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Starting from the first position is never easy but Chris Birch was not fazed and lead off at seven am Romanian time to lead day three of the Redbull Romaniacs in Sibiu, Romania. While his grip on the day would loosen, Birch still managed to keep Cyril Despres and Michel Gau, two former winners of the extreme enduro event at bay for a little while.
Birch ended day four in third behind Gau and Despres who finished in that order. His consistent riding has seen him move up from seventh at day two, two sixth yesterday and finally fourth overall today.
The ever steady Despres managed to pass the Kiwi before the first service point of the day, taking about two minutes from him, although at this point Gau was still behind.
“I was unlucky today as I got stuck on a hill which allowed Cyril [Despres] to get past me,” said Birch about being caught by Despres.
Gau though, proceeded to go faster and faster through the day to pass Birch and eventually lead Despres by about six minutes at the end of play.
This day win consolidates his position in first with a four-minute buffer over Despres.
The biggest change of the day in overall results was Alex Antor who dropped from fourth to sixth despite having quite a good day.
Although, he did lose his mini tracker, cell phone and emergency money when his water pack came unstuck. Kyle Redmond, the nineteen-year-old American fresh from a ninth placing at Erzberg Enduro – the highest placing ever for an American – stays in fifth after another solid day.
Forster Gerhard slipped to fifth from third.
Birch said at the end of the day, “Today was a great day, although comparatively it was quite fast and was an easier day, apart from one monster downhill”
“Basically my day went very smoothly and I found the riding easier so was able to get into a good flow.”
Chris said his plan for tomorrow is to “keep doing what i am doing, nothing silly, I hope for a good result but there is still a full hard day's riding to go.”
For results and images see www.redbullromaniacs.com
