Manuel Lettenbichler finished in third place at the 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro to keep his 2021 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship hopes alive heading into the final event.
Lettenbichler went into the penultimate race of the season just one point behind Billy Bolt in the championship standings and was hoping to finish ahead of the Brit in Spain.
Bolt topped proceedings on Friday and Saturday and was looking to extend his advantage with victory in Sunday’s The Lost Way race. However, it was fellow Husqvarna Factory Racing teammate Alfredo Gomez who triumphed on home soil.
The Spaniard was fast and clinical around the intense five-kilometre course, barely putting a wheel out of place as he found his flow on the technical rocky climbs and steep quarry walls.
Despite a late push from Bolt, Gomez had enough in hand entering the final extreme loop. Mastering the last climb, the Spaniard crossed the finish line as the well-deserved winner.
Bolt failed to hit the rhythm he’d shown during the previous two days and found himself down in third after the first lap. However, he was able to overtake Lettenbichler and secure second, leaving the Red Bull KTM Factory racer to settle for third.
Gomez said: “I’m so happy to take the win here in 24MX Hixpania Hard Enduro, it’s definitely been a tough race, but it feels so good to do it in front of the Spanish fans. It felt awesome to cross the finish line as the winner.”
Bolt said: “The second half of the race went much better. I made a bit of a gap on Mani and even started to claw back some time on Alfredo ahead, but it was too little, too late. Full credit to Alfredo today, he was in a different league.”
Lettenbichler said: “I think I rode a good race and I’m happy to finish on the podium again. The guys ahead were riding really well, and with today’s result it means I’m three points behind Billy going into my home race at GetzenRodeo, so there is everything still to play for. I’m really excited for that one, and I’ll give it my best as always.”
The 2021 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship concludes with the eighth and final round of the season at Germany’s GetzenRodeo on October 30.
Hixpania Hard Enduro result:
1. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 2:35:49.125
2. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 2:37:04.784
3. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 2:39:45.529
4. Mario Roman (Sherco) 2:45:59.409
5. Wade Young (Sherco + 2 laps
2021 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship standings (after 7 of 8 rounds)
1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 87pts
2. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 84pts
3. Wade Young (Sherco) 71pts
4. Mario Roman (Sherco) 61pts
5. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 53pts