FIM Hard Enduro World Championship Heads To Wales For 2024 Season Opener

The 2024 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship gets underway this coming weekend with the eagerly anticipated Valleys Hard Enduro in Wales, United Kingdom. From May 10-12, the Walters Arena in South Wales will become the global hub for Hard Enduro as the world’s best riders take to the start at round one.

As the reigning FIM Hard Enduro World Champion, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler enters the season opener as the rider to beat having gone undefeated in 2023. The FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM looks wide open, with a whole host of young talent eager to make their presence felt.

• 2024 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship begins in United Kingdom

• Valleys Hard Enduro set to host round one in South Wales

• Racing takes place from May 10-12

As the first of seven races in 2024, the Valleys Hard Enduro will see the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship roar into action this weekend. Eagerly awaited by British Hard Enduro competitors and fans, this will be the first time the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship takes place in the United Kingdom.

A new event for all, the Valleys Hard Enduro is set to deliver an exciting start to the season. Held at the 4,000-acre Walters Arena, the venue is synonymous with two-wheeled motorsport in the United Kingdom. Over the last 20 years, event organisers Outdoor Welsh Events have staged many high calibre off-road races there.

With the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship ready to call it home this weekend, racing begins on Friday with a SuperEnduro style prologue. Through a series of heat races, competitors will battle it out for a place in the 12-rider final. With championship points on the line, it’s set to become an explosive start to round one.

On Saturday, competitors will complete a Time Trial on a 10-kilometre course. The quickest time of two runs will see the top 100 qualify through to Sunday’s main event. Those who don’t make the cut will race Sunday morning’s two-and-a-half-hour race. Through a mixture of high-speed tracks and technical elements, it will prove a fun warm-up for all.

Getting down to the business end of round one, Sunday features a morning and afternoon multi-lap Hard Enduro. The morning race is for those who didn’t achieve a top 100 result in Saturday’s qualification Time Trial.

The fastest 100 take to the start line in the afternoon for a three-hour plus one lap Hard Enduro. Across a 16-kilometre-long course, with increased difficulty over the morning race, it will be a winner-takes-all battle to the finish line for round one.

Manuel Lettenbichler heads a strong line-up at round one

As the defending FIM Hard Enduro World Champion, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler starts as the rider to beat. The German made history in 2023 by becoming the first competitor to go undefeated in a single HEWC season. Aiming for his third straight world title, it will be difficult to bet against Lettenbichler.

The Sherco Factory Racing duo of Teodor Kabakchiev and Mario Roman are eager to stop Lettenbichler from topping the podium at round one. Finishing fourth overall in 2023, Roman will look to better that score this year. The Spaniard typically favours the longer, multi-day race formats but will hope that his Trial skills give him an advantage on the slick Welsh climbs.

Since moving to Sherco machinery for 2024, Kabakchiev has enjoyed a productive off-season and is quickly finding his feet on his new bike. Hungry for success, the Bulgarian wants to deliver a strong performance on his debut world championship outing with his new team. 

South African Wade Young will arrive at round one in new colours with Red Bull Leader Tread. A busy winter program for Young has him fired up and highly motivated for the year ahead.

As the reigning FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Champion, TTR Squadra Corse’s Mitch Brightmore moves up to the senior ranks for 2024. Brightmore was one of the standout performers during 2023. On home soil for round one, and with plenty of support behind him, Mitch has the potential to claim a podium result at the Valleys Hard Enduro if things go his way.

Adding further spice to the proceedings, 2022 FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Champion Matthew Green also makes a full move to senior class competition this year. The Rigo Racing rider battled hard with Brightmore in 2023 and it will be exciting to see that competitiveness continue at round one.

Will Hoare is another British competitor who will be fired up for his home race. The RIEJU Factory Racing rider has lifted his game since receiving factory support this winter and will aim to reward RIEJU’s faith in him with a promising performance. He’s joined by teammate Alfredo Gomez at round one.

Last but not least, wildcard entry Red Bull Beta’s Jonny Walker will give the home crowd plenty to cheer about. Walker is certain to get in the mix of the championship regulars and will be a contender for a place on the final podium on Sunday evening.

Junior championship proving competitive for 2024

With both Mitch Brightmore and Matthew Green moving up to the senior ranks for 2024, the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM will see a new champion crowned this year. 

Beta UK’s Richard Moorhouse finished third in the final 2023 championship standings to Mitch Brightmore and Matthew Green. At round one, and at his home race, he will be fired up to take over where the top two left off. But Moorhouse will have company in the fight for the top step of the podium.

TTR Squadra Corse’s Ashton Brightmore ended 2023 on a high with two podium results and will look to keep the Brightmore family name at the top of the Junior class in Wales. Ashton also won the FIM SuperEnduro Junior World Championship this winter and, like his brother Mitch, has his sights set on adding the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM title to his collection.

Although missing the majority of the 2023 season, Israel’s Suff Sella (KTM) is well-versed in Hard Enduro. A strong opponent for Moorhouse and Ashton Brightmore, Sella could prove a dark horse for a surprise result this weekend. Other riders to keep a watchful eye on include Marc Fernandez (KTM), Burts Crayston (KTM UK Triple D Motorsport) and Leon Volland (KTM Motoroox).

The 2024 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship begins with round one at Valleys Hard Enduro in Wales, United Kingdom on May 10-12.

Valleys Hard Enduro event information: https://valleyshardenduro.com/

Updated entry list: https://www.webscorer.com/registerlist?raceid=322750