The 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship heads to Kemer, Türkiye, for its penultimate round, with Sea to Sky running from October 8–10. Manuel Lettenbichler arrives as championship leader, but after the drama of the Roof of Africa, nothing feels settled yet.
With only Sea to Sky and the 24MX Hixpania finale remaining, every mistake now carries championship consequences.
Roof of Africa Changed the Momentum
Teodor Kabakchiev arrives in Türkiye with fresh confidence after taking his first HEWC victory at the Roof of Africa. The Sherco Factory Racing rider completed the three-day race in 9:59:46.2, becoming the only Gold Class rider to finish under the ten-hour mark.
Behind him, Lettenbichler produced one of the closest finishes of the season, overturning a 38-second deficit to Wade Young on the final day and taking second overall by just 0.1 seconds after almost ten hours of accumulated racing.
James Moore Strikes Back
Matthew Green finished a strong fourth in Lesotho, while James Moore produced one of the most impressive recoveries of the weekend. A mechanical issue on Friday cost the defending Roof winner more than 44 minutes, but Moore responded by setting the fastest time on the final day by more than five minutes.
That charge lifted him to fifth overall and secured the Junior victory, keeping him firmly involved in the championship fight.
From the Beach to the Mountain
Sea to Sky offers a completely different test. Instead of the long navigational loops of Lesotho, the Turkish classic takes riders from the beach in Kemer through sand and forest before the decisive climb towards the mountain summit.
The variety is what makes Sea to Sky unique. Riders need outright speed, technical control and enough endurance to survive a weekend where the terrain changes dramatically from one stage to the next.
Equipment Gets Tested Too
That mix of terrain also puts huge stress on the bikes. Plews Tyres, the exclusive tyre partner of HEWC from 2026 to 2028, provides on-site support throughout the championship and already has several supported riders fighting near the front, including James Moore, Mario Roman, Sherco Factory Racing and Matthew Green.
Factory Links focuses on bearings, linkage and chassis components built to survive mud, water and heavy impacts, while S3 Parts supplies hard enduro equipment ranging from skid plates and footpegs to brake pedals and clutch covers.
What’s at Stake in Kemer
Lettenbichler still holds the advantage in the overall championship, but Kabakchiev’s Roof victory has added another threat at the front. The Brightmore brothers also remain important players, with Mitch chasing the overall title and Ashton involved in the Junior fight.
After Sea to Sky, only Hixpania remains. That means Kemer is no longer just another round — it is the last major opportunity to change the championship before the finale.
Sea to Sky Race Schedule
