South African Wade Young added another bit of history to his career after becoming the youngest ever winner of Red Bull Romaniacs. Young, 22, came out on top of the five-day off-road race in the Southern Carpathian Mountains trails around Sibiu, Romania.
Here is all you need to know:
– At the end of the race, he was joined on the podium by Germany’s Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jonny Walker (GB) in second and third respectively.
– Young, riding for Sherco Factory Racing, led Lettenbichler by just four minutes going into the final day. Lettenbichler clinched the stage but Young made a break with 20km to go to pull clear of the rest and finish second to secure overall victory.
– Red Bull Romaniacs is the fourth round of the World Enduro Super Series. The series continues with round five at Red Bull 111 Megawatt in Poland on September 8-9.
– The race is spread over five days with one inner city prologue and four off-road days.
– Young has won the Roof of Africa three times, including in 2012 when he was just 16.
– He is also the fourth different winner in this year’s WESS championship.
– Red Bull Romaniacs was created in 2004 by Martin Freinademetz. It takes place every year and attracts competitors of more than 50 nations.
– Young said: “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.”
– Manni Lettenbichler (KTM – GER): “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 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.”
Source: Red Bull Content Pool Image Predrag Vuckovic