The opening round of the 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship came to a brutal conclusion at 24MX Alestrem, with Billy Bolt taking a hard-fought victory after nearly four hours of intense racing.
Widely regarded as one of the toughest races on the calendar, Alestrem once again delivered punishing terrain, long laps, and relentless sections that tested both man and machine to the absolute limit.
Bolt Takes Command in France
Billy Bolt delivered a composed and consistent performance to secure the win, completing three laps in a total time of 3:51:53.
The British rider managed the race perfectly, balancing speed with control to avoid costly mistakes and build a decisive advantage over his rivals.
His victory marks a strong start to the 2026 championship as he looks to build early momentum in the title race.
Roman and Kabakchiev Battle for the Podium
Mario Roman put in an impressive ride to finish second with a time of 3:56:30, crossing the line just over four minutes behind Bolt.
Teodor Kabakchiev secured third place in 3:58:43, completing the podium after another consistent and determined performance.
Both riders handled the demanding course with precision, limiting mistakes in a race where survival is often as important as speed.
Lettenbichler and Young Just Miss Out
Pre-race favourite Manuel Lettenbichler finished fourth in 4:02:06, just over ten minutes off the lead after a challenging race.
Wade Young completed the top five in 4:03:12, despite receiving a two-minute penalty for speeding, which ultimately impacted his final position.
Strong Performances Through the Top 10
Mitch Brightmore continued his strong weekend form with sixth place, followed by his brother Ashton Brightmore in seventh, who also received a two-minute penalty.
Matthew Green, Toby Martyn, and Lorenzo Gandola rounded out the top ten after completing the gruelling three-lap race.
24MX Alestrem 2026 – Final Results
| Position | Rider | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billy Bolt | 3:51:53 | - |
| 2 | Mario Roman | 3:56:30 | +4:36 |
| 3 | Teodor Kabakchiev | 3:58:43 | +6:49 |
| 4 | Manuel Lettenbichler | 4:02:06 | +10:12 |
| 5 | Wade Young | 4:03:12 | +11:18 |
| 6 | Mitch Brightmore | 4:04:26 | +12:33 |
| 7 | Ashton Brightmore | 4:05:35 | +13:41 |
| 8 | Matthew Green | 4:12:56 | +21:02 |
| 9 | Toby Martyn | 4:19:59 | +28:06 |
| 10 | Lorenzo Gandola | 4:21:35 | +29:41 |
A True Test of Endurance
With lap times approaching one hour and sections becoming increasingly difficult as the race progressed, Alestrem once again proved why it is considered one of the toughest events in hard enduro.
Riders faced steep climbs, technical rock gardens, and punishing descents, where one small mistake could cost valuable minutes, or end the race entirely.
Championship Momentum Begins
With victory in France, Billy Bolt takes the early lead in the 2026 championship standings and sends a strong message to his rivals.
However, with riders like Roman, Kabakchiev, and Lettenbichler all showing competitive pace, the battle for the title is already shaping up to be intense.
If Alestrem is any indication, the 2026 Hard Enduro World Championship promises to deliver one of the most competitive seasons in recent years.