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Valleys Hard Enduro set to launch 2024 Fim Hard Enduro World Championship this weekend – Preview, Event info and Entry lists

Valleys Hard Enduro set to launch 2024 Fim Hard Enduro World Championship this weekend

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.

Words and Images by FIM Hard Enduro

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/

Venue

Walters Arena
South Wales
SA11 5TU

Timetable

Tickets

Spectators can buy your tickets via this link >> https://valleyshardenduro.eventbrite.co.uk/
Or you can pay on the day, but cash only due to poor signal.

Entry List

Bib Name Category
3 Didier Goirand FIM World Championship (Points)
4 Matthew Green FIM World Championship (Points)
5 Valentino Hutter FIM Junior World Championship (Points)
8 Barnabás Csizmazia FIM Junior World Championship (Points)
9 Klaus Bischof FIM Junior World Championship (Points)
11 David Cyprian FIM World Championship (Points)
12 Mitch Brightmore FIM World Championship (Points)
14 Leon Volland FIM Junior World Championship (Points)
17 Ramon Bregoli FIM World Championship (Points)
18 Marc Riba Lazaro FIM World Championship (Points)
19 Lenny Geretzky FIM Junior World Championship (Points)
21 Ashton Brightmore FIM Junior World Championship (Points)
22 Jonny Walker Championship
23 Suff Sella FIM Junior World Championship (Points)
24 Turbat Purevbat FIM Junior World Championship (Points)
25 Burts Crayston FIM Junior World Championship (Points)
26 James Moore FIM Junior World Championship (Points)
27 Marc Fernandez Serra FIM Junior World Championship (Points)
28 Will Hoare FIM World Championship (Points)
29 Thomas Scales FIM Junior World Championship (Points)
34 Hugo Crozet FIM Junior World Championship (Points)
37 Sonny Goggia FIM World Championship (Points)
38 Václav Nedvěd FIM World Championship (Points)
39 Teodor Kabakchiev FIM World Championship (Points)
40 Alfredo Gomez FIM World Championship (Points)
41 Mario Roman FIM World Championship (Points)
42 Mark Kirby FIM World Championship (Points)
44 Agus Pascal FIM Junior World Championship (Points)
55 Wade Young FIM World Championship (Points)
100 Charlie Frost Championship
102 Kip Herring Championship
103 Dan Peace Championship
104 Jared Lambe Championship
105 Dieter Rudolf Championship
106 Redford Chugg Championship
108 Niccolo Camponovo Championship
109 Wanja Morlinghaus Championship
110 Ben Grohmer Championship
114 Kenny Henderson Championship
115 Richard Moorhouse FIM Junior World Championship (Points)
116 Francesc Moret Clota Championship
118 Jason Balmer Expert
119 Lawrie Davies Expert
120 Jed Balmer Expert
121 Sheldon Seal Expert
122 Myles Saunders Expert
123 Marcus Morgan Expert
124 Bert Boam Expert
125 Jack Barwick Expert
126 Daniel Connolly Expert
127 James Carr Expert
128 Roman Pilling Expert
129 Fernando Pascal Expert
130 Connor Atkinson Expert
131 Will Cawte Expert
132 Ben Tennant Expert
133 Toby Shaw Expert
134 Corey Llewellyn Expert
135 Jason Hirst Expert
136 Michael Urry Expert
137 Barry Donaghy Expert
138 Jack Chapman Expert
139 Alfie Royle Expert
140 Jack Berry Expert
141 Ken Hogan Expert
142 Cynan Jones Expert
143 Cody Greening Expert
144 Jack Winn Expert
145 Rhys Davies Expert
146 Jamie Cahill Expert
147 Chris Garland Expert
148 Charles Jones Expert
149 Will Stansbie Expert
150 Matt Stuttard Expert
151 Thomas Middleton Clubman
152 Stephen Gilfillan Clubman
153 Jamie Berry Clubman
154 Mason Pritchard Clubman
155 Iestyn Evans Clubman
157 Brad Copeland Clubman
158 Rob Shanahan Clubman
159 Simon Hamilton Clubman
160 Jakob Blazovich Clubman
161 Brendan Foley Clubman
162 Kevin Fitzgerald Clubman
163 Calum Hill Clubman
164 Garry Wells Clubman
165 Craig Turnbull Clubman
