June 23, 2024

Red Bull Leader Tread’s Wade Young has claimed victory at round three of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship in Serbia. Young took the overall win at Xross Hard Enduro Rally ahead of Sherco Factory Racing’s Teodor Kabakchiev in second, with Michael Walkner (GASGAS) completing the podium. TTR Squadra Corse’s Mitch Brightmore fought back on Offroad Day Three to claim victory in the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM.

• Overall victory for Wade Young at FIM HEWC round three

• Mitch Brightmore tops the Junior category

• Young takes control of the world championship points lead 

Round three of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship at Xross Hard Enduro Rally drew to an exciting close on Offroad Day Three with Red Bull Leader Tread’s Wade Young (GASGAS) securing the top step of the podium in Serbia.

 Entering the final day of competition at the Xross Hard Enduro Rally with a healthy nine minute and 24 seconds over Sherco Factory Racing’s Teodor Kabakchiev, Young had a virtual grasp on the winner’s trophy. However, he still needed to overcome a brutally demanding final day to seal the deal. And with Kabakchiev ready to push the South African every step of the way, Young was offered no easy run to the finish line. 

With temperatures climbing above 30 degrees in Serbia, organisers modified the course to ease the intensity of the most demanding sections. But, with over three and a half hours of riding planned for the majority of the top riders, Offroad Day Three was still quite the workout.

With over nine minutes to make up on his rival Young, Kabakchiev gave it everything today to reel in the South African. The Bulgarian was pushing hard. After nine of 11 sectors, he had reduced the gap to just over three minutes.

 Responding, Young fought back on the final two sectors and kept the Sherco rider at bay. Topping the final sector, he celebrated across the finish line as round three winner of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship. His victory now sees him lead the championship standings at the end of round three.

Putting in an incredible ride on Offroad Day Three, Kabakchiev was rewarded for his efforts with today’s win. But in the overall classification, he would have to settle for runner-up. In the end, he finished just two minutes and 42 seconds behind Young after almost 13 hours of racing in the Xross Hard Enduro Rally.

Austria’s Michael Walkner (GASGAS) enjoyed a solid final day in Serbia to complete the podium in third.

A strong final day by Mario Roman (Sherco) saw him place fourth today to cement his position of fourth overall at round three. Also capping off an incredible event, David Cyprian (KTM) secured fifth overall in the race, his best FIM Hard Enduro World Championship result to date.

Sherco Factory Racing’s Teodor Kabakchiev was pushing hard to make up for yesterday’s lost time and trailed the South African by just 21 seconds. Jarvis Racing’s Graham Jarvis was another rider on the move. Despite a late start time due to finishing yesterday in 16th, the Hard Enduro legend put all his experience to use and lay third at the midway point of the day.

With the second half of the day featuring multiple difficult sections, Jarvis put on a masterclass and overhauled his rivals to claim a memorable stage win. For Young, hopes of back-to-back Offroad Day wins slipped from his grasp in the final moments, ending his day 19 seconds behind Jarvis as runner-up. However, the South African extended his lead to a very healthy nine minutes and 24 seconds entering tomorrow’s final Offroad Day Three.

Losing time to both Jarvis and Young late in the day, Kabakchiev ended today in third. But the Bulgarian still pulled time on Michael Walkner (GASGAS), who took fourth. Passing the Austrian for second overall in classification, the Sherco rider holds a five-minute advantage over Walkner with one day of racing remaining.

BRIGHTMORE PULLS THROUGH TO WIN JUNIORS

In the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM, the final day of racing did produce the grandstand finish we hoped for. Beginning the day, Rigo Racing’s James Moore held a two-minute lead over AG Racing’s Suff Sella, with TTR Squadra Corse’s Mitch Brightmore a further two minutes behind in third.

Brightmore meant business on Offroad Day Three and set about keeping his run of race wins alive. Reeling in both Sella and Moore, he put himself ahead on the road, and soon afterwards, ahead on corrected time. Placing sixth on the day, and sixth overall in the final standings, Brightmore claimed the top step of the Junior podium for the third consecutive time this season.

Despite coming up short on the final hurdle, Moore could still be pleased with his monumental effort in this year’s Xross Hard Enduro Rally. Regarded as a coming-of-age race for the young South African, his career-best result of eighth overall was enough to see him place as Junior runner-up to Brightmore.

The battle for the final step of the podium also changed hands on Offroad Day Three. Losing a lot of time, Sella slipped down the order. Ashton Brightmore was quick to capitalise, and with a strong ride on the final day, he brought his TTR Squadra Corse Husqvarna home in third overall.

