Sherco Factory Racing’s Wade Young (RSA) has claimed victory at “Red Bull Romaniacs”, the fourth round of the World Enduro Super Series WESS. Runner-up on the fourth and final off-road day of the world’s toughest Hard Enduro Rallye, Young has etched his name into the history books as the youngest winner of the 15-year running of the race.
With just four minutes separating Young and Manuel Lettenbichler entering the final day of racing at “Red Bull Romaniacs”, the outcome of round four was too close to call. Young led the field away and pushed hard from the off. But Lettenbichler was making time in the early sections and by the midway point had caught up to Young, but also brought Jonny Walker with him. On a technical climb after the service point Lettenbichler found a way past the Sherco rider and suddenly it looked like the fight for victory was weighing in the 20-year-old German’s favour. However, the South African had other ideas and after taking a moment to regroup he made his break with about 20 kilometres to go. Pulling clear, he charged his way into the Gusterita finishing arena and despite not winning the day topped the event overall to become the fourth different winner in this year’s WESS championship.
Wade Young (Sherco – RSA): “I can’t believe it, I am over the moon to have won. It’s been such a long race and so tough. Manni caught me early on today. He would gap me on the hills and then I would have to charge on the fast sections to reel him back in. It went like that for the whole day right until the last couple of checkpoints where I was able to break away from him before the finish. It’s always been my goal to win here and now I’ve managed to tick that box. It’s the toughest race in the world and it feels awesome to have won it.”
Ending his participation in the 2018 “Red Bull Romaniacs” in the best possible way with victory on the final day, Manuel Lettenbichler also secured his debut “Red Bull Romaniacs” podium result. For Jonny Walker, another strong ride saw him cement his position of third overall in the Hard Enduro Rallye. However, with Lettenbichler securing his third top three result this season, he now moves to within 185 points of series leader Walker as they pass the halfway point in the championship.
Behind the top three, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt finished fifth on the final day of racing to end his “Red Bull Romaniacs” in fourth overall. Building pace throughout the week, Spain’s Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) took fourth on Off Road Day 4 to complete the top five in the overall classification. Just missing out on an overall top five position, Paul Bolton (KTM – GB) was sixth, while David Cyprian (KTM – CZE) was seventh. South Africa’s Blake Gutzeit (Yamaha) was eighth, Mario Roman (Sherco – ESP) ninth and Philipp Scholz (KTM – GER) rounded out the top 10.
Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM – GER): “That was so gnarly. 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. My strength this year was on the hills — I think that comes down to training, good bike set up and determination. With a podium result at three rounds of the WESS championship things are starting to look good. Jonny has a bit of an advantage, but the gap is reducing.”
Jonny Walker (KTM – GB): “Congratulations to Wade and Manni — those guys were really on it for the whole event. I gave my all today and I’m pleased with the outcome of this race as I had plenty of issues during it. But I kept pushing on and focused on maintaining my lead in WESS. I’m looking forward to the next round — Red Bull 111 Megawatt. I’ve won it three times, so I’ll be pushing for a fourth.”
Dieter Rudolf (AUT) – Silver Class Winner: “It’s been such a good week for me, I am so pleased with the result. I didn’t expect to win the prologue, my aim there was to just get through it safely. I chose to set off third on the first off road day and despite it being so tough I managed to make a lot of time on the other guys. Day two went ok and then I won again on day three. I had a good result at this year’s Erzbergrodeo, so that gave me some confidence, but the two events are so different – Erzbergrodeo is just four hours and “Red Bull Romaniacs” goes on for days. It feels great to take the win and makes all the hard work seem worth it.”
Gianino Coscarelli (BRA) – Bronze Class Winner: “It feels like a dream to have won my class at “Red Bull Romaniacs”. It’s one of the most famous races in the world because it is so difficult. So, to win it is incredible. It’s been a hard week but I kept fighting on throughout and now I’m here in the finishing arena as a Romaniacs winner. This is one of the best days of my Enduro life.”
The World Enduro Super Series continues with round five at Red Bull 111 Megawatt in Poland on September 8-9. (source: wess)
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LINK: Red Bull Romaniacs
LINK: iRideWESS
photos (c) Red Bull Content Pool: Mihai Stetcu & Predrag Vuckovic & Future 7 Media