with fast trails and tough sec-
tions. I really liked it a lot though,
and I'm keen to end my race on
a high tomorrow."
Going into Sunday champion-
ship decider, Lettenbichler led
Roman by just four points with
Jarvis a distant third.
Lettenbichler held the advan-
tage of starting first and wanted
to make the most of it. Immedi-
ately into the lead, he set about
putting as much distance as he
could into rival Roman on lap
one. With Roman starting ninth,
he had work to do to catch
Lettenbichler, but the Spaniard
was fiercely determined to bring
home the championship with a
win on home soil.
A strong opening lap saw Ro-
man carve his way through traffic
and was soon on the tracks
of Gomez and Hart, running
second and third, respectively.
Needing a bit more time to get
around Hart and then Gomez,
Roman was up to second place.
With Lettenbichler holding a
three-minute lead over Roman,
the chase was on. The Spaniard
fought to reel the German in, but
Lettenbichler was able to con-
trol the gap. Entering the final
Hixpania Hill out front, the title
was within Lettenbichler's grasp.
Navigating the incredibly steep
climbs, the German remained
mistake-free to cross the finish
line as the race winner and as
the newly crowned 2022 FIM
Hard Enduro World Champion.
Forced to concede defeat,
Roman finished just under five
minutes behind Lettenbichler in
second to end his 2022 sea-
son as the runner-up. Gomez
finished third on the day and fifth
in the championship.
With a strong ride in the clos-
ing stages of the race, Hart bat-
tled past Jarvis to claim fourth.
Finishing fifth, Jarvis cemented
his position of third overall in the
final championship standings.
"World Champion! I'm so
stoked with that," said Lettenbi-
ROUND 8 / OCTOBER 7-9, 2022
AGUILAR DE CAMPOO, SPAIN
P78
OFF-ROAD I FIM HARD ENDURO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Alfredo Gomez was
the prologue winner.
The Spaniard parlayed
that into a podium
finish on Sunday.
