After taking 3rd place in the Red Bull Romaniacs earlier this year, Chris Birch from New Zealand blitzed an international field to claim 1st place in one of the toughest Enduro events of the year.
Rocks, valleys, hill-climbs and steep down-hills tested concentration, strength and fitness for every man and machine competing in the 2008 Roof of Africa Rally.With only 89 of the original 300 competitors finishing it is obvious that the 41st running of the race was hard on all the competitors.Red Bull athlete Chris Birch, riding on a KTM standard 300cc machine gave everyone a riding lesson and indirectly challenged the Southern African riders to up their sport to a new level, beating second placed Mr Price Red Yamaha’s Jade Gutzeit by a massive 48 minutes and 37 seconds.
After Thursday’s 89km, Friday’s 182km and today’s 180km all agreed that this was one of the most technical Roofs ever. “You had to concentrate and negotiate each and every challenge as they came along,” remarked Louwrens Mahoney, winner for the last three years, who managed a brave 8th place overall this year.
After a total 15 hours 53 minutes and 36 seconds on the bike, over the three days, Chris Birch remarked: “We do not have anything like this at home. The terrain is absolutely amazing and the best off-road conditions I have seen anywhere. This race compares well with any of the top events I have competed in around the world.”
When asked how he felt, Birch replied: “Today I am exhausted, over the three days the difficulty factor stepped up drastically every day. Today was really tough with ‘Donkey-Pass’ and ‘Lucky-Pass’ sapping the last strength and energy out of your body. I am tired now but I would like to come back next year to defend my title.”
With a total of 22 overseas contestants, competing in this year’s event it truly strengthens the international status of the race. Gerhard Forster from the BMW Factory Team in Germany must have had the worst luck amongst the overseas riders when he hit a fence post ripping the ligaments in his left upper arm. Not only was he not able to start the last day, but he will have undergo surgery to have the shoulder fixed.
With everyone looking forward to next year’s event, training programs will definitely be revisited and motorcycles repaired after this great event, so that the top riders can challenge ‘Birchy’ next year.
Congratulations Chris on a great win!
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