South Africa’s Wade Young (Sherco) took an early advantage in the Red Bull Romaniacs with a storming ride in yesterday’s Vertical Madness time trial.
With COVID-19 forcing organisers to cancel the traditional Prologue in the centre of Sibiu, competitors headed instead to the fast, flowing tracks in the nearby foothills of the Carpathian mountain range.
Defending champion Manuel Lettenbichler (Red Bull KTM) from Germany got the day’s action underway, followed by Spain’s Alfredo Gomez (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) and British hero Graham Jarvis (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna).
Young, winner of the Romaniacs in 2018, started 12th and recorded a time 44 seconds faster than Gomez and Britain’s Billy Bolt (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna). Jarvis was fourth a further 14 seconds back with Lettenbichler 63 seconds behind Young in fifth.
“I didn’t do anything stupid today [and] kept things smooth,” said Young. “There were a few challenging uphills with a lot of roots. I’m expecting a few long days but I feel good.”
Stay tuned for regular Romaniacs updates.
