Following the opening rounds at 24MX Alestrem in France and Extreme XL Lagares in Portugal, the championship battle now enters a crucial phase. With 33 championship points available across three days of racing and a completely different style of terrain awaiting the riders, Silver Kings could prove to be one of the most influential rounds of the season.
VISIT SILVER KINGS→Logistics
For many competitors, the journey to Idaho will not be a straightforward one.
Several of the championship’s leading riders will arrive in the United States shortly after competing in Austria at the Erzberg Rodeo, where the sport’s top athletes traditionally gather for the older standalone events. While not part of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship calendar, the event remains an important fixture for many riders’ sponsors and teams, creating a demanding travel and racing schedule heading into Round 3.
As a result, some riders may arrive carrying momentum from strong performances, while others could be managing the physical toll of back-to-back competitions.
Lettenbichler Leads as the Championship Intensifies
After two rounds, Manuel Lettenbichler arrives in Idaho as the championship leader.
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider delivered a perfect weekend in Portugal, winning all three races and collecting the maximum available points. His performances at Lagares moved him to 61 championship points and opened a 15-point advantage at the top of the standings.
Behind him, Teodor Kabakchiev continues to build momentum in second place with 46 points, while Billy Bolt sits third on 44 points despite continuing to manage a wrist injury sustained before Round 2.
The British rider showed tremendous determination in Portugal, salvaging valuable championship points despite not being fully fit. Silver Kings will provide another important test as he looks to remain within striking distance of the championship lead.
Mitch Brightmore’s breakthrough performances in Portugal elevated him to fourth overall on 43 points, just a single point behind Bolt, while Mario Roman rounds out the top five with 35 points.
With six rounds still remaining after Silver Kings, every point matters. And in Idaho, there are 33 available.
Three Races. Three Challenges. Thirty-Three Points.
At Silver Kings, across three days, riders must demonstrate speed, endurance, technical ability and race management to maximise their championship score.
Thursday’s Super Kings Prologue awards the first championship points of the weekend. Following qualifying sessions, the fastest riders will battle in a six-minute-plus-one-lap sprint final where the top three score championship points and secure valuable starting positions for Friday’s race.
Friday’s Big Mountain Race presents one of the most unique challenges in modern hard enduro.
The championship riders will face a single 20-mile lap featuring 12,264 feet of elevation gain and more than 11,500 feet of descent across Silver Mountain’s rugged terrain.
There are no second chances. No opportunities to recover lost time on later laps. One lap. One mountain. One result.
With a five-hour time limit and checkpoints spread throughout the course, riders must balance speed with survival as they tackle one of the most physically demanding races of the season.
Saturday’s Thunder Bowl Finale brings the weekend to a spectacular conclusion.
After two hours of racing, competitors face the infamous King Slayer Hillclimb. Riders who successfully conquer the final obstacle will secure their finishing positions, while those unable to reach the summit will be classified according to their last completed checkpoint.
With 20 championship points available, the King Slayer may ultimately determine who leaves Idaho with momentum heading into the second half of the season.
A Strategic Turning Point
Silver Kings is not only a test of rider ability, but also one of the first major strategic decisions of the 2026 season.
While riders competing in the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship score across every round, competitors in the Junior World Championship, Women’s World Cup, Youth World Cup, Senior World Cup and 4-Stroke World Cup count their best six results from the eight-round season.
That format creates an interesting dynamic as the championship crosses the Atlantic.
For some riders, travelling to the United States represents a significant financial and logistical commitment. Others may choose to focus on European rounds later in the season, knowing they have the opportunity to discard two results from their final championship total.
Conversely, riders who make the journey to Idaho could find themselves competing against smaller fields and capitalising on a valuable opportunity to score heavily while some rivals remain at home.
The challenge works both ways. Those who race in Idaho must absorb the costs, travel demands and physical fatigue associated with a transatlantic trip, while riders who skip the round may arrive fresher for later events but risk surrendering valuable championship points.
As a result, Silver Kings could become one of the most influential rounds of the year for the World Cup categories, with championship positions potentially shaped as much by strategic decisions as outright speed on the mountain.
In a season where only the best six results count, every rider must decide where and how they want to build their championship campaign.
Home-Soil Specialists Add Another Dimension
Adding further intrigue to the weekend are North American stars Cody Webb and Trystan Hart.
Neither rider is competing for championship points, but both possess extensive experience on North American terrain and will be determined to challenge for race victories in front of a home crowd. Their presence creates an interesting dynamic.
The championship contenders arrive focused on points, consistency and the bigger picture. Webb and Hart arrive with only one objective: winning.
Their local knowledge and familiarity with the terrain could make them significant factors in the overall outcome of the weekend.
A Championship for Every Rider
Silver Kings will once again host competition across multiple FIM championship categories. Alongside the World Championship class, riders will contest points in the Junior World Championship, Women’s World Cup, Youth World Cup, Senior World Cup and 4-Stroke World Cup categories. These classes continue to play a critical role in the growth of the sport, providing pathways for emerging talent while creating meaningful competition across every level of hard enduro.
With the championship now firmly established across multiple categories, every round represents an opportunity for riders to build their season and strengthen their position in the standings.
The Road to the Title Runs Through Idaho
The FIM Hard Enduro World Championship has already delivered drama, unpredictable weather, breakthrough performances and championship-defining rides across its opening rounds.
Now the series heads across the Atlantic to one of the most spectacular venues in world hard enduro.
The mountains of Idaho await. The battle for the 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship is only just getting started.
Championship Standings After Round 2
- Manuel Lettenbichler (GER) – 61 pts
- Teodor Kabakchiev (BUL) – 46 pts
- Billy Bolt (GBR) – 44 pts
- Mitch Brightmore (GBR) – 43 pts
- Mario Roman (ESP) – 35 pts
Event Information
- Toyota Silver Kings Hard Enduro
- Silver Mountain Resort
- Kellogg, Idaho, USA
- 18–20 June 2026
Championship Points Available
- Thursday – Super Kings Prologue: 3 points
- Friday – Big Mountain Race: 10 points
- Saturday – Thunder Bowl Finale: 20 points
Total Available: 33 points
ABOUT HEWC
The FIM Hard Enduro World Championship unites the world’s toughest off-road motorcycle races into one global series. Born from legendary events like the Roof of Africa and other iconic hard enduros, it brings together professional and amateur riders on the same demanding terrain, celebrating endurance, camaraderie, and adventure. Sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and promoted by Hard Enduro Promotions Marketing Management LLC, HEWC showcases the full potential of hard enduro as a modern, global motorsport platform.
ABOUT THE FIM
The FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme), founded in 1904, is the global governing body for motorcycle sport and the worldwide advocate for motorcycling. Recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the FIM oversees a wide range of world championships including MotoGP, Superbike, Motocross, Trial, Enduro, Cross-Country Rallies, Speedway, and Hard Enduro, while also working in areas such as public affairs, road safety, and touring.
Media Contact
Adam Nunn
Media Manager, FIM Hard Enduro World Championship
📧 adam@fim-hardenduro.com