Teo Kabakchiev takes the tracks by storm on Offroad Day 2
It was Teo Kabakchiev (BGR, Sherco) who stepped up his game and was on fire on Offroad Day 2 of Red Bull Romaniacs. Teo fought consistently hard to make up time from yesterday and he succeeded. Teo, who is on a serious hunt for the podium, managed to have the fastest times of the day and finished the day in second place behind Mani Lettenbichler.
Press release from Red Bull Romaniacs created by Susan Mould
Mani Lettenbichler (DEU, KTM) decided to continue how he started off yesterday; fast and flawless which was enough to award him with the win of the day again and despite not quite having the speed that Teo produced Mani played it safe knowing that he had a good lead not to take chances.
Mario Roman (ESP, Sherco) assumed his fighting position, constantly trying to make time on every section, his strategy worked and he came through the finish in third position for the day and overall standing in third position.
Teo Kabakchiev: “I had a good day, had some good speed. The last section maybe got better after a few runs, it was quite difficult. I’m happy with my day”.
Mani Lettenbichler: “I enjoy the day, I’m stoked about my riding, I think the next couple of days are going to be pretty difficult. The last Gold section was really hard, it was only one shoot but the top layer was so slick, I had to have about five attempts, but I had a fun day”.
At the start of the Offroad Day 2 Mani Lettenbichler (DEU, KTM) had a comfortable lead 28m11s over his closest rival Mario Roman (ESP, Sherco). Recharged and ready for what would be a less demanding day than yesterday, which was classified as the “toughest Red Bull Romaniacs day ever”, the Gold competitors were thrust into the “Cliffhanger” section early.
The three laps of this second stage of LEATT LIVEmaniacs were a heavy dose of serious hard enduro, taking longer to complete each lap than Stage 1 at “Brother of K2” despite being a shorter distance. The fastest lap times were:
Mani Lettenbichler (DEU, KTM): 5m23s Lap 3
Teo Kabakchiev (BGR, Sherco): 6m45s Lap 1
Mario Roman (ESP, Sherco): 6m41s Lap 2
Mani had the advantage of arriving before many of the other Gold riders, once there were more competitors in the section it was harder to make up time.
With 183 km of flowy tracks with less daunting signature sections it opened up the opportunity for some of the faster competitors to make up lost time. Some of the technical sections of the day were “600cc”, “Short and Sharp” and the heaviest section was “Man Ridge”. Jonny Walker (GBR) had a good day today and made light work of this section, getting through it with the best time and also pushed hard through the day putting him in sixth position overall.
Young Mitch Brightmore (GBR), Romaniacs “new comer” this year and the 2023 FIM Junior Champion had a good result on Offroad Day 1 and with today’s times he holds onto the position 7 overall. Leading in the Championship rankings so far and for the first time at Romaniacs Mitch has managed to hold his own with the big boys.
Mitch Brightmore: “It was definitely easier than yesterday. After the Service Jarvis and me were riding flatout together towards the end that was my highlight of the day to get to race with Jarvis”
Offroad Day 2 took the Red Bull Romaniacs into the Vâlcea County, with the finish in Râmnicu Vâlcea. The overnight marathon adds its own set of challenges for competitors who are not allowed any outside help until the Service Point of Offroad Day 3. Both professional and amateur competitors will need to do all their own bike service and maintenance, of which there will be plenty, for example Jonny Walker is faced with a broken fan to repair. Tools are limited to what competitors are carrying and a selection of Milwaukee tools that are available for use. Romaniacs founder Martin Freinademetz is pushing the limits both mentally and physically of the competitors and will now test their knowledge and skills in maintaining their own bikes to a level where they are fit enough to hit the Romaniacs tracks.
After an outstanding performance on Offroad Day 1 where Graham Jarvis (GBR) was able to work his way through forty fellow Gold competitors to finish the heavy technically demanding day into position 6 in true “Silent Assassin” tradition, he had a good day two now sitting in position 8.
All classes were faced with a longer day but were treated to some of the most spectacular scenery and breathtaking mountain landscape of any hard enduro rallye.
Silver Class covered 184 km today.
Silver Class Overall Results:
First – Kornel Ott (HUN)
Second – Patrick Riegler (AUT)
Third – Chris Birch (NZL)
Pol Tarres (AND) found the day tough and long, slippery grass sections were hard going on the Ténéré 700 which is a whole different game in the wet conditions. Pol is now in position 41.
Sandra Gomez (ESP) made up time on the faster tracks today and is now in position 29.
Bronze Class covered 163 km.
Bronze Class Overall Results:
First – Kevin Gallas (DEU)
Second – Josh Kirby (GBR)
Third – Mark Jackson (GBR)
Kevin Gallas (DEU) had a strong day on his Ténéré 700 and held onto the lead, for the time being, he’ll have to keep up the pace over the next two days to claim the victory.
Iron Class covered 168 km.
Iron Class Results:
First – Peter Wuth (AUT)
Second – Dhmhtrhs Margos (GRC)
Third – Mark Whyte (NZL)
Atom Class covered 164 km.
Atom Class Results:
First – Alexander Petroiu (CAN)
Second – Valentin Ganea (ROU)
Third – Dmitry Reznitskiy (Kaz)
Offroad Day 3 will start from the Parc Ferme in Râmnicu Vâlcea. Competitors will only have access ten minutes prior to their start time. The distances will vary between 160-180 km for all classes and will once again showcase the stunning scenery of the Southern Carpathians, landscapes that will stick in the memories of all the competitors.
