Lettenbichler Wins Red Bull Romaniacs
M
anuel Lettenbichler (KTM), of
Germany, is the new leader
in the 2019 World Enduro Super
Series Championship after taking
the win at Red Bull Romaniacs,
round five of the series. Lettenbi-
chler secured the win on the final
day of racing in Romania for what
is the first WESS race win of his
career. Rockstar Energy Husqvar-
na Factory Racing's Alfredo
Gomez (ESP) and Graham Jarvis
(GB) joined him on the podium.
Holding the provisional lead at
the end of the penultimate day,
Lettenbichler was determined to
claim the top step of the podium
on the final day of racing. With a
slender one-minute and seven-
second lead over Gomez, the
German pushed hard from the
start, and following the early
climbs, he maintained his position
at the front.
Gomez appeared to struggle to
find his rhythm early on, dropping
back behind a charging Jonny
Walker (GB). The Red Bull KTM
Factory Racing rider was on top
form and provisionally led on cor-
rected time entering the service
point.
But with heavy rain greeting
riders, the already challenging
trails proved slippery and unpre-
dictable. Gomez found his rhythm
in the rain and brought the fight
back to Lettenbichler. The duo
swapped and changed position
with each passing section.
Lettenbichler entered the
Gusterita finishing arena first and
worked hard to complete the re-
maining climbs as quickly as pos-
sible. Anxiously waiting for Gomez
to arrive, the KTM rider kept one
eye on the clock and one on his
rival as the seconds ticked by.
The nerves eventually turned
to joy, and with Lettenbichler
declared the winner, the celebra-
tions could begin.
"I'm over the moon right now,
I really can't believe it," Lettenbi-
chler said after all was said and
done. "This race is really some-
thing special, and to win here
IN
THE
WIND
P50
German rider Manuel
Lettenbichler held on to win
the Red Bull Romaniacs,
round five of the World
Enduro Super Series.
PHOTO: RED BULL CONTENT POOL