166 Jordan Walters Clubman
167 Matthew Smith Clubman
168 Nat Leadbitter Clubman
169 Cameron Macro Clubman
170 Nathan Parker Clubman
171 Andre Steyn Clubman
172 Andy Kay Clubman
173 Lance Codner Clubman
174 Liam Crisp Clubman
175 Eddie Doolan Clubman
176 Ryan Potter Clubman
177 Liam Owens Clubman
178 Kevin Shiels Clubman
179 Garan Howell Clubman
180 Gary Carter Clubman
181 Ryan Perry Clubman
182 Ben Francis Clubman
183 David Clark Clubman
184 Kalvis Kuskis Clubman
185 Danny Calkin Clubman
186 Stuart Stevens Clubman
187 Morgan Mckenna Clubman
188 Mitch Parkes Clubman
189 Mike Taylor Clubman
190 Nick Wharton Clubman
191 Oliver Yeardley. Clubman
192 Jae Jarvis Clubman
193 Ioan Heycock Clubman
194 Jessiejames Price Clubman
195 Callum Cottle Clubman
196 Ben Sandford Clubman
197 Edward Nijk Clubman
198 Joe Sandford Clubman
199 Hielke Engeltjes Clubman
200 Pip Moore Clubman
201 Josh William Butcher Clubman
202 John Lumley Elite Vets 40+
204 Richard Wozencroft Elite Vets 40+
205 Ben Boare Elite Vets 40+
207 James Redfern Elite Vets 40+
208 Andrew Smith Elite Vets 40+
209 Lee Durrant Elite Vets 40+
210 Rene Jerbach Elite Vets 40+
211 Kristjan Kuill Elite Vets 40+
212 Timo Jungmann Elite Vets 40+
213 Marc Font Torres FIM World Championship (Points)
214 Jeremy Cahill Elite Vets 40+
215 Jason Macbeth Elite Vets 40+
216 Jason Pearce Elite Vets 40+
217 Thomas Williams Clubman
218 Kevin Brooks Clubman
219 Callum Scott Clubman
220 Simon Booth Clubman
221 Marc Francis Vets 40+
222 Graham Dickinson Vets 40+
223 James Ramsden Vets 40+
224 Paul Daley-Smith Vets 40+
225 Kenny Dennison Vets 40+
226 Matthew Wilcox Vets 40+
227 Ben Roper Vets 40+
228 Nathan Evans Vets 40+
229 Matthew Williams Vets 40+
230 Lloyd Matthew Hannon Vets 40+
231 Jonathan Leslie Lambert-Cousins Vets 40+
232 Craig Stephens Vets 40+
233 Mark Mealham Vets 40+
234 Craig Francis Vets 40+
235 Adam Gordon Vets 40+
236 Lee Thornton Vets 40+
241 Adrian Broughton Vets 50+
242 Lee Cornish Vets 50+
243 Stevie Hanna Vets 50+
244 Tony Williams Vets 50+
245 Damian Whyte Vets 50+
246 Philip Borley Vets 50+
247 Simon Nutter Vets 50+
248 Carl Tennant Vets 50+
249 Max Maidman Vets 50+
250 Neil Hackett Vets 50+
251 Paul Westgarth Vets 50+
252 Derry Milling Vets 50+
253 Charles Lamb Vets 50+
254 Albert Garcia Vets 50+
255 Maciej Caputa Sportsman
256 Rory Jones Sportsman
257 Robert Graham Sportsman
258 Dylan Fairley Sportsman
259 Joe Carpenter Sportsman
260 Josh Betson Sportsman
261 Botond Pepela Sportsman
262 Wayne Barnes Sportsman
263 Aled Hayward Sportsman
264 David Deak Deak Sportsman
265 Rhys Williams Sportsman
266 Charles Nowell Sportsman
267 Billy Thornton Sportsman
268 Adam Ainslie Sportsman
269 Jason Gibbons Sportsman
270 Liam Rees Sportsman
271 Ross Ingram Sportsman
272 Paul Christian Sportsman
273 Ryan Davenport Sportsman
274 Michael Chandler Sportsman
275 Luke Procter Sportsman
276 Andy Byram Sportsman
277 John Campbell Sportsman
278 Damon Bancroft Sportsman
279 Charlie Farrer Sportsman
280 Jack Maidman Sportsman
281 Daniel Kay Sportsman
282 Neil Croxton Sportsman
283 Kieran Heycock Sportsman
284 Mark Rushton Sportsman
285 Alastair Reeve Sportsman
286 Nigel E Bowden Sportsman
287 Daniel Williams Sportsman
288 Cai Davies Sportsman
289 Paul Hunt Sportsman
290 Louis O’Regan Sportsman
291 Gareth Denman Sportsman
292 Jordan Richards Sportsman
293 Ashley Saunders Sportsman
294 Jamie Rees Sportsman
295 Conal McDonough Vets 40+
297 Dorian Bedron Youth 12yr – 16yr
298 Curtis Mealham Youth 12yr – 16yr
299 Harvey H Ridge Youth 12yr – 16yr
300 Alex Andrews Youth 12yr – 16yr
301 Inguss Supe Youth 12yr – 16yr
304 Manuel Lettenbichler FIM World Championship (Points)

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