KTM factory rider Chris Birch wins his first Romaniacs

After more than 28 hours grind in the mud and mountains of Romania's Transylvania, it was KTM factory rider Chris Birch who came away with the major prize in the 2010 Red Bull Romaniacs, the toughest four-day Extreme Enduro event on the racing calendar.

Six of the top ten finishers in the pro class were onboard the Orange machines "Made in Austria" when the riders struggled home on a last leg covering 126 km of country that only the bold and the brave dare to tackle. Second overall was Britain's Graham Jarvis, third Germany's Andreas Lettenbichler with Paul Bolten (UK KTM) in fourth place.

The first day after the prologue brought an untimely end to the Romaniacs for KTMs Extreme Endurist Taddy Blazusiak, winner of four Erzberg Rodeo Hare scrambles when he had a too close encounter with a tree and injured his shoulder.

True fighting spirit
Birch, who was a prominent rider from the first day went out 23 minutes ahead of Jarvis on the final day and showed his true kiwi fighting spirit. In the course of yet another mud filled day, he clipped a further six minutes off his total time by the time he charged through the final Red Bull winners arch to take the chequered flag and the top spot on the podium for the first time in his career.

"I'm extremely happy about taking my first overall victory," Birch said in the finish area. Graham Jarvis, one of Birch's toughest rivals was also generous with his comments for the winner. "Chris was able to add time today and also ran a terrific race," he said.

The 2010 Romaniacs was characterized by heavy rain, adding yet another dimension to the tough prologues plus four days of extreme terrain through rivers, over rocky outcrops and the forests of some of the most beautiful parts of Romania's Carpathian Mountains.

KTM Race Package Service helps keep riders in the race
KTM was present at the race not only well represented with a slew of impressive riders but also with the special KTM Race Service, which offered professional support and spare parts to riders who signed up for the package.

Final Results Pro Class
1 Chris Birch, New Zealand, KTM. 28 hours 17 minutes and 31 seconds
2. Graham Jarvis, UK, Sherco, 28:46:12
3. Andreas Lettenbichler, Germany, BMW 29:18:29
4. Paul Bolton, UK, KTM, 29:52:12
5. Jade Gutzeit, South Africa, KTM, 30:21:32
6. Lionel Seydoux, Switzerland, KTM, 33:21:58

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