Wade Young Leads The Way At Xross Hard Enduro Rally With Offroad Day One Win
June 20, 2024
Wade Young on his way to the win on Day 1 of the XROSS Hard Enduro Rally in Serbia.
Image courtesy FIM Hard Enduro World Championship
Red Bull Leader Tread’s Wade Young has taken control of the race lead at round three of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship by winning Offroad Day One at Xross Hard Enduro Rally.
Riders begin the first of three tough Offroad Days in Serbia
Wade Young rides to victory on Offroad Day One
Fight for podium placings remains tight
After Wednesday’s exciting AKRAPOVIC Prologue qualification, riders gathered early Thursday morning for the first of three Offroad Days for round three of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship at Xross Hard Enduro Rally.
With 100 kilometres awaiting them, it was Sherco Factory Racing’s Teodor Kabakchiev who was first to lead the 54-strong Pro class field out. The TTR Squadra Corse pairing of Ashton Brightmore and Mitch Brightmore were next on the course, with Mario Roman (Sherco) fourth rider away.
Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco Factory Racing).
Image courtesy FIM Hard Enduro World Championship
Fifth on the road, Red Bull Leader Tread’s Wade Young began his day in a determined mood. Looking to chase down his rivals ahead of him, the South African got to work, posting consistently fast sector times. As the first rider to complete the course, Young won Offroad Day One on corrected time and now leads the race by over five minutes.
A late start number played into the hands of Austrian Michael Walkner. The GASGAS rider capitalised on the tracks laid by those opening the course ahead of him to end Offroad Day One in a strong second place.
Despite opening the day, and suffering some late tyre issues, Kabakchiev still clocked in a strong performance. The Bulgarian finished third and trails Walkner by only 15 seconds in the overall classification.
For Roman, the first day in the mountains at Xross Hard Enduro Rally didn’t quite go his way. The Spaniard posted some strong sector times, but couldn’t maintain the pace of the leading trio. He ended his day fourth overall in classification and is 12 minutes behind race leader Young.
Putting in arguably one of the day’s most impressive performances was the Czech Republic’s David Cyprian. The KTM rider worked his way through the toughest of sections to come home in a well-deserved fifth position.
Rigo Racing’s Matthew Green placed sixth on Offroad Day One, ahead of qualification winner Mitch Brightmore in seventh.
Brightmore holds the overall lead in the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM. The Brit is currently over six minutes clear of Suff Sella (KTM) in second, with Ashton Brightmore (Husqvarna) third.
Provisional Results: Round 3
Offroad Day 1
1. Wade Young (GASGAS) 4:25:53.68
2. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 4:28:28.60
3. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 4:33:42.69
4. Mario Roman (Sherco) 4:38:31.33
5. David Cyprian (KTM) 4:48:44.69
6. Matthew Green (KTM) 4:54:36.05
7. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 5:01:03.18
8. James Moore (GASGAS) 5:02:46.00
9. Suff Sella (KTM) 5:04:17.79
10. Marc Riba (KTM) 5:06:06.36
Classification (After Offroad Day 1)
1. Wade Young (GASGAS) 4:29:53.68
2. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 4:35:28.60
3. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 4:35:42.69
4. Mario Roman (Sherco) 4:42:01.33
5. David Cyprian (KTM) 4:54:29.69
6. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 5:01:03.18
7. Matthew Green (KTM) 5:01:36.05
8. James Moore (GASGAS) 5:08:46.00
9. Suff Sella (KTM) 5:09:17.79
10. Marc Riba (KTM) 5:11:21.36