KTM´S JONNY WALKER WINS RED BULL ROMANIACS 2015!

After five days of exhausting days over rugged terrain in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains, where navigation is key for a top result, riders were confronted with a very difficult run to the finish. They had to tackle a very steep climb of soft sand, ironically named “Highway to Heaven” by the organizers, and an unbelievable series of obstacles before they passed under the Red Bull finishing bridge to record their final time. While Jonny Walker got stuck in a mud hole, Jarvis was the first over the line to take the day’s honors, although Walker, a Red Bull athlete was the overall event winner by just two minutes.

Walker aboard his KTM 300 EXC had won the prologue on Tuesday, which was held in the streets of Sibiu, but on day one of offroad competition it was Jarvis who took the win with Walker’s factory teammate Andreas Lettenbichler was second and Walker third. Despite starting six minutes behind on day two, Walker was able to claim the win thanks to his navigational skills, and Lettenbichler went on to win day three while Walker finished fifth, meaning competition between Jarvis and Walker would go down to the wire on the final day. Walker won the overall event, while Lettenbichler finished sixth, with KTM riders Paul Bolton and Wade Young taking fourth and fifth positions.

Walker: “Getting my second win at Red Bull Romaniacs feels amazing. I reckon that was probably the hardest race I’ve ever done here. With the #1 plate there was always pressure to defend it. I was confident in myself and what I could do, but the level has stepped up massively since last year. There are so many guys going fast now it’s crazy. Every day I had to push like hell and any mistake whatsoever was costly. Starting today with about a three minute gap I couldn’t really afford to relax. I pushed as hard as I can and aside from losing time at the very end I’ve been able to win. It’s incredible.”

Lettenbichler: “Red Bull Romaniacs is always full of surprises. I felt like I rode very strong all week. I had the speed to finish on the podium – maybe more – but my navigational error on day two ruined my chances. But like I said I’m pleased with how I rode and getting a win on Day Three was also nice too!”

The Red Bull Romaniacs, now in its 12th year, has developed into one of the most popular of the Hard Enduro events on the motorsports calendar and attracts riders in the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron classes from all over the world.

Final Results Red Bull Romaniacs 2015 – Gold Class

1. Jonny Walker (GBR), KTM, 23:49.42 h2. Graham Jarvis (GBR), Husqvarna, +2.10 min
3. Alfredo Gomez (ESP), Husqvarna, +58.204. Paul Bolton (GBR), KTM, +1:10.28 h
5. Wade Young (RSA), KTM, +1:20.58
Other KTM6. Andreas Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, +1:55.08
7. Philipp Scholz (GER), KTM, +2:34.55
9. Lars Enöckl (AUT), KTM, +2:49.56

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