KIWI RIDER 01 2020 VOL2 | Page 18

MANUEL LETTENBICHLER SIGNS WITH RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING T hroughout 2019 Manuel Lettenbichler established himself as one of the world’s leading enduro competitors and that has now paid off with an official contract with enduro powerhouse KTM. With victories at Red Bull Romaniacs and GetzenRodeo, plus podium results at Extreme XL Lagares, Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble and the Hawkstone Park Cross-Country, he achieved a total of seven top-five results from eight championship starts, on route to securing his debut WESS world title. Additionally, Lettenbichler added further silverware to his 2019 trophy cabinet by winning the AMA Extreme Offroad Grand Championship when he became the first non-American rider to win the Tennessee Knockout Extreme Enduro. After first switching to extreme enduro in 2014 aged just 16 after securing his fifth German Youth Trials Championship, Lettenbichler was quick to show promise. He became the youngest-ever finisher at the Erzbergrodeo, Red Bull Sea to Sky and GetzenRodeo, all during his debut 18 KIWI RIDER season. In 2016 he convincingly won the FIM SuperEnduro Junior World Championship with 15 race wins from 18 starts. A debut international enduro podium result at the inaugural round of the World Enduro Super Series in 2018 was followed up by two further podium results at Erzbergrodeo and Red Bull Romaniacs. These performances established the then KTM privateer as one of the championship’s leading contenders. Lettenbichler’s approachable and friendly attitude has meant he’s quickly become a firm favourite with enduro fans around the world and is now one of the most exciting, entertaining and professional enduro prospects. Lettenbichler joins Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders Jonny Walker, Josep Garcia and Nathan Watson for 2020, where he’ll aim to successfully defend his WESS Enduro World Championship crown. Additionally, the young German will also contest selected AMA U.S. Extreme Offroad events.