Enduro: Gomez takes Romaniacs prologue win ahead of chasing pack of Brits

Published: 13 July 2016 Updated: 13 July 2016

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Alfredo Gómez has laid down the gauntlet in this year’s Red Bull Romaniacs by scorching his way to victory in the prologue.

It was a good day for the Brits though, with the returning Jonny Walker edging out Erzbergrodeo winner Graham Jarvis for second, ensuring all of the heavy favourites ended the opening day of competition at the sharp end of the results sheets.

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With rising newcomer Billy Bolt running away with the morning’s timed qualification, many tipped the young British rookie for success, but despite impressive moments during the main prologue it wasn’t enough to stop Gómez powering his way from the second row of the grid to win his first ever prologue final.

“It’s my first time winning the prologue at Romaniacs so I’m very happy about it,” Gómez said. “I had a slow qualification run and started from the second row so I wasn’t expecting to be on the podium, let alone win it.”

The race marks Johnny Walker’s first race of the season after breaking a leg during the winter SuperEnduro series – but the Brit says he’s already feeling strong ahead of the main five-day event getting underway.

“Honestly it feels great to be back riding again. I think that’s the longest I’ve ever been unable to ride a bike. Missing both Minas Riders and Erzberg was tough but my leg just wasn’t strong enough to take the demands of a race like that.

“I’m back on a bike now for about three weeks having finally got the all clear from my doctors. Three weeks riding time is not ideal preparation to defend my Romaniacs title, I still feel a little rusty, but I believe with five days of riding I can race my way back into shape and even onto the top step of the podium.”

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By Simon Patterson

MotoGP and road racing reporter, photographer, videographer