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| KTM factory
rider Chris Birch wins his first Romaniacs |
| After more than 28 hours grind in
the mud and mountains of Romania's Transylvania, it
was KTM factory rider Chris Birch who came away with
the major prize in the 2010 Red Bull Romaniacs, the
toughest four-day Extreme Enduro event on the racing
calendar. |
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Six of the top ten finishers in the pro
class were onboard the Orange machines "Made in
Austria" when the riders struggled home on a last leg
covering 126 km of country that only the bold and the brave
dare to tackle. Second overall was Britain's Graham
Jarvis, third Germany's Andreas Lettenbichler with Paul Bolten
(UK KTM) in fourth place.
The first day after the prologue brought an untimely end to
the Romaniacs for KTMs Extreme Endurist Taddy Blazusiak,
winner of four Erzberg Rodeo Hare scrambles when he had a too
close encounter with a tree and injured his shoulder.
True fighting spirit
Birch, who was a prominent rider from the first day went out
23 minutes ahead of Jarvis on the final day and showed his
true kiwi fighting spirit. In the course of yet another mud
filled day, he clipped a further six minutes off his total
time by the time he charged through the final Red Bull winners
arch to take the chequered flag and the top spot on the podium
for the first time in his career.
"I'm extremely happy about taking my first overall
victory," Birch said in the finish area. Graham Jarvis,
one of Birch's toughest rivals was also generous with his
comments for the winner. "Chris was able to add time
today and also ran a terrific race," he said.
The 2010 Romaniacs was characterized by heavy rain, adding yet
another dimension to the tough prologues plus four days of
extreme terrain through rivers, over rocky outcrops and the
forests of some of the most beautiful parts of Romania's
Carpathian Mountains.
KTM Race Package Service helps keep riders in the race
KTM was present at the race not only well represented with a
slew of impressive riders but also with the special KTM Race
Service, which offered professional support and spare parts to
riders who signed up for the package.
Final Results Pro Class
1 Chris Birch, New Zealand, KTM. 28 hours 17 minutes and 31
seconds
2. Graham Jarvis, UK, Sherco, 28:46:12
3. Andreas Lettenbichler, Germany, BMW 29:18:29
4. Paul Bolton, UK, KTM, 29:52:12
5. Jade Gutzeit, South Africa, KTM, 30:21:32
6. Lionel Seydoux, Switzerland, KTM, 33:21:58
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| Well earned congratulations after
four days of Romaniacs |
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| Mud a challenge for 2010 Romaniacs |
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| Taddy goes well in the prologue but
race cut short after encounter with tree |
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