Red bull Erzbergrodeo 2023
Manuel Lettenbichler triumphs over 500 competitors for historic KTM win
In an exhilarating display of skill and tenacity, Germany’s Manuel Lettenbichler has once again triumphed at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, one of the world’s most prestigious off-road motorcycle races. Powering his KTM through grueling terrain and outpacing a formidable field of 500 competitors, the young racer has not only claimed his second consecutive victory at the event, but also etched his name into the annals of motorsport history. As the dust settles on the iron-rich slopes of the Austrian mine turned racetrack, Lettenbichler emerges as only the seventh racer in 27 editions of the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo to taste victory more than once.
Setting the scene
Anchored in the Austrian mining town of Eisenerz, the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo has earned a formidable reputation as one of the hardest enduro events on the planet. The contest unfolds around the colossal Erzberg mountain, a fully operational mine producing more than three million tons of iron ore each year. Its steep, iron-rich slopes, referred to as the ‘Iron Giant’, serve as the breathtaking backdrop and formidable adversary for the race.
The race is as diverse as it is challenging, attracting a mix of elite professionals and ambitious amateurs, all with a common objective – conquer the Iron Giant. This year, a whopping 500 riders surged off the start line, their sights set on navigating the 27 checkpoints dispersed across a brutally demanding course within a four-hour time limit.
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a brutal dance with the Iron Giant, where survival is victory
Detailed Race Recap
The 25-year-old German phenomenon, Manuel Lettenbichler, didn’t disappoint. Despite a strong start, Lettenbichler spent the early stages of the race in strategic restraint, trailing Britain’s Billy Bolt and Canada’s Trystan Hart. Bolt, on a Husqvarna, had taken the lead after overcoming a crash at the start of the race.
However, Lettenbichler’s patient approach began to pay dividends. After trailing Bolt for one hour and 17 minutes, he spotted an opportunity at the 22nd checkpoint. A decisive pass in this later stage saw him seize the lead from Bolt. Once in front, turned the screws, pulling away from his rivals to establish a commanding lead. His closest challenger, Bolt, was left trailing by a significant 11-minute gap by the end of the race.
In his own words, Lettenbichler described the race and his strategic approach: “I had a really good start, then Billy caught and passed me, and I tried to stay with him, but I couldn’t. He pulled a gap, so I tried to save some energy. When I could see him again, I decided to push, and I would say he was pretty tired. Then I just rode a really good line to pass him.”
This victory not only marked Lettenbichler’s second consecutive win at the Erzbergrodeo, but also solidified his standing at the top of the 2023 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship series. As he reflected on his triumph, he expressed his disbelief at the sizeable lead he had carved out by the finish, adding, “This race is such a crazy motorbike festival and everyone in the world just comes and wants to do this challenge and finish this race. It’s super unique. It feels amazing to win a second time in a row.”
Other Podium Finishers
Billy Bolt of Great Britain, the early race leader, experienced a rollercoaster of a race. Despite a disastrous start that saw him crashing and sustaining damage to his bike, Bolt put on an impressive performance to secure the second position. This marks his best finish at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo to date. Post-race, Bolt revealed the extent of the damage to his bike, which included a bent front disc and a severely dented exhaust. Despite these handicaps, he managed to stay competitive, conceding that when Lettenbichler passed him, he focused on maintaining his position rather than trying to regain the lead.
The third spot on the podium was occupied by Canadian Trystan Hart. Riding a KTM, Hart managed to secure a back-to-back third-place finish at the Erzbergrodeo. However, Hart expressed mixed feelings about his performance, acknowledging a series of early mistakes that cost him the lead. Despite these setbacks, Hart lauded the achievement of earning a podium finish at the challenging event.
Overview of Overall Results
Of the 500 racers who kicked off at the start line, only 17 managed to finish the race within the designated four-hour time limit. These riders demonstrated exceptional skill and endurance to navigate the challenging course and its 27 checkpoints.
Jonny Walker from Great Britain finished fourth, followed by South Africa’s Wade Young in the fifth position. Sixth place went to another British competitor, Graham Jarvis.
