After the torrential rain and mud of the gruelling opening day, the remaining 165 Red Bull Romaniacs riders awoke to blue skies, rising temperatures and a dry course.
Winner of the previous day, UK’s Graham Jarvis led the way closely followed by KTM factory rider Chris Birch (New Zealand) and Germany’s Andreas Lettenbichler on his BMW.
But after a confident start it soon became clear that the hard riding through the day two mud had taken its toll on Jarvis’s Sherco as for the second year running, his engine overheated and the unassuming Brit had to retire halfway through the day.
Next to take the lead was Birch only for his KTM to develop technical problems as well. After several water crossings, the two-time winner of the Roof of Africa realised he had to stop to change a spark plug, handing the lead to reigning champion Andreas Lettenbichler.
‘Considering Letti’s skills, the 50 minutes lead is not a big cushion for the next two days’ – Chris Birch
“After I passed Chris, I found a good rhythm and was able to hold my speed to the finish line. I had some navigation problems in the woods before, but overall I’m really satisfied with my race today,” said Lettenbichler as he claimed the win that elevated him to second place overall, 50 minutes behind Birch.
After his quick change at the roadside, the Kiwi crossed the line in fifth place to secure the overall lead. “I had to replace a spark plug because it got wet in these nasty conditions today,” said Birch. “It took me quite a while to figure out what the problem was and I am very happy that I was able to take over the lead.
“Considering Letti’s skills, the 50 minutes lead is not a big cushion for the next two days.”
Second on the day was British privateer Paul Bolton. In the past, the truck driver/mechanic from Lancashire has dented his chances by getting lost on the course, but he made no mistake on day two as he brought his KTM back in one piece and move up to third place overall, seven minutes behind Lettenbichler.
Twenty-three minutes behind Bolton was Sweden’s Joakim Ljunggren in third and South African Jade Gutzeit claimed fourth.
You can track all the riders as they head deeper and deeper into the Carpathian mountains at redbullromaniacs.com and keep up with the action on Red Bull Web TV's Let There Be Wheels season.
© Red Bull Photofiles
 Samo Vidic.jpg "Day 2")
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