Jonny Walker Takes Gold In Red Bull Romaniacs Prologue At FIM HEWC Round Four
Story: FIM Hard Enduro World Championship
Sibiu, Romania | July 23, 2024
#13 Jonny Walker (Red Bull Beta) leads #1 Manuel Lettenbichler (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), #7 Alfredo Gomez (Rieju Factory Racing) and #17 Mitch Brightmore (TTR Squadra Corse) in the Red Bull Romaniacs Prologue.
Image courtesy FIM Hard Enduro World Championship
Round four of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship roared into life at Red Bull Romaniacs with Red Bull Beta’s Jonny Walker winning the in-city Prolog qualification final. In what proved an action-packed evening of racing in Sibiu, Romania, the Gold class final saw Walker take a commanding victory over RIEJU Factory Racing’s Alfredo Gomez in second, with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler third.
Round four at Red Bull Romaniacs begins with action-packed Prologue Finals
Jonny Walker leads them home on the first day of racing in Romania
The five-day Red Bull Romaniacs continues tomorrow with Offroad Day 1
Always eagerly anticipated, round four of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship got underway at the iconic Red Bull Romaniacs in Sibiu, Romania. Celebrating its 21st edition, the world’s toughest Hard Enduro Rally opened for business with the traditional in-city Prologue. A man-made course in the heart of Sibiu, thousands of spectators gathered to watch the world’s best riders battle it out for glory.
Taking to the course first, the Bronze class and then Silver class finals offered a taste of what was to come for the Gold class final. Exciting battles were had, and an early highlight was 14-year-old Mexican Fernando Pascal (KTM) winning Bronze.
With the Gold class riders lined up for their 10-minute-plus-one-lap final, it was Red Bull Beta’s Jonny Walker who had qualified fastest over TTR Squadra Corse’s Mitch Brightmore. RIEJU Factory Racing’s Alfredo Gomez, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler and TTR Squadra Corse’s Ashton Brightmore closed out the front row.
As the start flag dropped, it was Walker who shot out to an early lead. Lettenbichler gave chase, but a crash midway down the main straight would leave him playing catch up for the remainder of the race.
With a strong opening lap, Walker put distance between himself and the chasing pack. Clearing the obstacles with ease, he steadily extended his lead. A small crash on the slippery tyres looked to bring Gomez, the Brightmore brothers and Lettenbichler back into play, but the Beta rider had them covered.
Jonny Walker (centre), Alfredo Gomez (left), and Manuel Lettenbichler (right).
Image courtesy FIM Hard Enduro World Championship
Quickly remounting, he rode out the final three laps without mistake to claim a well-deserved victory. Behind him, Gomez enjoyed a pretty solid ride to eventually finish in second. Showing no signs of lacking in his return to racing from injury, Lettenbichler completed the top three in third.
Finishing fourth, Mitch Brightmore was also first in the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM category. Overall championship leader, Red Bull Leader Tread’s Wade Young completed the top five.
With the in-city Prolog Finals complete, riders can now look forward to tomorrow’s opening Offroad Day 1.
Jonny Walker (Beta): “The course was tough. The tyre section was most difficult because of the water being dragged onto them. That was the hardest part to get right. For the last three laps I managed to settle down, kept my rhythm high and rode it out to the finish line.”
Alfredo Gomez (RIEJU): “I’m happy with this result. Jonny was just that bit faster than me. The pace was fast early on. I actually had a small crash that dropped me down to about fifth. I fought to recover from that, so second is great.”
Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM): “Crashing at the start wasn’t ideal, but it’s no harm to get the first one out of the way. The tyres were so slippery and there was plenty of carnage as a result. Honestly, I’m stoked to get third. Now I’m looking forward to tomorrow in the mountains.”
Provisional Results: FIM HEWC Round Four, Red Bull Romaniacs
Qualification: Prolog Finals
1. Jonny Walker (Beta)
2. Alfredo Gomez (RIEJU)
3. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM)
4. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna)
5. Wade Young (GASGAS)
6. Ashton Brightmore (GASGAS)
7. Mario Roman (Sherco)
8. Francesc Moret (Sherco)
9. Suff Sella (KTM)
10. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco)
