Lettenbichler crowned Ultimate Enduro World Champion for 2019

Lettenbichler crowned Ultimate Enduro World Champion for 2019
German holds off Gomez at GetzenRodeo for fairy-tale maiden home WESS title.
Manuel Lettenbichler won the eighth and final stop of the World Enduro Super Series season to become the 2019 Ultimate Enduro World Champion on home soil at GetzenRodeo in Germany.

 - KTM rider Lettenbichler headed into the 2019 season finale leading the overall standings from Briton Jonny Walker following his fourth place at BR2 Enduro Solsona.
- Roared on by thousands of passionate Enduro fans, Lettenbichler put on a masterclass to win the morning GetzenRace qualifier and afternoon GetzenChamp race.
- Lettenbichler seized control of the two-hour morning qualifier on lap one to control the pace at the head of the 60-strong field and duly won the GetzenRace from Poland's Taddy Blazusiak and Walker ahead of the all-important 80-minute plus one-lap GetzenChamp finale.
- The 20 qualified riders blasted off the start line for what would become a gruelling battle as Lettenbichler wasted no time in establishing himself at the front.
- As the laps continued, Lettenbichler appeared to pull clear but not from fellow KTM rider Blazusiak with the Pole picking up his pace during the final 30 minutes.
- Blazusiak briefly took the lead but then crashed, giving Lettenbichler the breathing room he needed entering the final Red Bull X-Loop to close out the win.
- Lettenbichler, 21, revealed: "When Taddy passed me, I knew I had to dig deep and thankfully I managed to get past him again. I'm over the moon. To be honest I nearly cried on the podium. It was such a long, tough race today and it's been such a long season. To finish the year with a first place in front of my home fans would have been amazing, but to win the championship as well is unbelievable. I'm on top of the world right now."
- Behind him, drama struck Blazusiak when his bike stopped leaving Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Alfredo Gomez of Spain to roar past for second on the day and runner-up spot in the final 2019 standings as Blazusiak had to settle for third on the day.
- Gomez, 30, added: "I had a few crashes, but I think the race was tough on everyone. I'm really pleased with my result and so happy with second in the championship."
- Blazusiak, 36, explained: "I've enjoyed the race and rode my heart out, only to lose out just at the end. I was really pushing as hard as I could because I knew what I had to do to get second in the championship, unfortunately it just wasn't to be. I have to be proud."
- Sixth place saw Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Walker slip to third in the championship as 2018 WESS champion Billy Bolt finished fourth at the last round.
- Walker, 28, said: "I tried my best, but it wasn't quite good enough. Nevertheless, if you'd offered me third overall at the start of the year - I would have taken it."
- With the 2019 season now complete, the eight-round 2020 WESS ENDURO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP begins with Extreme XL Lagares in Portugal on May 8-10.

World Enduro Super Series result from GetzenRodeo:
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM – GER) 10 laps 1:52:29.720
2. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna – ESP) 10 laps 2:01:32.662
3. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM – POL) 9 laps 1:35:24.393
4. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna – GB) 8 laps 1:40:49.789
5. Pol Tarres (Husqvarna – ESP) 7 laps 1:36:36.490
6. Jonny Walker (KTM – GB) 7 laps 1:38:07.331
7. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna – GB) 7 laps 1:46:21.162
8. Mario Roman (Sherco – ESP) 6 laps 1:45:55.845
9. Eddie Karlsson (Sherco – SWE) 5 laps 1:36:54.766
10. Ib Anderson (Gas Gas – NOR) 4 laps 1:46:32.079

 2019 World Enduro Super Series final standings:
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM – GER) 6110pts
2. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna – ESP) 4884
3. Jonny Walker (KTM – GB) 4810
4. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM – POL) 4620
5. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna – GB) 4450
6. Josep Garcia (KTM – ESP) 4165
7. Nathan Watson (KTM – GB) 4136
8. Mario Roman (Sherco – ESP) 3560
9. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna – GB) 3415
10. Pol Tarres (Husqvarna – ESP) 3130

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