World’s toughest enduro race won by Mani Lettenbichler and KTM
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler has claimed a sensational 6th career victory at the 2025 Red Bull Romaniacs. Capping off an intense week of racing in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains, Mani topped the final day to take the overall win aboard his KTM 300 EXC.
After a highly successful 2024 campaign, Lettenbichler returned to Romania this year with his sights firmly set on a 6th Romaniacs crown. Facing a world-class field of riders and the unforgiving terrain of the Carpathians, the 27-year-old German delivered yet another hard enduro masterclass to take a commanding overall win.
“This feels unreal. My team deserves this win just as much as me. I had some doubts at the beginning of the week, purely because I haven’t been able to train as much as I would have liked coming into this event. I felt under quite a lot of pressure this year. The pace was super high from everyone, and the conditions and heat here in Romania only added to the challenge,” said Lettenbichler.
This year’s race began with the traditional SuperEnduro-style prologue in Sibiu, where Mani placed third on the demanding, technical course. The result meant he would lead the field into the mountains for Offroad Day 1 – a demanding task on one of the event’s longest and most punishing stages. Taking the win by close to seven minutes over his nearest rival, Lettenbichler immediately set the tone for the week ahead.
On Thursday’s Offroad Day 2, Mani once again led from the front. As the first half of the event’s marathon stage – where no outside assistance is allowed – it placed extra demands on both rider and machine. Navigating steep climbs, treacherous forest descents, and fast open sections with signature precision, he extended his overall lead with a second consecutive day win. With two stages remaining, momentum was clearly on his side.
Friday saw a spirited battle at the front between Mani and his close rival and Husqvarna rider, Billy Bolt. Lettenbichler rode tactically, pushing where it counted while staying in control. Making the minimum of mistakes and conserving energy in the hot conditions, the German crossed the line in second place, just over three minutes down on Bolt, maintaining his overall race lead and keeping reserves in the tank for day four.
Saturday brought the final test – 102 kilometers of classic Romaniacs terrain, including the infamous final hillclimb and one last chance for Mani to stamp his authority on the race. Rising to the challenge, he powered through, ultimately clearing the hills and man-made obstacles in style to take his third stage win of the week, securing the overall victory and his sixth career Romaniacs title.
Next up for Lettenbichler and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing is Red Bull Tennessee Knockout, held in the United States from August 8-10.
