Sibiu, Romania, 26 July, 2018 – The Red Bull Romaniacs Offroad Day 2 was a tough one to wake up to. Competitors had a long gruelling Offroad Day 1 - wet, cold and muddy. The weather conditions had transformed the race track from tough to “beyond extreme”. Despite that, the majority of competitors had fought bravely and made it through the day - rendering organizer Martin Freinademetz quite proud and impressed with their passion, determination and skills.
Not only was it the longest day from hell taking its toll on their bodies: once the competitors had made it safely back to the headquarters, their bikes were in desperate need for attention.
But…that's the name of the game and it was only Offroad Day 1 of 4. Today it was back on the bike at 6.30 in the morning, something nobody looks forward to after a day like that. This morning the saving grace for all the competitors was lining up at the starting arch to a sunrise over a cloud inversion in the valley below and not a drop of rain. The trails were not likely to be dry but rain and fog were not on the cards for today. Also, as announced in last night`s competitors briefing, the track had been changed from the “Bad weather version” to the “Worst weather version”. The tracks were still technical and demanded good riding skills for the Bronze and Iron class. For the Gold and Silver class, “insanity” was not reduced, just the time they had to endure it.With the mostly blue sky and the drier conditions, the majority of competitors got their spirits lifted today.
The track layout, terrain and weather conditions appeared to be favorable for Manuel Lettenbichler, Wade Young and Jonny Walker. Jonny is a two time winner (2014 & 2015) and was the youngest winner in the history of the Red Bull Romaniacs at the age of 23. Wade Young was the youngest competitor ever on the podium (3rd in 2014 and 2016) and Manuel Lettenbichler scored a fourth place in 2016 and 2017. The trio ploughed through this mornings toughest sections at motocross speeds, taking turns in who was arriving at the checkpoints first and breathing down each other's necks. After the service point, the “young guns” Letti and Wade were able to distance themselves slightly from Walker, and kept duelling for every second. Sections like “Dragon spike”, “Straja rock garden” and “Bikini hill” became the battlegrounds for them to fight it out. “America's cup”, just before the service point, was the toughest signature section today.
The chase secured Wade Young the win of the day (1st), Jonny Walker, just a few seconds behind, the 2nd place and Manuel Lettenbichler the third place. Overall position in the race: 1. Wade Young, 2. Manuel Lettenbichler, 3. Jonny Walker.
The Bronze competitors were briefly haunted by memories of yesterday as they were confronted with a steep downhill which they had to ride with the Gold and Silver classes at the beginning of the day. There was great relief when their trail veered off to their own version of Offroad day 2.
Kirsten Landman: “Today was a lot easier and shorter than yesterday and it dried up quite a lot so it wasn't as slippery. With flowing trails and not as many technical sections, it was a really nice day and fast. I couldn't hang on to the back of the fastest guys. A chilled day by comparison to yesterday. We all need the rest of the day to recover”
After the day from hell yesterday the Silver class were grateful for a more flowy day where they were able to stay on their bikes more and less time spent pushing and lifting it. They were served a fine balance of all terrain types, including sections resembling “natural” versions of the Red Bull Romaniacs prologue such as the Straja Rock Garden. The Iron class felt relief for a really enjoyable and scenic day with open meadows with some steep sections thrown in to keep it challenging to the right degree.
Manuel Lettenbichler: “I didn't expect it to be so long. We got hit more than I had expected - with gnarly bits, tricky rocks and slippery slopes. I'm heading straight to bed and into recovery mode”.
Jonny Walker: “This morning was really good - I struggled a bit with traction. We had fierce battles with Wade and Manuel - but I fell back on one hill and took a log in the ankle at one point which hurt. Two more days here at the Red Bull Romaniacs and then I'll be super tired”.
Wade Young: “I like the long days because I am strong but made some mistakes during the day. Mani is unreal on uphills, he just pulls. I made a lot of time on one hill, trying different ways to find traction. The tires I used were not the optimum”.
Results: https://www.redbullromaniacs.com/results/
Red Bull TV:
https://www.redbull.tv/live/AP-1VG4N15FS2111/red-bull-romaniacs /
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About:
Red Bull Romaniacs, the toughest Hard-Enduro rallye on earth.
The Red Bull Romaniacs Extreme Enduro Rallye was created in 2004 by founder Martin Freinademetz. Over the past years it has evolved to the world`s toughest Hard Enduro Rallye. The Red Bull Romaniacs takes place every year and attracts competitors from about 50 countries.
The race is spread over five days, the first being the inner-city prologue in front of thousands of enthusiastic fans. The four “Offroad race days” lead the competitors on some of the world`s most beautiful Enduro trails in the region around Sibiu, Romania (Southern Carpathian Mountains). The breathtaking wilderness, the Romanian hospitality and the unbelievable challenges make the 600km race an unforgettable, lifelong memory for all participants.
The Red Bull Romaniacs are organized under the patronage of the Romanian National Tourism Authority.
