Image: Supplied.

Sherco Factory Racing’s Wade Young has claimed victory at the fourth round of the 2018 World Enduro Super Series (WESS), the annual Red Bull Romaniacs in Romania.

Runner-up on the fourth and final off-road day of the world’s toughest hard enduro, Young has etched his name into the history books as the youngest winner of the 15-year running of the race.

At the end of an epic week-long battle, he was joined on the podium by Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jonny Walker in second and third respectively.

With just four minutes separating Young and Lettenbichler entering the final day of racing at Red Bull Romaniacs, the outcome of round four was too close to call. Young led the field away and pushed hard from the off, but Lettenbichler was making time in the early sections and by the mid-way point had caught up to Young, but also brought Walker with him.

On a technical climb after the service point Lettenbichler found a way past the Sherco rider and suddenly it looked like the fight for victory was weighing in the 20-year-old German’s favour. However, the South African had other ideas and after taking a moment to regroup he made his break with about 20 kilometres to go.

Pulling clear, he charged his way into the Gusterita finishing arena and despite not winning the day topped the event overall to become the fourth different winner in this year’s WESS championship. Walker leads the WESS standings, 185 points ahead of Lettenbichler.

Behind the top three, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt finished fifth on the final day of racing to end his Red Bull Romaniacs in fourth overall. Building pace throughout the week, Spain’s Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) completed the top five in the overall classification.

The World Enduro Super Series continues with round five at Red Bull 111 Megawatt in Poland on 8-9 September.

Detailed results