Getzen Rodeo 2021 - Event Report

AS3 Performance were at the final round of the FIM Hard Enduro Word Championships - Getzen Rodeo, Grießbach, Germany

The 2021 Getzen Rodeo was this year's final round of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championships. The event consisted of 2 races. In the 1st race - Saturday morning qualifier called the Getzen Race - 60 riders started and raced around a 3km course for 2 hours plus 1 additional lap. The top 15 then qualified for the main event in the afternoon, called the Getzen Champ, where the 15 riders raced for 80 minutes plus 1 additional lap. In this main event, the course was ridden in the opposite direction to the qualifying race!

It was all to play for in the Championship, with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Billy Bolt and Red Bull KTM’s Manuel Lettenbichler only separated by 3 points going into this final round. For Bolt to win the World Championship on his Husqvarna TE 300i, he would still have to finish in 2nd place if Lettenbichler was to win the event for a 3rd time in a row. Sherco Factory Racing’s Wade Young was 3rd in the standings, 17 points adrift, so it would have taken a DNF by both Bolt and Lettenbicher for Young to be crowned Champion on his Sherco SE 300. It therefore looked to be a two horse race.

Getzen Rodeo 2021 - Friday 29th November

AS3 Performance were at the event with Jonny Walker and his Vision Track Beta Team. The Friday consisted of Practice and Technical Control. Actual practice on the event course was not allowed, so there was a dedicated practice area. Check out our video highlights on YouTube here.

Jonny Walker and Mechanic Marc Robert talking set-up of the Beta 300 RR between practice runs.

Marc Robert with Walker’s Beta 300 RR in Technical Control.

Getzen Race - Getzen Rodeo 2021 Qualifying

The Getzen Race Qualifier started at 10am on Sat 30th Nov, with the traditional canon blast start. 60 riders started and raced anti-clockwise around the 3km course for 2 hours plus 1 additional lap. From the off, a scintillating pace was set by both Bolt and Lettenbichler, the lead swapping several times as both pushed extremely hard to get the best start position possible for the Getzen Champ main event in the afternoon. Lettenbichler finished 1st, only passing Bolt in the last 50m of the race, therefore both finishing within a few seconds of each other. Lettenbichler would now lead out the Getzen champ on his KTM with a 4 second gap before Bolt started.

Canon blast start of the Getzen Race - Billy Bolt, Mani Lettenbichler, Wade Young, Mario Roman, Jonny Walker and Alfredo Gomez

Vision Track Beta’s Jonny Walker looking focussed in qualifying on his Beta 300 RR, finishing 6th

The top 15 to qualify for the Getzen Champ main event were:

1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM)

2. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna)

3. Wade Young (Sherco)

4. Mario Roman (Sherco)

5. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna)

6. Jonny Walker (Beta)

7. Taddy Blazusiak (GAS GAS)

8. Travis Teasdale (GAS GAS)

9. Michael Walkner (GAS GAS)

10. Teodor Kabakchiev (Husqvarna)

11. Sonny Goggia (GAS GAS)

12. Michele Bosi (KTM)

13. Dominik Olszowy (KTM)

14. Dieter Rudolf (KTM)

15. Kevin Gallas (GAS GAS)

Getzen Champ - Getzen Rodeo 2021 Main Event

The Getzen Champ Main Event started at 2pm on Sat 30th Nov, this time the riders starting at 4 second intervals from the 1st to the 15th who qualified. The 15 riders now raced clockwise around the 3km course for 80 mins plus 1 additional lap. The event was live streamed on Red Bull TV. Lettenbichler on his KTM EXC 300 TPI was the first rider away, Bolt starting 4 secs later. Then Young and Roman on their Shercos, Alfredo Gomez on his Husqvarna, Vision Track Beta’s Jonny Walker, followed by Blazusiak on his GAS GAS EC 300, all 4 seconds apart.

On the first lap, Bolt caught and passed Lettenbichler and built a bit of a gap. However, an uncharacteristic mistake on a technical climb cost Bolt the lead, Lettenbichler sweeping by him. Bolt actually fell down to 6th place before the halfway point of the race. This would mean Lettenbichler would be World Champion as things stood, as Bolt had to finish 2nd if Lettenbichler went on to win.

Red Bull KTM’s Manuel Lettenbichler leading the way in the Getzen Champ Race.

The second half of the race proved to be a different story - Bolt’s mechanic Lee Edmonson held up his pit board with the word: “RELAX” written on it - that seemed to do the trick and Bolt regrouped unbelievably. He found his rhythm, managed to pick off the riders between himself and Lettenbichler and moved back up into 2nd place well before the end of the race - the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship win was back on for Billy Bolt.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Billy Bolt on the charge on his TE 300i.

Bolt’s Championship was now in his own hands. He couldn’t afford to make another mistake as the Sherco of Mario Roman was behind him in 3rd and in close contention. However, on the final lap, Bolt stretched away from Roman and actually got the gap down to Lettenbichler to less than 1 min.

Sherco Factory Racing’s Mario Roman on his way to 3rd place on his SE 300 R.

Mani Lettenbichler rode a near perfect race to win the Getzen Rodeo for the 3rd time in a row, but it wasn’t enough to win the World Title. With Billy Bolt crossing the finish line in 2nd, he secured the inaugural FIM Hard Enduro World Championship and was crowned the first ever FIM Hard Enduro World Champion.

With Wade Young holding off a late charge by Jonny Walker to finish 4th, Young secured 3rd place overall in the World Championship, ahead of his Sherco Factory Racing teammate; Mario Roman, who finished 3rd on the day. Jonny Walker has been consistent throughout the 2021 season, finishing 5th here in Germany and 5th overall in the World Championship.

2021 FIM Hard Hard Enduro World Championship Final Standings:

1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna)

2. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM)

3. Wade Young (Sherco)

4. Mario Roman (Sherco)

5. Jonny Walker (Beta)

6. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna)

7. Michael Walkner (GAS GAS)

8. Teodor Kabakchiev (Husqvarna)

9. Taddy Blazusiak (GAS GAS)

10. Dominik Olszowy (KTM)

 Check out our video highlights of the Getzen Rodeo event on YouTube here.

2022 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship

2021 was a good first season for Jonny Walker and the Vision Track Beta team. AS3 Performance looking forward to continuing to support him for the 2022 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship. We can’t wait for the opening round - the Minus 400 in Israel, 5th-7th April 2022.