Lettenbichler Equals Jarvis Record at Romaniacs as HEWC Regulars Fill the Sibiu Podium
Manuel Lettenbichler has written his name alongside Graham Jarvis in the Red Bull Romaniacs record books, sealing a seventh Gold-class victory at the 2026 "Unstoppable" edition in Sibiu, Romania. The German completed the Prologue and four Offroad Days in a combined 22 hours, 14 minutes and 41 seconds, finishing one hour, three minutes and 27 seconds clear of Teodor Kabakchiev.
Red Bull Romaniacs is not a round of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship and carries no HEWC points. But with the top five in Gold made up entirely of HEWC-registered riders, the five days in the Carpathians offered the clearest form guide yet ahead of the championship's return to racing.
Five Days, One Record
Kabakchiev drew first blood, passing Lettenbichler late to win the Gold Class Prologue in central Sibiu, with Mitch Brightmore second and Lettenbichler third. The order flipped once the race reached the mountains. Despite a battery problem that forced him to stop and work on his KTM, Lettenbichler pulled clear through the Octopus LIVEmaniacs section to end Offroad Day 1 seven minutes and 58 seconds ahead.
He extended that on Day 2 — 12 minutes and 19 seconds up on Kabakchiev despite a crash in the trials-style Rocks 'n' Roll section. Kabakchiev clawed back 53 seconds on Day 3, but a dominant final day, completed in five hours, 28 minutes and 36 seconds, put the result beyond doubt.
Moore's Breakthrough, Roman's Adventure Win
Behind the leading pair, South Africa's James Moore claimed his first Romaniacs Gold podium in third, ahead of compatriot Matthew Green and Mitch Brightmore. Michael Walkner was sixth, with Lorenzo Gandola seventh and Ashton Brightmore completing the distance in 19th.
Mario Roman took a breakthrough Adventure Ultimate victory aboard the CFMOTO 450MT — a reminder of the versatility the discipline now demands.
The Kit Behind the Result
Hard Enduro is as much an equipment sport as a fitness one, and five days of Romanian rock puts every component under review. Plews Tyres — exclusive tyre partner of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship from 2026 to 2028, with on-site support at every round — counts Roman among its riders after the biggest deal in the company's history. Championship partners S3 Parts and Factory Links supply the protection and linkage components that keep bikes moving where terrain punishes every weakness.
Next: Sweden Makes Its HEWC Debut
The championship resumes at Forza Orza in Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, on 20-22 August — Round 4 of eight, and the first time Sweden has hosted a round of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship. Scandinavian forest, rock and the shores of Lake Orsasjön await, with a classic enduro running alongside the world championship race.
Lettenbichler leads the 2026 standings on 88 points from Mitch Brightmore on 75 and Kabakchiev on 68, with Ashton Brightmore, Roman and Billy Bolt still within range. Home favourite Eddie Karlsson, seventh on 31 points, will have plenty to race for in front of a Swedish crowd.