Round 2 of the 2026 Extreme Enduro World Championship delivered one of the closest finishes of the season at Extreme XL Lagares, as Manuel Lettenbichler narrowly held off a stunning late charge from Mitch Brightmore to secure victory by just seconds.
After already asserting control earlier in the weekend, including a dominant showing in Round 2 at Penafiel and a strong opening performance covered here Day 1 at Lagares the Red Bull KTM rider once again proved why he remains the benchmark in extreme enduro.
Lettenbichler Survives Late Pressure
The final race in Porto tested riders with a brutal mix of technical riverbeds, steep climbs, and punishing urban obstacles, but it was consistency under pressure that defined the outcome.
Lettenbichler controlled much of the race from the front, but Mitch Brightmore delivered one of the rides of his career, closing the gap dramatically in the final stages. At the finish, just 7.9 seconds separated the pair after over two hours of racing.
Behind them, Teodor Kabakchiev secured third, continuing his strong championship form, while Mario Roman and Billy Bolt completed a stacked top five.
The intensity of the battle highlighted a key shift in the championship, the gap to Lettenbichler is shrinking, and the next generation is pushing harder than ever.
Extreme XL Lagares – Final Results
| Position | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manuel Lettenbichler | 2:24:05 |
| 2 | Mitch Brightmore | +7.9s |
| 3 | Teodor Kabakchiev | +4:27 |
| 4 | Mario Roman | +5:19 |
| 5 | Billy Bolt | +5:41 |
| 6 | James Moore | +6:17 |
| 7 | Ashton Brightmore | +9:10 |
| 8 | Wade Young | +9:17 |
| 9 | Eddie Karlsson | +11:25 |
| 10 | Lorenzo Gandola | +15:04 |
British Talent on the Rise
One of the standout stories from Lagares was the performance of British riders. Mitch Brightmore pushed the eventual winner to the absolute limit, while Billy Bolt showed strong pace throughout the weekend despite finishing fifth.
The continued emergence of young British talent, combined with Bolt’s established pedigree, signals a growing force within extreme enduro that could challenge for wins consistently throughout the remainder of the season.
Championship Standings After Lagares
With another win secured, Lettenbichler strengthens his grip on the championship standings, but the fight behind him is tightening:
| Position | Rider | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manuel Lettenbichler | 33 |
| 2 | Teodor Kabakchiev | 24 |
| 3 | Mitch Brightmore | 23 |
| 4 | Mario Roman | 22 |
| 5 | Wade Young | 15 |
While Lettenbichler holds a clear advantage, the margins behind him suggest that one mistake could quickly reshape the title fight.
A Changing Dynamic in Extreme Enduro
What sets Lagares apart from previous rounds is the narrative shift. Earlier in the season, Lettenbichler appeared untouchable, but across this weekend, the competition closed in.
Brightmore’s near-upset, Kabakchiev’s consistency, and Roman’s steady pace all point toward a championship that is far from decided.
With more technically demanding rounds ahead, the question is no longer whether Lettenbichler can win, but whether he can continue to withstand the relentless pressure building behind him.
What’s Next?
The championship now moves into its next phase, where terrain becomes even more extreme and endurance plays a greater role.
If Lagares proved anything, it’s that the margins at the top are shrinking and the battle for the 2026 title is only just beginning.