my all from the first race to make that happen. I have a great team behind me and the bike is perfect, so I can’t wait to get started!”

Fabio Farioli – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Enduro Team Manager: “We’re going into 2026 in a really good place with Mani. Over the last few seasons he’s shown again and again that he’s the best in hard enduro, not just with his speed but also his consistency and mindset in the toughest races. Last year was another strong one for him, and after a busy winter in SuperEnduro, he’s coming into this season well prepared and motivated.

“The goal is clear: to fight for the title again. With Mani and the whole team behind him, we’re confident we can be competitive everywhere, both in the championship and at the big races like Erzberg and Romaniacs.”

Photo Credit: Future7Media | Andrea Belluschi