Sibiu, Romania, 29 July 2022 - Red Bull Romaniacs Offroad Day 3 could not have had a more scenic setting, sunrise managed to poke through the clouds and fog at the alpine altitude of 2040 metres where today's Offroad start was. The unusual light and almost eerie fog over this stunning region of Transalpina was almost like a painting, but more on the minds of the competitors was the lack of visibility and the fact that they'd have to rely heavily on their GPS navigational skills as they set out across the mountain tops first thing this morning.

Gold, Silver and Bronze shared some fast, flowing tracks at the start. The opportunity to really open up on the fast mountain top section also comes with risk, plenty of hazards, slippery rocks and small logs hide in the grass, especially as the tracks were wet this morning.  

Strategically speaking, Offroad Day 3 is an important day. With the Prolog and two hard, long days in the mountains already under their belt, competitors are starting to feel physical pain as well as mental fatigue setting in. This is the day that lost time needs to be made up and the gaps need to be closed. The competitors need to be well positioned going into day four as anything can happen and there will be no more chances for recovery as they take on their enemies in the final battle. 

After a faster start, the Gold class were served up a string of heavy sections that just kept coming, starting with ‘Alpina’ uphill, ‘Happy birthday’, ‘Mofo’, ‘English farmer’, ‘CDI’, ‘Good morning’. Throughout the onslaught of these tough sections the gold competitors knew what lay ahead and that they needed to preserve some energy for the LIVEmaniacs section, ‘Brokeback Mountain’ where the three stages would be broadcast live. The top guns tend to ride these stages with a bit more intensity and push a bit harder, the first two Offroad days the LIVEmaniacs stages was early in the race however today it was at the end of a tiring day which would make it even harder. 

The start of ‘Brokeback mountain’ gives competitors a chance to get their rhythm going before the steeper zig zags higher up. Today was not as technical and difficult as the previous two LIVEmaniacs stages but for example one steep climb at the top was approximately 70 degrees, even walking up is almost impossible. Graham Jarvis (GBR, Husqvarna) and Manuel Lettenbichler (DEU, KTM) completely dominated the three stages, going back and forth to lead. It wasn't until they started their third lap that Teodor Kabakchiev (BGR, Husqvarna) arrived to follow them up. At the end of the three stages it was Mario Roman (ESP, Sherco),  Manuel Lettenbichler (DEU, KTM) and Michael Walkner (AUS, GAS GAS) with the fastest times through the ‘Brokeback Mountain’ LIVEmaniacs. Worth a mention is that Jarvis was also battling on the tracks with Andreas Lettenbichler, Mani’s father, in the past, so this shows how extraordinary and legendary of an athlete Jarvis is to still be out there leading the pack. 

Yesterday took its toll on Jarvis, who started the day in survival mode, as soon as he hit the steeper, technical terrain he was rejuvenated and back in the groove. This showed as he maintained his focus and consistent speeds and ended up finishing in first position, just under two minutes faster than Lettenbichler who was in second position today. Mario Roman found his recipe for success during the past two days and stuck with it again today. He spent some of the day riding in a tag team with Teo Kabakchiev and Michael Walkner until he was able to pull ahead in the steep technical sections, where his speciality lies. He was able to finish in third position today.

Teo Kabakchiev and Michael Walkner have certainly proved their talent at this year's Red Bull Romaniacs, they've blown smoke down the backs of the leaders and are still going strong after the third Offroad day. Currently Teo is standing in second position overall and Michael Walkner is in fourth overall. Trystan Hart (CAN, KTM) pushed hard but after a not so great day yesterday he wasn't able to make up enough time to catch the leaders of the pack and came in rank 6 again today. This next generation of hard enduro riders are relatively fresh in the Carpathian mountains and have already made their mark whatever happens on the last Offroad Day 4 tomorrow.

Lettenbichler is on his own mission now and has one goal in mind, to make up time. He did just that yesterday with a smoking fast day, never letting up and taking risky lines. Even after his penalty he managed to claw his way up to tenth position overall yesterday and he blasted right into sixth overall today. He will be aiming to better that again tomorrow as he focused on gaining points for the F.I.M Hard Enduro World Championships. 
Taddy Blazusiak (POL, GAS GAS) had to withdraw earlier in the day as his recent wrist injury was plaguing him to the point he felt it was dangerous to continue, he realised it was a gamble competing in such an intense hard enduro rallye so soon so he was happy with the 3 days he was on his bike.

Alfredo Gomez (ESP) came down with a stomach bug combined with some dehydration issues yesterday. Competitor have to be at the peak of their fitness when competing at this level so he had no choice but to withdraw from the race today. 

The Silver tracks had some tough sections after a fast start. The steep uphills such as  ‘Never ending story’ were where energy could be lost by having to get off the bike and having to push and negotiate through these sections, the riders who could stay in the saddle had the advantage. Classic Romaniacs downhills were again on the agenda such as ‘Black slope’ and ‘Karate Kid’. The Silver contenders are in the midst of a tight battle and while the finishing order switched around today, it was still the same three competitors. Fabien Poirot (FRA) and Chris Birch (NZL, KTM) rode together most of the day, however, the mood will have to change in order to be rewarded with the victory tomorrow. Fabien Poirot finished in first position with a 21 seconds lead over Chris Birch and Adam Giles (AUS) came in third position.

Bronze competitors were starting to feel the Romanian wilderness take its toll as they set out this morning. Teo Isaac, track director threw a combination of everything at them today and the weather included using their GPS for navigation early this morning. Some of the morning tracks were slippery but the technical sections later on were their biggest challenge. Much the same as the Silver class, the top three Bronze ranked competitors are in a serious battle, todays order was in first position, Alexis Bérépion (FRA), who sneaked past the finish line 3 seconds ahead of Marius Achim Popovici (ROU) and 50 seconds ahead of Edgars Silins (LVA). Matthias Walkner found the downhills really demanding but managed to find some sandy sections which were right up the Dakar winners alley. He came in fifth position today.

Paul Krenz (DEU), competing in Bronze and a professional bobsledder, set his sights on finishing the Red Bull Romaniacs this year, he even had some coaching with Manuel Lettenbichler. After three Offroad days he has managed to place rank 95 overall out of a field of over 200 starters at the beginning. 

Paul Krenz: “There is one similarity between the bobsleigh and hard enduro and that is that you need a strong mentality. In the last 10 years I think I have built this and I really hope to finish the bronze class, it is really fun”

Iron class had some challenging tracks today and the bar was raised for them, providing a taste of Romaniacs extreme. The tracks also showcased some of the most incredibly spectacular scenery which Romaniacs is also renowned for.

Atom had an easier day than yesterday with fast, flowing tracks and covered 97 km.

The finish was in the Olt Valley where surprise guest Billy Bolt was on hand at the Red Bull arch to greet the Gold class as they finished the LIVEmaniacs stages and Offroad Day 3.
The LIVEmaniacs transmission will be at 12:00 - 13:30 (EEST) - Saturday July 30 Offroad day 4 followed by the live transmission of the famous finish at Gușterița hill climb. 

Photo ftp: gofile.me/5URjn/maqlvGYkh 

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