KTM’S WALKER YOUNGEST EVER RIDER ON THE PODIUM AT 2012 RED BULL ROMANIACS!
published at 17.06.2012 / created by Marcia Hill
KTM’s Jonny Walker, the new rising star in the Hard Enduro scene on Sunday became the youngest ever rider to be on the podium of the Red Bull Romaniacs, coming in overall third behind winner Graham Jarvis of Britain (Husaberg) and Germany’s Andreas Lettenbichler on a Husqvarna.
Overall fourth was the 2012 winner KTM’s New Zealand Hard Enduro specialist Chris Birch. Walker’s podium was further enhanced because he was the fastest overall on the final day’s ride in the Carpathian Mountains around Romania’s Sibiu. The young British rider also won the notorious Red Bull Hare Scramble at Erzberg, Austria last weekend. Birch also had a great final day coming in third fastest. Both he and Walker also had to tough it out with injury. Birch had an injured foot and Walker dislocated his shoulder on Day Three of the Romaniacs.
While these riders let the Pro class, the field also included the expert and hobby classes making it a spectacular event enjoyed by riders with a whole range of skills. Thanks to spectacular weather organizers reported that 80 % of the field finished. Jarvis has now won the rally three times to equal the record of KTM’s Cyril Despres.
It was a sharp learning curve for Walker, KTM’s new star rider, as he had never tackled an event with GPS navigating before. “I'm here for the experience this year and want to come back next year to kick some butt. I am stoked to have made it onto the podium of this unbelievable race,” Jonny Walker said. For Birch it was disappointing as this is the first time in the past four years that he failed to make the podium. His foot injury put him at a disadvantage and while he made a strong bid in the last days he was never able to make up time he lost on Day Two.
Results Red Bull Romaniacs
Day Four
1. Jonny Walker (GB), KTM, 5:13.12 hours
2. Andreas Lettenbichler (D), Husqvarna, 5:19.10
3. Chris Birch (NZ), KTM 5:19.27
4. Graham Jarvis (GB), Husaberg, 5:20.33
5. Xavier Galindo (E), Husberg, 5:34.17
Other KTM
6. Erwin Kovacs (RO), KTM, 5:41.10
7. Melcior Faja (E), KTM, 5:42.30
8. Altus de Wet (RSA), KTM 5:49.38
Overall Result Red Bull Romaniacs 2012
1. Jarvis, 19:03.47 hours
2. Lettenbichler, 19:47.43
3. Walker, 20:12.08
4. Birch, 20:25.19
5. Galindo, 20:48.55
Other KTM
6. Faja, 21:29.35
7. Kovacs, 21:57.25
8. de Wet, KTM 23:10.11
Jonny Walker making the final charge on Day Four
Walker becomes youngest ever on Romaniacs podium
Never plain sailing for Chris Birch