WESS Privateers To Watch At Red Bull Romaniacs

One of the primary goals of the World Enduro Super Series is to celebrate the participation of both professional and amateur competitors, in all rounds of the championship. In a sport where talent, commitment and a focused work ethic can get you far, throughout 2019 we’ve regularly witnessed German privateer Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) successfully take the fight to his factory-supported rivals.

While Lettenbichler and Enduro’s top riders are expected to dominate the headlines during this year’s Red Bull Romaniacs, there are also a whole host of top-performing privateer riders in the hunt for promising results.

Determined not to just ‘make up the numbers’ these competitors – all 21 years old or younger –  will be putting it all on the line during the world’s toughest Hard Enduro Rallye…

Name: David Cyprian
Nationality: Czech
Team JD Gunnex KTM
Instagram: @davidcyprian62

Czech Republic’s David Cyprian is one of the championship’s true privateers bringing the fight to the established stars on a regular basis. At the halfway point in the season, the JD Gunnex KTM rider holds down a very impressive top-15 position in the series standings. However, expect his best to come at Red Bull Romaniacs. Seventh in 2018, Cyprian’s strengths lie in long distance races. A quietly-spoken rider who lets his riding do the talking, he likes to chip away at the results each day and get faster as the week goes on.

Name: Michael Walkner
Nationality: Austrian
Team: N/A
Instagram: @walknermichael

Michael Walkner is a rider who is making his presence felt in 2019. The Austrian privateer, competing in his first full season of WESS, sits a competitive 18th overall after four rounds. The highlight of his season so far was a 17th place finish at Hixpania Hard Enduro. For 2019, Walkner moves up to the Gold class at Red Bull Romaniacs having placed as the Silver class runner-up last year. A strong ride 12 months ago saw him win two off-road days and he’ll certainly be eager to use that experience to his advantage this time around.

Name: Will Hoare
Nationality: British
Team: Eurotek KTM
Instagram: @willhoare80

Competing under the Eurotek KTM awning, British youngster Will Hoare sits 23rd overall in the WESS championship chase. The reigning FIM SuperEnduro Junior World Champion is adapting well to his first full season of WESS and will look to impress in his debut Red Bull Romaniacs appearance. A rider with bags of natural talent, Hoare has a strong skill set, matched with a dogged-determination that should steer him in the right direction during the weeklong race in the Carpathian Mountains.

Name: Matthew Green
Nationality: South African
Team: Kargo Liqui Moly Racing
Instagram: @mattgreen47

At just 17 years old, South Africa’s Matthew Green is one of the youngest riders contesting the top-tier classes in WESS. The Kargo Liqui Moly Racing rider has had mixed fortunes so far as he adapts to his first season in the mixed-discipline championship. Qualifying inside the top-50 for round three at the Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble, his race was frustratingly cut short when he was involved in a multi-rider crash on one of the many early climbs. Determined to make amends at Hixpania Hard Enduro, he finished a confidence-boosting 22nd. Racing to sixth in the Silver class at last year’s Red Bull Romaniacs, he’ll contest the Gold class for 2019.

Name: Suff Sella
Nationality: Israeli
Team: N/A
Instagram: @suffsella47

Israel’s Suff Sella is a young rider with the natural potential to become one of Enduro’s stars of the future. The 16-year-old has been gaining both experience and notoriety in Enduro since bursting onto the scene a few years ago when he raced a KTM 85cc. Training under the watchful eye of Paul Bolton, Sella is growing in stature. Finishing 61st at the formidable Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble, he’s ready for his first outing in the Gold class at Red Bull Romaniacs.

Name: Alessandro Azzalini
Nationality: Italian
Team: TTR Officine Rigamonti
Instagram: @azzalini_alessandro

Racing for TTR Officine Rigamonti for 2019, Italy’s Alessandro Azzalini enters round five placed 26th overall in the championship standings. Experiencing many of the events for the first time, he’s adapted well to the challenges faced. With past experience in Red Bull Romaniacs, he’ll aim to put his best foot forward when the competition begins on July 30.

The World Enduro Super Series continues with round five at Red Bull Romaniacs on July 30 – August 3.

Championship Standings (After Round 4 of 8)

1. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna – GB) 2690pts; 2. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM – GER) 2570pts; 3. Mario Roman (Sherco – ESP) 2540; 4. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna – ESP) 2314; 5. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna – GB) 2155; 6. Josep Garcia (KTM – ESP) 2125pts; 7. Jonny Walker (KTM – GB) 2090pts; 8. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM – POL) 1900pts; 9. Nathan Watson (KTM – GB) 1631pts; 10. Travis Teasdale (KTM – RSA) 1610pts…

Red Bull Romaniacs Entry List

Competitors 2019

https://www.redbullromaniacs.com/2019-edition/competitors-2019/

Red Bull Romaniacs Fast Facts

211. Bronze class competitors entered for 2019
26. Wade Young’s 2018 winning time in hours
34. Gold class competitors entered for the 16th edition
20. Track managers preparing the four off road days
12. Wacky obstacles planned for city prologue in Sibiu
6. Wins held by Graham Jarvis, the event’s most successful rider

Red Bull Romaniacs 2018 Podium

1. Wade Young (Sherco) 2. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 3. Jonny Walker (KTM)

Red Bull Romaniacs Past Winners

2018: Wade Young (Sherco)
2017: Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna)
2016: Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna)
2015: Jonny Walker (KTM)
2014: Jonny Walker (KTM)
2013: Graham Jarvis (Husaberg)
2012: Graham Jarvis (Husaberg)
2011: Graham Jarvis (Husaberg)
2010: Chris Birch (KTM)
2009: Andreas Lettenbichler (BMW)
2008: Graham Jarvis (Sherco)
2007: Cyril Despres (KTM)
2006: Michel Gau (KTM)
2005: Cyril Despres (KTM)
2004: Cyril Despres (KTM) 

Red Bull Romaniacs Event Information 

Website: www.redbullromaniacs.com
Facebook: Red Bull Romaniacs
Instagram: @redbullromaniacs
Twitter: @RedBullRomaniac

Photo credit: Future7Media