Frenchman Cyril Despres was the ultimate winner of the 2007 Red Bull Romaniacs Hard Enduro Rally, his third victory in this tough event in Romania's Carpathian Mountains.
Despres, well-known for his legendary victories, won the event in 2004 and 2005 and came home in front in the final special over 190km ahead of New Zealander Chris Birch and privateer Gerhard Forster.
Birch finished second overall and the German Forster was third in the final rankings. Cyril's friend and fellow Frenchman Michel Gau, who was the leader going into the final leg and who won last year, crashed into a tree 30 minutes into the start on the last day and broke his arm. Despres and Gau had shared the lead throughout the rally and he stopped to assist his friend and to wait until first aid arrived. Despres continued the race 20 minutes later unaware of how many riders had passed him.
Although Birch was the first to finish the last special stage, Despres was second across the line and a time credit he got for staying with Gau gave him the deserved overall victory.
"Shortly after the start Michel suddenly fell off his bike and I stopped to see what happened. He had broken his right arm and I stayed with him until the first aid people arrived. I didn't care about the race because we are friends first!" Despres said.
Chris Birch said he was happy to make it to the end but felt sorry for Gau. "I think he was the man to win," he said in a show of solidarity. Riders agreed that the final day had been the toughest in this gruelling event in the wild mountainous landscape of Romania.
Romaniacs 2007 started and ended in the city of Sibiu, the current European Cultural capital. It was opened with a display by the world's first indoor street bike freestyle world champion, German Chris Pfeiffer. Then on day two day out on the tracks, Gau, Alex Antor and Despres crossed the line ex aequo after 160 km of slippery ground, river crossings and challenging natural hazards.
The battle of man and machine against nature continued on day three with steep climbs, 60å¡ descents and rock sections as tough as the legendary Erzberg Rodeo. Riders climbed to 2000 meters in the Fagaras mountains and entered a 300-year old forest. For the second day in a row, bikes had to be roped over water hazards in scenes reminiscent of an Indiana Jones movie.
The pace continued unabated on day four with just 90 riders remaining in the event. The first half of the course was technical, snaking up and down through the thick forests and providing plenty of excellent observations spots for the spectators. Deep river crossings and steep downhill section made even the professionals stop and think before tackling their route
Despres and Gau crossed the line in unison back in Sibiu with Gau assuming the overall lead going into the final day. The Frenchman was definitely the unlucky rider on the last day but it was appropriate that if he was denied victory then it should go to his friend Despres. In the true spirit of sportsmanship, Despres had proved the hero of the day when disregarded his own chances to stay with his friend until the first aid team had arrived.
Of the 135 participants, some 78 riders completed the challenging four day event in three different categories.
Main Photo: Kiwi Chris Birch showed the ANZAC Spirit to make the podium
Credit: Peter Mathis
Overall Standings
1. Cyril Despres, KTM FRA 20:13:42
2. Gerhard Forster, Beta GER 20:51:42
3. Chris Birch, KTM NZL 20:54:43
4. Kyle Redmond, KTM USA 21:20:53
5. Alex Antor, KTM AND 21:59:18
6. Frans Verhoeven, KTM NED 22:29:31
