Red Bull Romaniacs, Part Deux

Another look at the Red Bull Romaniacs

Jonathan Walker

With his third-place finish at Red Bull Romaniacs, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jonny Walker remains at the top of the World Enduro Super Series championship standings. As a two-time winner of Romaniacs, Walker was determined to use that experience to claim the best finish possible in the five-day race. Completing almost 27 hours of racing during those five days, Walker ended his participation in the 15th edition of the Red Bull Romaniacs third overall and with his WESS championship lead intact.Red Bull Content Pool/Predrag Vuckovic

The Red Bull Romaniacs Hard Enduro is considered one of the toughest extreme races in the world, and the athletes who compete in it are hardy individuals, indeed. Sherco factory rider Wade Young outlasted a talented field of contestants to win this year’s event in Sibiu, Romania, becoming the youngest to do so. The South African now sits fourth in the World Enduro Super Series standings after four of eight rounds. Great Britain’s Jonny Walker leads the standings, followed by Manuel Lettenbichler in second and Billy Bolt in third.

Paul Bolton

British KTM rider Paul Bolton gets a little help at the top of one of the climbs en route to sixth overall.Red Bull Content Pool/Predrag Vuckovic

Manuel Lettenbichler (DEU)

A runner-up finish marked Manuel Lettenbichler’s best showing in the WESS series so far. He spent much of the race battling with eventual winner Wade Young. “Wade and myself pushed hard today and rode it like a motocross race—a six-hour motocross! I gave my best to try and keep him behind me, but every time I gapped him, he fought back,” Lettenbichler said.Red Bull Content Pool/Predrag Vuckovic

Wade Young (ZAF)

Lettenbichler led Young near the end of the race on the final day, however the South African had other ideas and, after taking a moment to regroup, he made his break with about 12 miles to go. Pulling clear, he charged his way into the finishing arena and despite not winning the day topped the event overall to become the fourth different winner in this year’s WESS championship.Red Bull Content Pool/Mihai Stetcu

Mario Roman

Mario Roman finished ninth in this year’s event. The factory-backed Spaniard finished an impressive third behind Cody Webb and Graham Jarvis at the Tennessee Knockout in 2017.Red Bull Content Pool/Future7Media

Taddy Blazusiak

Taddy Blazusiak got off to a fast start with a third-place finish in the Prolog, but he finished 18th at the end of five days of racing.Red Bull Content Pool/Future7Media

Alfredo Gomez

Alfredo Gomez finished fifth overall, but admitted his last day was his best. “The final day was my best day and that is really encouraging; after the service point I still felt very strong,” Gomez said. “I’m looking forward now to the next race in the championship. Finishing this race in fifth shows that I’m fit, strong, and able to race and that’s the most important thing.”Red Bull Content Pool/Predrag Vuckovic

Paul Bolton

Bolton struggles at the bottom of this stairwell. Much of the race was run in an “urban” environment.Red Bull Content Pool/Future7Media

Graham Jarvis

Jarvis pulled out of the race during day three’s action. “Deciding to stop on Off Road Day 3 was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but it was the most sensible option to take. I simply had no more energy to continue,” Jarvis explained.Red Bull Content Pool/Predrag Vuckovic

Billy Bolt

British Husqvarna rider Billy Bolt finished a solid fourth. “I’m happy to stand here in one piece and with fourth position because I gave so much time away in the first couple of days,” Bolt said.Red Bull Content Pool/Future7Media