Red Bull Leader Tread leader Wade Young took control of the race lead at round three of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship by winning on day one of the Xross Hard Enduro rally.
After a thrilling AKRAPOVIC Prologue qualifier on Wednesday, riders gathered early on Thursday morning for the first of three off-road days of the third round of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship at the Xross Hard Enduro rally.
With 100 kilometers awaiting them, it was Sherco Factory Racing’s Teodor Kabakchiev who was first to lead the field of 54 Pro class drivers. TTR Squadra Corse duo Ashton Brightmore and Mitch Brightmore were next on the course, with Mario Roman (Sherco) fourth driver to depart.
Fifth on the road, Red Bull Leader Tread’s Wade Young started his day with determination. Trying to catch up to his rivals ahead of him, the South African went to work, recording consistently fast sector times. As the first driver to complete the course, Young won day one of the off-road event with the correct time and now leads the race by more than five minutes.
A late starting number favored the Austrian Michael Walkner. The GASGAS rider took advantage of the tracks left by those trailblazers ahead of him to finish day one of the off-road event in second place.
Despite the opening of the day and some tire problems towards the end, Kabakchiev still recorded a good performance. The Bulgarian finished in third place and trails Walkner by just 15 seconds in the overall standings.
For Roman, the first day in the mountains at the Xross Hard Enduro Rally didn’t go as he hoped. The Spaniard achieved some good sector times, but was unable to maintain the pace of the leading trio. He finished the day in fourth place in the general classification and is 12 minutes behind race leader Young.
One of the most impressive results of the day was achieved by Czech David Cyprian. The KTM rider fought his way through the most difficult sections and finished in a deserved fifth place.
Rigo Racing’s Matthew Green placed sixth on Offroad Day One, ahead of qualifying winner Mitch Brightmore in seventh.
Brightmore leads the overall standings of the FIM Hard Enduro Junior World Championship supported by KLIM. The Briton is currently more than six minutes ahead of Suff Sella (KTM) in second place, with Ashton Brightmore (Husqvarna) in third.
Offroad Day 1
1. Wade Young (GASGAS) 4:25:53.68
2. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 4:28:28.60
3. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 4:33:42.69
4. Mario Roman (Sherco) 4:38:31.33
5. David Cyprian (KTM) 4:48:44.69
6. Matthew Green (KTM) 4:54:36.05
7. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 5:01:03.18
8. James Moore (GASGAS) 5:02:46.00
9. Suff Sella (KTM) 5:04:17.79
10. Marc Riba (KTM) 5:06:06.36
Ranking (After Offroad Day 1)
1. Wade Young (GASGAS) 4:29:53.68
2. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 4:35:28.60
3. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 4:35:42.69
4. Mario Roman (Sherco) 4:42:01.33
5. David Cyprian (KTM) 4:54:29.69
6. Mitch Brightmore (Husqvarna) 5:01:03.18
7. Matthew Green (KTM) 5:01:36.05
8. James Moore (GASGAS) 5:08:46.00
9. Suff Sella (KTM) 5:09:17.79
10. Marc Riba (KTM) 5:11:21.36
