 
Interview Manuel LETTENBICHLER (D – KTM)
"I didn't expect to be that dominant!”
Completely dominant on the track this season, Manuel LETTENBICHLER (D –
KTM) clinched 15 victories of 18 to become the 2016 SuperEnduro Junior World
Champion. Right before he gets his head on the Hard Enduro season, "Mani”
had a chat with us about his nearly perfect season and his dreams for the
future…
Hi Mani, it's just your second season in SuperEnduro, tell us more
about you...
Manuel LETTENBICHLER: "Hi my name is Manuel Lettenbichler, I´m 17
years old. I got my first trial bike when I was 5 years old. Since then I
was motivated and train hard to become a professional off-road rider. I
changed from trial to enduro three years ago because I had much more fun.
Last season, I participated to my first SuperEnduro season and it was kind
of a success for me with a 3rd overall result in the Junior class. Since
last Saturday I´m the new SuperEnduro Junior World Champion, it is so
awesome and makes me even more motivated for the future!”
Few days after your Junior title, did you have time to celebrate it?
M.L: "Of course, we went out to party with all the riders and my
family right after the event. We had so much fun, I enjoyed it a lot. But I
don't really have a break as the first Hard Enduro will start at the
beginning of April.”
After a nice first season (3rd overall), were you thinking that you'll
be that dominant?
M.L: "Well… Not really! I didn´t know how good the new riders
like Blake GUTZEIT or Luis OLIVEIRA will be. So I didn´t expected to be
that dominant this season. It´s also a long season with six rounds, where
anything can happen. But I prepped myself in a really good shape to battle
with all these good riders.”
You're young but you are already a very technical rider. From where
does it come?
M.L: "I rode eleven years in trial before I started enduro. My dad
was although a really good trial rider. He taught me everything on the bike.
I think trial is the best school to race tough enduro as it´s so technical.
You get the feeling for handling a bike.”
 "I
will have to train harder in motocross to get the speed I miss!”
In your opinion, which track was the best of the season?
M.L: "Difficult to say. Every track was different, but the most
enjoyable tracks were Brazil and Prague. The track builders made a really
good and professional job there.”
It seems you are still having some troubles with fast track like the
one in Argentina…
M.L: "It was not my day. I did too many mistakes and I had one big
crash in the second heat. I came from trial, so I prefer more difficult and
technical tracks but I trained a lot in motocross last year to get the speed
and the feeling for the jumps and it´s much better than two years ago. So I
will train harder to get better and better on the fast stuff.”
What's your life when you're not racing?
M.L: "Since last December I can live like a real professional
rider. So I train the most of the time. When I´m not racing or training I
hang out with friends, enjoying my time in the mountains like skiing,
mountain biking or hiking”
Are you still studying?
M.L: "I finished school last year.”
"My dad is the best trainer I could imagine!”
Your dad is a Hard Enduro specialist… Isn't it too difficult
sometimes to be the son of Andreas LETTENBICHLER?
M.L: "No. I´m so proud to be the son of one of the best Hard
Enduro riders in the world. He is the best trainer and dad I could imagine.”
Like him, are you looking to make a great career also in Hard Enduro
or you want to take your own way?
M.L: "The plan is now to focus on Hard Enduro in the summer time
and in the winter time on SuperEnduro, but my schedule can always change.”
What's your goal for your first season in Prestige class in 2017?
M.L: "I will give my best to be in the top 8 and for sure I will
get some new experiences in the season 2017.”
Which bike will you ride? Still with KTM Factory?
M.L: "Yeah I´ll still be with KTM next season. But I will change
from a 300 two stroke to a 250 four stroke!”
What will you try to improve for next season?
M.L: "I will work hard to improve my speed on the tracks. I have to
train a lot in motocross to try to reach the speed of the best guys of the
Prestige Class!”
 In
three words...
What do you think of?
SuperEnduro: Rock and Roll
Junior Class: Chance for youngsters
Blake GUTZEIT: Have to clean his runs
Benjamin HERRERA: Chiles top rider
Wade YOUNG: Nice guy
Tim APOLLE: Got good experience in the season
Luis OLIVEIRA: Rival of the season
Colton HAAKER: The Champion
Cody WEBB: Smoothest rider on the track
Jonny WALKER: The real champ
Taddy BLAZUSIAK: Most professional
LETTENBICHLER Digest
Name: LETTENBICHLER Manuel
Nickname: Mani
Nationality: Germany
Date of Birth: April, 30th 1998
Place of Birth: Rosenheim, Bavaria
Number: 304
Career Highlights:
2014: 18th Erzberg Rodeo – Youngest finisher in Erzberg history
2015: 3rd SuperEnduro Junior World Championship – 5th RedBull 111 Megawatt
2016: SuperEnduro Junior World Champion -
Pic: DG Design
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