If anyone is currently setting the pace in hard enduro, it's Manuel Lettenbichler. The German enters the 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship season as the defending champion – and the situation is clear: anything other than another title would be a surprise.
The scale of the scene
Lettenbichler hasn't just ridden his way to the top in recent years, he's firmly established himself there. Five world championship titles speak for themselves, and four race wins and two further podium finishes in the 2025 season underscore just how consistently high his level is. It's this combination of control, race intelligence, and physical strength that currently makes him unassailable in hard enduro.
The fact that he also competed in the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship during the winter fits the picture. Despite missing two races, he still managed sixth place in the overall standings – not a result that immediately stands out, but one that demonstrates his versatility. Indoor, outdoor, extreme racing: Lettenbichler performs in every environment.
A season start with character
The new season kicks off with the Alestrem in France – a race known for its brutal conditions and which also serves as a benchmark for the rest of the series. Afterwards, the series traverses several continents: Portugal, the USA, Italy, Sweden, Italy again, Lesotho, and a final double-header in Turkey and Spain.
Nine races, diverse terrain, constantly changing demands – precisely the environment in which it's decided who is truly complete. For Lettenbichler, it's less a question of speed than consistency. Avoiding mistakes becomes the key currency.
More than just a World Cup
What makes the 2026 season even more special: In addition to the World Championship, two of the most prestigious individual races are on the calendar.
At the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo Lettenbichler starts with the goal of securing his fifth consecutive victory – a historic statement, should he succeed. Hardly any race embodies the DNA of hard enduro as much as the Erzberg: short distance, maximum difficulty, no second chances.
With the Red Bull Romaniacs A completely different challenge awaits a few weeks later. Multi-day, tactical, and grueling – and also on terrain where Lettenbichler has long since set the standard. He already has two consecutive victories here; a third would further cement his dominance.
Self-confidence as a constant
“I feel really good ahead of the season,” says Lettenbichler himself. He is particularly looking forward to the opening race in France; the preparation has been intensive, and the package of team and motorcycle is just right.
What's striking isn't so much what he says, but how he says it. No grand pathos, no exaggerated pronouncements – rather a sober clarity. The ambition is there, but it's not staged. That perfectly matches his presence on the bike.
The real challenge
Lettenbichler's biggest challenge in 2026 lies less in the competition than in maintaining consistency across an extremely packed schedule. The World Championship series, Erzberg, Romaniacs – physically and mentally, this is a limiting factor, even for a dominant rider.
But this is precisely where his strength lies. While other riders shine in isolated bursts, Lettenbichler delivers consistently over months. This ability to maintain his performance could once again be the decisive factor this season.
The situation is therefore clear: The defending champion starts not only as the favorite, but as the benchmark. And everything indicates that this will not change anytime soon.