Even the vainest of riders find themselves covering part of the Red Bull Romaniacs, the toughest enduro rally in the world, on foot. Only those who fall the least and get up again quickest are entitled to a few well considered steps at the finish: those onto the podium.
Cyril Despres, two-time Dakar winner, has been around a bit during his 34 years. "But," he says, "some of the most beautiful and idyllic places to hold an enduro race can be found in Romania, where Red Bull Romaniacs is taking place." But most riders' ardour for nature-watching tends to be dampened considerably by potholes the size of cars, craggy terraces, rocks, roots, streams and boulders along the 100-200 km stages."I'm nevertheless looking forward to it immensely," says BMW works rider Andi Lettenbichler, who finished second in this year's Red Bull Hare Scramble, "because Red Bull Romaniacs is nothing less than the toughest enduro race in the world." Along with fellow countryman Gerhard Forster, third last year, as well as New Zealander Chris Birch, second in 2007, he is dreaming of victory. Frenchman Michel Gau is also out for revenge, though: he had a thrilling battle with Cyril Despres last year. But Gau was extremely unfortunate to fall on the last stretch, breaking his arm and consequently losing the race.
But it won't be just the professionals aiming to take on the course, their comrades-in-arms as well as their weaker selves: there are five different categories – Professional, Expert/Single, Expert/Team, Hobby and Tourist Class – to be won at the Red Bull Romaniacs. The race kicks off on September 13 with a prologue in the centre of Sibiu. From September 14 onwards, the riders will have to prove themselves over four cross-country stages, before reaching the finish in Sibiu on September 17 – with a few more bumps, bruises and experiences to show for their efforts on the bike. Half the riders, at least: experience shows that Red Bull Romaniacs remorselessly chews up and spits out around 50 percent of the field during the race.
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