Through the Pines

Day two of the Sea to Sky Enduro carried the race from the shoreline into the heart of the Taurus Mountains. Beneath a crisp autumn sky, 382 riders from 37 nations throttled into a labyrinth of rocky climbs, pine forests, and river crossings, tackling the 42-kilometer Forest Stage that has become a rite of passage in Türkiye’s most iconic hard enduro race.

The day belonged to Germany’s Manuel Lettenbichler, who stormed through the rugged terrain to claim the top spot. Wade Young of South Africa followed in second, with Britain’s Mitch Brightmore taking third. For many, the Forest Stage is where strategy meets stamina—a test not just of horsepower but of line choice, focus, and resilience.

The route started in Sumakseniri, climbing through dense woodland and narrow canyons before finishing dramatically at Kesme Boğazı, a natural amphitheater carved by centuries of water and wind. Spectators lined trails and bridges, their cheers echoing through the valleys as riders powered past under shifting light.

The race now sets its sights upward: on the final day, riders will climb from Çamyuva Beach at sea level to the 2,365-meter summit of Tahtalı Mountain—a legendary ascent where the Mediterranean meets the sky.

You can read the story from Day 1 here.