Round four of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship gets underway this weekend at Italy’s Red Bull Abestone as Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt holds the lead in this year’s championship chase heading to the halfway point of the season. Here is all you need to know:
– Gearing up for its second edition, Red Bull Abestone has already become a firm favourite for Hard Enduro fans thanks to its incredible landscape, tough riding, and awesome hospitality.
– Nestled high up in the Tuscany mountains, it’s a rare treat to ride the trails on dirt bikes from deep on the forest floor to the ear-popping mountain peaks of almost 2,000 metres.
– After being successfully introduced onto the Hard Enduro calendar by experienced racer Michele Bosi, the event has grown again in stature for 2022 and – after taking onboard rider feedback – the event will be staged across three days, offering a strong balance of riding to suit all abilities.
– Friday offers the chance for competitors to stretch their legs on the Hard Enduro training loop in the mountains, while Saturday will signal the start of the racing with the JUST1 qualification.
– A 15-kilometre-long course will be ridden twice in the morning (Q1) and twice in the afternoon (Q2), with the combination of the fastest lap time from Q1 and Q2 counting towards Sunday’s racing.
– The top 30 riders will advance to the LIQUI MOLY grand final on Sunday afternoon, while those outside the top 30 race the two-hour MITAS final that morning. As a bonus, the top 16 from the JUST1 qualification will get the chance to race in the Straight Rhythm shootout on Saturday evening.
– All eyes will then turn to the LIQUI MOLY FINAL to determine the winner with this year’s start line at 1,953 metres above sea level at the Abetone gondola creating a spectacular backdrop before two laps of a track that’s 31 kilometres long with multiple signature sections to negotiate.
– Briton Bolt holds the upper hand with a two-point title lead over Sherco Factory Racing’s Mario Roman leaving Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler a further three points behind in third.
– With numerous injuries to contend with so far this season, Bolt has yet to show his true form and, hungry to pocket a win, he will be aiming to repeat his Red Bull Abestone victory from 2021.
– Roman is already a race winner in 2022 thanks to his victory at Israel’s Minus 400, while victory at both Xross Hard Enduro and Red Bull Erzbergrodeo puts Lettenbichler as a danger man to both Roman and Bolt as he chases his third win on the bounce at Red Bull Abestone.
– In the Junior class, Rigo Racing’s Matt Green has proven to be the rider to beat so far with the young South African winning both rounds at Xross Hard Enduro and Red Bull Erzbergrodeo leaving Mitchell Brightmore (Rieju) and AG Racing Team 89’s Suff Sella (KTM) in second and third.
Championship Standings (After round three)
1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 45 points
2. Mario Roman (Sherco) 43
3. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 40
4. Alfredo Gomez (GASGAS) 34
5. Wade Young (Sherco) 32
6. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 30
7. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 29
Remaining 2022 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship calendar
Round 4: Red Bull Abestone – Italy, July 9/10
Round 5: Red Bull Romaniacs – Romania, July 26/27/28/29/30
Round 6: Red Bull TKO – USA, August 13/14
Round 7: Red Bull Outliers – Canada, August 27/28
Round 8: Hixpania Hard Enduro – Spain, October 7/8/9
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