Jarvis back on top in Romaniacs as Birch throws his machine into a ravine
Update from Day 3 of the Red Bull Romaniacs, the toughest Hard-Enduro rallye of the planet.
Again riding in beautiful weather, all the wishes of last year`s competitors who were praying for sun after riding in soaking wet conditions in 2010 seem to have been heard: it was certainly hot today – and only the shadow in the forest and the river crossings brought some relieve for the riders. But certainly not enough.
Race Day 3 is traditionally the day, that breaks the ones who are not made for the Red Bull Romaniacs – and the dramatic stories at today`s track reflect this.
Tough men were crying, hardcore Enduro riders were ready to sell their soul and the one of their grandmother for some help getting the bike over obstacles and human creatures became ready to fight for some water to survive the day.
Riders actually started offering money, waving their credit cards and cash to get some help from spectators – just trying to make it through the day.
Some competitors were seen raiding the gear-bags of the camera teams for some water and falling into the nearby creeks to drink like thirsty animals.
Pain clearly became the “motto of the day” – even for the top riders.
However, the crme de la crme of the world Extreme-Enduro elite arrived at the finish-line with a broad smile on their face, after the toughest challenges were already in the morning and they had some time to recover in fluent riding, capture some of the country`s beauty and get refreshed in high speed river-crossings.
The leading man of the day, Graham Jarvis finished just minutes before Chris Birch, who was ahead of Jarvis for some time in the morning but then had to watch his bike crashing down a ravine and hitting into a tree.
Graham: “I had a great day: a bit stiff in the morning but once I woke up, I really found the flow, Navigation was much easier than yesterday, but I still missed a few turns after not watching my GPS. I definitely enjoyed the beautiful ride today! There were 30 minutes of extreme challenges this morning, but after that, the track allowed a fast pace again.”
Chris: “The morning was a bit tricky, and the worst part today was to see my brave bike flip down a steep hill and crash into a tree. Big thumbs-up Lars Enckls crew, Niki Stelzmller and Erich Brandauer who helped replacing the bent handlebars and Brandauer donating his Husaberg`s rear fender. I was able to gain some of the lost time on Graham after that and made good progress. But I certainly do not mind to be beaten by this great guy (Graham Jarvis)!”
True sportsmanship, we say.
