The battle for the Red Bull Romaniacs Adventure Ultimate title could hardly be closer heading into the final Offroad Day.
After two days of technical racing, Offroad Day 3 initially offered faster and more flowing tracks before developing into a battlefield of steep climbs, difficult descents and Hard Enduro-style terrain.
Pol Tarrés delivered his strongest response of the event, beating Mario Roman by only five seconds. Roman, however, remains the overall leader with a narrow advantage of 5m 10s. With Dieter Rudolf also still firmly involved, the Adventure Ultimate podium fight is set for a dramatic conclusion.
Pol Tarrés Strikes Back on Offroad Day 3
Mario Roman had won the Adventure Ultimate class on both previous Offroad Days aboard the CFMOTO, but his advantage was never comfortable.
Tarrés used his extensive Red Bull Romaniacs experience on the Yamaha Ténéré 700 to make his move on Day 3. After another long and physically demanding stage, the Yamaha rider completed the course just five seconds faster than Roman.
The result showed how evenly matched the two leading riders are. One small mistake, a difficult bike recovery or a missed line could still decide the entire race on the final day.
Adventure Ultimate – Offroad Day 3
- Pol Tarrés – Andorra
- Mario Roman – Spain, CFMOTO
- Dieter Rudolf – Austria
Dieter Rudolf Remains in the Podium Fight
Dieter Rudolf continued his impressive first appearance in the Adventure category by finishing third, only 4m 44s behind Tarrés.
Roman leads the overall classification, but only 5m 13s separate Tarrés and Rudolf from the leader, leaving all three riders in contention before the final Offroad Day. With the margins this small, the podium order remains far from decided.
Ivan Cervantes Sacrifices His Race to Save Jonny Walker’s Challenge
Jonny Walker completed Offroad Day 3 in fourth position aboard the Triumph, a result that looked impossible after the previous stage.
Walker broke his clutch on Offroad Day 2 and would not have been able to start again without help from Triumph teammate Ivan Cervantes. Cervantes sacrificed his own race and supplied the parts needed to repair Walker’s motorcycle, allowing him to continue fighting for an Adventure Ultimate podium.
The Spanish rider had returned to Red Bull Romaniacs for the first time in more than a decade. His career includes five Enduro World Championship titles and 21 Spanish Enduro Championship victories.
After beginning the event strongly in Adventure Core, Cervantes faced a more difficult second Offroad Day. When he saw Walker still fighting near the front of the Ultimate classification, he immediately chose to help his teammate.
Walker’s fourth-place result was therefore not only the result of his own determination, but also a major demonstration of teamwork and sportsmanship.
Adventure Core Riders Pushed to Exhaustion
Adventure Core stepped up significantly in difficulty on Offroad Day 3. Several riders had to dismount and physically guide their motorcycles down the steep descent.
That is already difficult with a lightweight enduro motorcycle. With a heavy Adventure bike, it became an exhausting test of strength and control. The slippery off-camber climbs also consumed huge amounts of energy, leaving riders with aching shoulders by the finish.
Jose Antonio Lombardia took the class victory ahead of Rene Columna and Panagiotis Kouzis.
Adventure Core – Offroad Day 3
- Jose Antonio Lombardia – Spain
- Rene Columna – Dominican Republic
- Panagiotis Kouzis – Greece
Sam Sunderland Still Within Reach of the Core Lead
Sam Sunderland did not enjoy his strongest day and lost time on the course. However, the Triumph rider remains only two minutes behind the overall leader, meaning the Adventure Core title fight is still completely open.
The final stage will determine whether Sunderland can recover the lost ground or whether one of his rivals can protect the advantage all the way to the finish.
Adrian Răduță Wins Adventure Lite
Adventure Lite faced slightly easier tracks, but after three consecutive Offroad Days, fatigue had become a major part of the challenge.
The riders encountered more classic Romaniacs terrain towards the finish, including long and steep downhill sections. Romania’s Adrian Răduță set the fastest time, with Mark Newton finishing second and Liviu Mircea Bereteu taking third.
Adventure Lite – Offroad Day 3
- Adrian Răduță – Romania
- Mark Newton – New Zealand
- Liviu Mircea Bereteu – Romania
Everything Will Be Decided on the Final Day
Mario Roman remains the Adventure Ultimate leader, but his advantage over Pol Tarrés is only 5m 10s.
Dieter Rudolf is also close enough to take advantage of any mistake made by the leading pair. In Adventure Core, only two minutes separate Sam Sunderland from the overall lead, while Adventure Lite riders must overcome one final day after three stages of accumulated exhaustion.
The Adventure Bike categories now head into the decisive stage with every major classification still open.
