TWICE AS HIGH AS MOUNT EVEREST
Day 4: 4th Red Bull Romaniacs Hard Enduro Rally
17 - 21 June 2007
560 kilometres and almost 17.000 meters of climbs and descents - after three days through the Romanian Carpathian Mountains only 90 riders remain in the event. Today's race was technically demanding over the first half, then fast with spectacular views over the second half. Arriving earlier than expected, Frenchmen Cyril Despres and Michel Gau crossed the finish line in Sibiu's autocross park together, with Chris Birch (NZL) third.
One of the two previous winners of the Red Bull Romaniacs Hard Enduro Rallye, Cyril Despres and Michel Gau, will in all probability take top honours in this year's race. Starting two minutes after him, Despres soon caught and overtook yesterday's stage winner, the rapid 23 year old New Zealander, Chris Birch. But after struggling to find his route Cyril Despres was eventually caught by Michel Gau. Now exactly four minutes behind the leader, it will not be easy for the 2005 and 2007 Dakar winner to pull back that time tomorrow. Privateer Gerhard Forster (GER) was again able to keep up with the leaders and finished only six minutes behind Birch. Two minutes later it was American Kyle Redmond's turn to cross the finish line. The 19-year old tried his best to overtake the German during the 190km long leg and was disappointed his plans did not work out. In the overall standings Redmond is 16 minutes behind Forster (3rd) in sixth position. Between them: Chris Birch (eleven minutes behind Forster) and Alex Antor; the Andorran rider only five seconds in front. Before tomorrow's last day it is last year's winner Michel Gau who is leading four minutes ahead of his countryman Cyril Despres. The fourth edition of the rallye will be decided on the finish line tomorrow afternoon in Europe's cultural capital 2007, Sibiu.
With 90 riders left in the race - 17 professionals, 37 experts and 36 hobby riders - the race started in front of the Hotel Continental in Sibiu. The first half of today's 190km on the pro track (170km for experts and 145km for hobby riders) was pretty technical. The so called "zicky-zacky" section - snaking up and down through the thick forests - was definitely one of the best points for spectators. The participants in the hobby class were the only riders allowed to go round this section and they didn't meet up with the other competitors until the refuelling stop. Deep river crossings and steep downhill sections made even some of the pro riders stop and think about the best way to get over the course.
Beautiful mountain views and high speed sections - the Austrian pro rider Dieter Happ was quite amazed at his 126km/h top speed - allowed the riders to forget about the difficulties encountered earlier in the day. Due to the dry weather the track was very fast and the finish time much earlier than expected. "If it had rained over the last few days some of the riders wouldn't have finished before sunset," commented the organiser Martin Freinademetz.
14h12 on the bike for the leading pro rider and more than 35 hours (including time penalties) for the last hobby team, 560km and almost 17.000 meters altitude difference and still another day to go - the Red Bull Romaniacs in 2007.
Results Day 4, 20 June 2007
Professionals
1. Michel Gau FRA 05:15:56
2. Cyril Despres FRA 05:21:26
3. Chris Birch NZL 05:31:43
4. Gerhard Forster GER 05:32:45
5. Kyle Redmond USA 05:39:55
6. Alex Antor AND 05:49:50
7. Dieter Happ AUT 06:02:10
Professionals
1. Michel Gau FRA 14:12:56
2. Cyril Despres FRA 14:16:56
3. Gerhard Forster GER 14:39:45
4. Chris Birch NZL 14:50:43
5. Alex Antor AND 14:55:50
EXPERTS & HOBBY CLASS
4th Red Bull Romaniacs Hard Enduro Rally
17 - 21 June 2007
Some are struggling, some are enjoying their days off the road; however, all are trying their best - the riders in the team classes. After the professionals' start it's their time to leave the city and find their ways through valleys and rivers, over mountains and along or even over rocky sections that might remind some of the infamous Erzberg Rodeo in Austria; always close to the route of the professionals.