red-bull-romaniacs-enduro-ktm-christ-birch-podium

KTM rider Chris Birch of New Zealand wound up the 2008 Red Bull Romaniacs Hard Enduro Rally with a stage victory and overall third in an event that plunged riders into challenging situations so only the fittest and the fastest were at the finish.

The fifth edition of the Red Bull Romaniacs started with a prologue in the Transylvanian city of Sibiu, which also hosted the start and finish of each of the four days of challenging riding through the Southern Carpathian Mountains. Riders faced the tough, typical mountain terrain of the area on daily stages that ranged from 100 - 200 km.

Birch wins day two

Trailing after the prologue, Birch captured a tough second day that started in cold, dark and damp conditions and ended with a mean set of stairs back in Sibiu. He won stage two ahead of Gerhard Forster (Germany) and eventual overall winner Graham Jarvis (UK) and the three riders went on to dominate the pro class for the rest of the event.

Freezing cold third day

If day two was tough it was only a taste of what was to come on day three, conditions that put the "maniacs" firmly back into "Romaniacs". As if riding at more that 2000 m above sea level in tough terrain was not enough, riders faced poor visibility, cold temperatures and rain. Birch brought his KTM across the line in second place and consolidated his third place overall.

"It was absolutely freezing at the highest point of today, which was 2,200 above sea level. Riding was not as tough as in the previous days but it was physically exhausting as the temperature was only a little above zero," the New Zealander said at the finish.

Final day stage victory for KTMs' Verhoeven

Day four, just 112 km of hills, valleys and forests that ended back in Sibiu for some real urban riding challenges saw KTM rider Franz Verhoeven (Netherlands) shake off his bad luck of the first two days to take the final line honours in front of Jarvis and Forster. It was also a tough day for Birch even though he secured third place to repeat his result of 2007.

"I was sick last night and although riding was not too hard today, I am absolutely exhausted. It was great to come back to Romania again and race with these guys. Two starts and two podium finishes - I think I can be quite happy with the result," Birch said.

Final results Pro Class

1. Graham Jarvis, UK, Sherco, 19:27.27

2. Gerhard Forster, Germany, BMW, 19:36.51

3. Chris Birch, New Zealand, KTM, 19:50.21

- KTM-Sportmotorcycles, Mattighofen-

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