Beta UK’s Richard Moorhouse ended round three fourth overall in Juniors, with Marc Fernandez (KTM) completing the top five.

FIFER WINS WOMEN’S HARD ENDURO PERFORMANCE AWARD SUPPORTED BY 24MX

In the Women’s Hard Enduro Performance Award supported by 24MX, it was Tjasa Fifer who took home the winner’s trophy. Fifer was the best placed woman rider in round three, thanks to her victory in the Hobby class.

After what’s been a closely fought round three at Xross Hard Enduro Rally in Serbia, the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship now looks towards round four at Red Bull Romaniacs in Romania on July 23-27.

Wade Young (GASGAS): “I’m so happy to get the job done this week and claim the race win. It’s been an amazing race, super tough with the heat, but I’ve loved it. My bike hasn’t skipped a beat all week. I can’t thank the guys at Red Bull Leader Tread enough for their support in making this result happen.”

Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco): “I gave it my all today. This is one of my favourite races. It’s pretty special to come to race in Serbia for the world championship. It would have been awesome to take the top step of the podium, but I’m pleased with how I rode, I gave it everything.”

Michael Walkner (GASGAS): “I battled back and forth today with Mario. I knew it would be close between us, so I tried hard to manage that gap I had over him. It feels incredible to be on the podium in the world championship!” 

PROVISIONAL RESULTS: ROUND THREE - XROSS HARD ENDURO RALLY

Offroad Day Three
1. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 3:21:52
2. Wade Young (GASGAS) 3:28:34
3. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 3:29:05
4. Mario Roman (Sherco) 3:30:26
5. Sonny Goggia (KTM) 3:36:55
6. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 3:37:23
7. Francesc Moret (Sherco) 3:38:54
8. Marc Riba (KTM) 3:38:55
9. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 3:39:04
10. Matthew Green (KTM) 3:42:59 

FINAL OVERALL CLASSIFICATION (AFTER OFFROAD DAY THREE)

1. Wade Young (GASGAS) 12:43:48.68
2. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 12:46:31.02
3. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 12:58:20.80
4. Mario Roman (Sherco) 13:14:33.47
5. David Cyprian (KTM) 13:45:16.73
6. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 13:50:23.68
7. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 13:57:48.36
8. James Moore (GASGAS) 13:58:40.39
9. Matthew Green (KTM) 14:01:49.31
10. Francesc Moret (Sherco) 14:06:44.73

PROVISIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (AFTER ROUND THREE)

FIM HEWC
1. Wade Young (GASGAS) 49pts
2. Mario Roman (Sherco) 47pts
3. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 45pts
4. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 40pts
5. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 38pts
6. Francesc Moret (Sherco) 27pts
7. Matthew Green (KTM) 27pts
8. Marc Riba (KTM) 25pts
9. David Cyprian (KTM) 21pts
10. Vaclav Nedved (KTM) 19pts

Moore surges ahead in fight for Junior class lead

 Rigo Racing’s James Moore is rapidly impressing everyone at round three in Serbia. The young South African is charging hard and clearly feeling at home in the hot and testing terrain. Claiming a career-best fifth today in Serbia, he now leads the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM classification.

However, the battle for the top step of the podium is set to go down to the wire tomorrow, with Moore locked in a three-way fight with AG Racing’s Suff Sella and TTR Squadra Corse’s Mitch Brightmore.

Placing sixth overall today, Sella was second quickest in Juniors. Mitch Brightmore ended his day 10th overall, slipping from first to third in the Junior category. With Moore now leading Sella by two minutes, and Brightmore by four minutes, we’re set for a grandstand finish in the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM at round three.

Provisional Results: Round Three - Xross Hard Enduro Rally

 Offroad Day Two
1. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 4:45:00
2. Wade Young (GASGAS) 4:45:20
3. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 4:48:55
4. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 4:53:46
5. James Moore (GASGAS) 5:00:24
6. Suff Sella (KTM) 5:01:53
7. Mario Roman (Sherco) 5:02:05
8. Francesc Moret (Sherco) 5:04:41
9. David Cyprian (KTM) 5:05:19
10. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 5:11:56

Classification (After Offroad Day Two)
1. Wade Young (GASGAS) 9:15:13
2. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 9:24:38
3. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 9:29:15
4. Mario Roman (Sherco) 9:44:06
5. David Cyprian (KTM) 6:59:49
6. James Moore (GASGAS) 10:09:10
7. Suff Sella (KTM) 10:11:11
8. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 10:13:00
9. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 10:18:44
10. Matthew Green (KTM) 10:18:49