KTM's Jonny Walker (GBR) snatched victory in a nail-biting final few minutes of the 2015 Red Bull Romaniacs Hard Enduro to make it two wins in two years. Walker lost the last stage but managed to preserve his overall lead to put himself on the top step of the podium from Husqvarna duo Graham Jarvis (GBR) and Alfredo Gómez (ESP).

Due to the favourable weather conditions throughout the race, there was not as much water in the “Appetizer” as usual but there were still plenty of mean little pools, capable of swallowing whole bikes and riders. Only Jarvis passed through like a champ whereas everyone else was struggling in this section, including Walker.

A few more drowned bikes and some fast riding later, the final cruel surprise was awaiting the riders in the famous Red Bull Romaniacs finish “Gusterita”. In addition to the already existing uphill, prologue master and “Folterknecht” new sections have been added just before the finish arch, causing utter carnage in front of the cheering crowd.

Walker was first to arrive there, after struggling slightly with the main uphill.

Only a couple of minutes ahead of Jarvis, he lost precious time in the mud-hole, which ended up costing him his victory for the day.

Jarvis, who kept chasing him nailed the finish-uphill in the first attempt and kept flying towards Walker. One of the most breathtaking finishes unfolded, with Walker being stuck in the mud and Jarvis approaching.

Jarvis pulled smoothly through the slippery section and passed Walker only meters away from the finish-line.

This last effort secured him his win for the day with a lead of just seconds. Once he had passed the Red Bull arch, Jarvis held his breath in anticipation, while Walker was struggling out of the mud and over the wet wood. But Walker pulled through and managed to preserve his overall lead, winning the 2015 Red Bull Romaniacs with just a 2 minutes 10 seconds lead over Jarvis.

Jonny Walker: “It feels awesome to win again - it was a lot tougher than last year and I am looking forward to going home!”

Graham Jarvis: “Jonny was riding really well, I pushed hard but it was very difficult to lose him during the day. This was the closest finish ever and I am still happy about being 2nd!”

Everything is possible at the Red Bull Romaniacs - and former winner Andreas Lettenbichler (D. KTM) had to learn it the hard way: he took a wrong turn in the morning of off-road Day 2 and lost enough time to cost him any chance for a podium in the overall ranking. And even though he finished off-road Day 1 in second place and completely dominated day 3, he was only able to end the race as 6th.

All of the top-guns rode “wide open” throughout the whole race; crashed and burned many times but arrived in the finish after 600 km and four long off-road Days.

Overall result 2015

1. Jonny Walker (GBR) 23h49m42s

2. Graham Jarvis (GBR) 23h51m52s

3. Alfredo Gómez (ESP) 24h48m02s

4. Paul Bolton (GBR) 25h00m10s

5. Wade Young (RSA) 25h10m40s

6. Andreas Lettenbichler (GER) 25h44m50s

7. Philipp Scholz (GER) 26h24m37s

8. Blake Gutziet (RSA) 26h27m09s

9. Lars Enöckl (AUT) 26h39m38s

10. Brett Swanepoel (RSA) 26h44m01s