A special mention goes to the best-placed local rider, Austrian Michael Walkner, who managed to secure a respectable seventh-place finish. Walkner, a GASGAS rider, is the cousin of 2018 Dakar Rally champion Matthias Walkner.
Also noteworthy is the performance of Austrian Marcel Hirscher, a former Olympic gold medallist and eight-time FIS Alpine Skiing Overall World Cup Champion. Despite being a relative newcomer to the sport, Hirscher, riding a Husqvarna, managed to progress to checkpoint 19, showing a commendable improvement from his performance in the previous year when his race ended at checkpoint 17.
Looking Forward
The 2023 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo may have drawn to a close, but the battle for the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship is far from over. The championship now heads to Romania for ‘Romaniacs’, the next round scheduled from July 25 to 29.
With this victory, Lettenbichler has certainly asserted his dominance, but the championship still has several stages to go, providing opportunities for his rivals to turn the tide. Lettenbichler’s closest competitors, Bolt and Hart, will undoubtedly be keen to narrow the gap in the standings at the upcoming events.
On a broader scale, the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo has once again underlined its status as a unique and challenging event that blends professional and amateur talent in a spectacular fashion. Given the significant interest this year, the 2024 edition is anticipated to draw an even larger pool of riders eager to test their mettle against the ‘Iron Giant’.
Final Results
The final results of the 2023 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo (as of the time of writing) are:
- Manuel Lettenbichler (Germany, KTM) – Completed the race in 2:31:15, marking his second consecutive victory.
- Billy Bolt (Great Britain, Husqvarna) – Finished the race in 2:42:15, achieving his best result in this event despite early race setbacks.
- Trystan Hart (Canada, KTM) – Secured a back-to-back third-place finish, completing the race in 2:57:09.
- Jonny Walker (Great Britain) – Finished fourth with a time of 2:59:30.
- Wade Young (South Africa) – Claimed the fifth position, completing the race in 3:04:21.
- Graham Jarvis (Great Britain) – Finished sixth with a time of 3:13:55.
- Michael Walkner (Austria, GASGAS) – The highest-placed local competitor, finishing seventh in 3:22:18.
- Alfredo Gomez (Spain) – Finished eighth with a time of 3:24:30.
- Teodor Kabakchiev (Bulgaria) – Secured ninth place, completing the race in 3:25:00.
- Cody Webb (United States, Sherco) – Finished in the top ten with a time of 3:29:09.
Only 17 of the 500 starters managed to finish the race, underlining the grueling challenge that the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo poses to even the most seasoned riders.
Wrapping Up the Iron Giant: Reflecting on Red Bull Erzbergrodeo
The 2023 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo once again lived up to its reputation as one of the most challenging and prestigious events in the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship. The stunning backdrop of Eisenerz served as the perfect setting for a race filled with intensity, endurance, and relentless competition.
Manuel Lettenbichler’s victory was a testament to his skill, tenacity, and strategic acumen, as he stormed through a field of 500 competitors to clinch his second consecutive victory at the event. His fellow podium finishers, Billy Bolt and Trystan Hart, also showcased impressive resilience and grit, further enriching the competition’s legacy.
The Erzbergrodeo’s unique blend of professional and amateur riders, challenging terrain, and the unforgiving ‘Iron Giant’ continue to make it a must-watch spectacle in the world of motorsport. As we look ahead to the remaining stages of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, riders, teams, and fans will carry forward the adrenaline-fueled memories from Austria and look forward with anticipation to the challenges ahead.
For those aspiring to ride, be warned: the ‘Iron Giant’ is not for the faint of heart. But for those who conquer it, like Lettenbichler, Bolt, and Hart, the rewards are immense and everlasting. As the dust settles on the 2023 event, the countdown to the 2024 Red Bull Erzbergrodeo begins. A new year, a new challenge, and perhaps, new champions await.
Photos: Philip Platzer, Philipp Carl Riedl, Sam Strauss, / Red Bull Content Pool – Words: Tomás Ferrero
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