A difficult weekend on a completely new course at Ditrocks Hard Enduro
Cezar Șulea completed another race weekend in the Romanian Hard Enduro Championship, on a completely new, technical and extremely demanding course.
The NordicaMoto rider had to manage a SuperEnduro-style prologue, two long offroad days, two punctures and even a complete rear shock failure on the final day. Despite the problems, Cezar continued all the way to the finish and completed the event in 8th place in Open and 3rd place in the Romanian National Championship standings.
SuperEnduro-style prologue and qualification for the final
The competition began with an intense SuperEnduro-style prologue. The course was filled with rocks, logs and obstacles that did not allow the riders many mistakes.
Cezar qualified in seventh position, managing to enter the final reserved for the ten fastest competitors.
“We had a SuperEnduro-style prologue, where I managed to qualify in seventh position and enter the final, reserved for the top ten riders. The course was difficult, full of rocks, logs and obstacles that did not allow too many mistakes.”
It was an intense start before the two difficult days spent on the offroad tracks.
Around 90 kilometres of hard enduro on the first day
The first offroad day offered the riders around 90 kilometres of authentic hard enduro, on a new course with a high level of difficulty and numerous technical sections.
Two of the climbs stood out in particular and tested the entire field. Cezar was affected by a puncture, which no longer allowed him to maintain the pace he wanted.
“Two of the climbs were truly special and tested all the riders. Unfortunately, I had a puncture, which prevented me from maintaining the pace I wanted.”
Even in these conditions, the rider continued and finished the day in eighth position.
Puncture and rear shock failure on the final day
The second day was shorter, with around 60 kilometres, but the course came with new and equally spectacular climbs.
The bad luck continued for Cezar, who suffered another puncture right at the beginning. Halfway through the course, the motorcycle’s rear shock completely failed, turning every remaining kilometre into a real battle.
“Halfway through the day, the motorcycle’s rear shock completely failed, turning every remaining kilometre into a real battle. The climbs became extremely difficult, but I continued all the way to the finish.”
Despite the technical problems, Cezar did not abandon and managed to finish the day in 9th place.
At the end of the weekend, his result meant 8th place in the Open standings and 3rd place in the Romanian National Championship, an important result before the biggest challenge of the season.
Direct Gold Class debut at Red Bull Romaniacs
Between July 28 and August 1, Sibiu will host the 23rd edition of Red Bull Romaniacs, and Cezar Șulea will be among the riders at the start.
At only 23 years of age, the rider from Covasna will take part in the famous competition for the first time and has chosen to make his debut directly in the Gold Class, the most difficult category of the rally.
“This year I will compete at Red Bull Romaniacs for the first time and I will make my debut directly in the Gold Class, the toughest category of the competition. I am 23 years old, and I find it interesting that I am the same age as this rally, which began in 2003.”
For Cezar, competing in Gold represents one of the biggest challenges he has faced so far in his career.
“The Gold Class is considered by many to be the most difficult class in hard enduro and is sometimes even called ‘impossible’. It is said that there are fewer than 50 riders in the world who can finish this rally in Gold. I hope that, after this week, I can count myself among them.”
The main objective: the finish line
The entire Romanian National Championship season has represented an important part of the preparation for Red Bull Romaniacs. The long courses, increased difficulty and problems overcome during the races have given him the experience needed before his debut in the Carpathians.
“The main objective is to reach the finish. For me, finishing Red Bull Romaniacs in Gold would represent one of the most important achievements of my career.”
Cezar arrives at Romaniacs holding third place in the Romanian Hard Enduro National Championship and believes that this season’s rounds have represented the best possible training.
“At the moment, I am third in the Romanian Hard Enduro National Championship. The championship races have been the best possible training for what is coming.”
After a weekend in which he continued to fight despite the punctures and the rear shock failure, Cezar Șulea is now preparing for the ultimate test: four offroad days in the Gold Class at Red Bull Romaniacs.The objective is clear — to reach the finish and join the small group of riders capable of completing the rally’s toughest class.
