New Zealand‰Ûªs Chris Birch has qualified sixth at the Red Bull Romaniacs enduro in Romania.
The Aucklander will now begin day one of racing at the Romaniacs in Sibiu, Romania, in a good position.
During qualifying, KTM‰Ûªs Birch jostled for places with some of the world‰Ûªs best like multi Dakar Rally winner Cyril Despres and last year's Romaniac winner Michel Gau during a 20-minute prologue to the main race.
Birch got a great start that saw him poised after only a few laps to lead the classy field of riders around the man-made track. However his luck would change after a small mechanical problem that saw Despres and a handful of other riders get by the Kiwi. Birch got the problem sorted and despite 30 degree heat managed to finish the street obstacle race in sixth.
The KTM Red Bull Romaniacs event is one of the hardest enduro events on the world circuit.
Riding a familiar KTM250EXC with factory backing, Birch can concentrate on his riding without the hassle.
Birch says, ‰ÛÏI am really looking forward to getting into the mountains tomorrow after the successful day today.‰Û
