Heavy gains and heavy losses on Offroad Day 3

Edition 23 July 28 - August 1, 2026

Sibiu, Romania Friday 25 July - Heading out onto the tracks from the overnight marathon stage, the Gold competitors’ wake-up call was “Mayday Mom” , a nice uphill climb. Conditions were a vast improvement, having had some rain overnight and cooler temperatures, less dust and better traction.

Billy Bolt (GBR, Husqvarna) hit the tracks with the sole mission to go full throttle today. He was on fire, scoring the fastest times through many of the checkpoints up to the Service Point, giving him the raw determination and mental drive he needed to try to make up time on the leader, Mani Lettenbichler (DEU, KTM).

Lettenbichler felt the pressure both physically and mentally with Bolt right on his tail. There was some back and forth when Bolt managed to get ahead on the “Forgotten Trail” but that was short lived, Lettenbichler regaining his lead quickly.

Lettenbichler arrived at the LEATT LIVEmaniacs Stage 3 “Cliffhanger” section with Bolt on his tail. This was to Bolt's advantage, having less experience in this section and LIVEmaniacs on the previous two days not being his forte. Following Lettenbichler was likely an advantage. Whereas for Lettenbichler it possibly played games for him mentally as he was already pushing to his limit.

Both competitors completed the “Cliffhanger” section in less than half the estimated time, indicating how unstoppable these determined, elite hard enduro athletes are.

The win for the day was down to the final sprint to the finish. Lettenbichler was able to pull off and come through the finish line first followed by Bolt who managed to make up 3m 2s today giving him the fastest times for the day and putting him 13m overall behind Lettenbichler.

Not feeling 100% on his game Mario has put in three strong days and is fighting in third place, not letting go of his vision of the top spot on the podium. This afternoon he may have lost his rhythm a bit after stopping to assist his teammate Teo Kabakchiev after a crash but that did not show. He arrived behind Michael Walkner (DEU), who was having a strong day, into the Cliffhanger section and was able to pass him on the second lap and regained his third position for the day.

Mitch Brighmore (GBR) and Graham Jarvis (GBR) pushed through the Cliffhanger as the number of competitors on the tracks increased and made the climb even more of a challenge, both ahead of the estimated times.

LEATT LIVEmaniacs Stage 3 Results

The stakes changed in Gold Class today after Teo Kabakchiev (BGR, Sherco) sadly had a crash resulting in an injury which took him out of the race. Along with Alfredo Gomez and Kabakchiev is also Kevin Gallas (DEU) who was a strong contender for the win in Bronze Class on his Yamaha Ténéré 700.

Jarvis, proving he is a true warrior of the sport, fought with the pack of young athletes and was able to come in with the sixth best time today, an incredible feat as he is up against young guns up to thirty years his junior.

The Gold Class competitors were all pushing hard and worth mentioning is the young twenty year old, Felix Baehker (DEU) as well as David Cyprian (CZE) and Francesc Moret Clota (ESP)

Gold Class Results.

Offroad Day 3 was 181 km of tracks and signature sections; “Madday Mom”, “Forgotten Trail”, “Manridge” and “Stairway to Heaven”

LEATT LIVEmaniacs Cliffhanger section
In Silver Class Costa Rican rider Justin Elizondo claimed his win back from Eddie Karlsson (SWE, STARK VARG) who managed to steal it from him on Offroad Day 2. Karlsson times weren't fast enough to fend off his closest rivals dominating the Silver Class, despite the lightning speed “Formula 1” style battery changes on the track (3 minutes per change) he lost too much time. Leaving the top competitors in Silver very close and it’ll be a tight race to the finish.

Silver Class:

P1. Justin Elizondo (CRI)
P2. Tobin Miller (USA)
P3. Kornel Ott (HUN)

Today was slightly shorter than yesterday, 161 km, for the Bronze Class but was the most challenging so far. Technical skills were pushed as they encountered some long uphills, riding along some narrow exposed edges,loose rocks and wet roots thrown in after a short rainfall all made for a tougher day. Continuing to push hard Diego Chang (GTM) and Xing Yang (CHN) kept their fierce battle going with less than 1m separating them in the finish.

Bronze Class:

P1. Diego Chang (GTM)
P2. Xing Yang (CHN)
P3. Benjamin Richter (DEU)

The heavy battle in Adventure Ultimate Class continues with Jonny Walker (GBR, Triumph Tiger 900), who came through the finish line first today, and Pol Tarres (ESP, Ténéré 700), who has the fastest overall time. Both experienced Red Bull Romaniacs veterans will want to come out on top. With only one Offroad Day remaining this will be a tight battle down to the minute. Once again today the top six in this class came in relatively close to one another.

Adventure Ultimate:

P1. Jonny Walker (GBR)
P2. Pol Tarres (AND)
P3. Kimonas Karabelas (GRC)

Sam Sunderland (GBR, Triumph Tiger 900) has mastered the tracks holding a vast lead over his other Adventure Lite Class competitors. Sunderland is accustomed to the long days with his Dakar titles and has been able to take the challenge in his stride. Meanwhile Joop Nissink (NDL) and Daniel Fernandez (COL) have both been getting comfortable in second and third position. By now the Adventure Lite competitors have firmly grasped the meaning of “team work makes dream work” having helped each other out in some of the sections for three days.

Adventure Lite Class:

P1. Sam Sunderland (GBR)
P2. Joop Nissink (NDL)
P3. Daniel Fernandez (COL)

The top three competitors in the eMoto Expert will be fighting it out on the last day with Sebastian Dudaș (ROU) in the lead by only five and seven minutes between the second and third competitors.

eMoto Expert Class:

P1. Sebastian Dudas (Rou)
P2. Thomas Warmuth (AUT)
P3. David Freidinger (AUT)

Iron Class:

P1. Fabio Carvalho (PRT)
P2. Alexander Petroiu (CAN)
P3. Ovidiu Tronaru (ROU)

Atom Class:

P1. Dmitriy Reznitskiy (KAZ)
P2. Carlos Gracida (MEX)
P3. Hans Peter Haunschmid (AUT)

eMoto Hobby:

P1. Martin Dosch (DEU)
P2. Ionut Tocitu (ROU)
P3. Bogdan Cimpu (ROU)

Offroad Day 3 took riders to elevations of 1950 meters with 360 degree panoramic views. The breathtaking scenery is just another highlight of the Red Bull Romaniacs. Tomorrow will be the final day out on the tracks where Lettenbichler, Bolt and Roman will have it all to play for. Only 13 minutes separate Bolt from Lettenbichler and 41 minutes for Roman. Anything can still happen out there.

Red Bull Romaniacs will come to a head at the famous Gușterița Hillclimb arena in front of thousands of spectators. There will be daring jumps over the top of competitors who are attacking the hillclimb, Gold Class will pass in front of spectators more often with the final destination being the Red Bull Romaniacs Finishing arch.

There will be a shuttle bus service to the Gușterița Hillclimb location departing from Sibiu Railway Station on the hour and on the half hour, 10 lei per person. There are no cars permitted this year at the hllclimb finish area. Buses run from 09:00am - 18:00 pm.

Mario Roman (ESP) Offroad Day 3