Chris Birch is one of the best offroad bikers in the world, but after the gruelling Red Bull Hare Scramble, he admitted that it’s a tough test even for the best.

The Erzberg – or ‘iron mountain’ – in Austria, scene of last weekend’s Erzberg Rodeo, doesn’t take prisoners, as the New Zealander was willing to admit afterwards as he talked to us about his disappointing weekend, but also his hopes for the next challenge ahead.

The Red Bull Hare Scramble is over – how would you describe it?

I am terribly disappointed – nothing went the way I wanted it to. It was just a tiny mistake – I slipped and a stone drilled itself into my engine, which ended the race for me. It's just a real bummer. I was in good shape and hoped to achieve a lot this year. But being fit and good at racing doesn't mean you can just win this thing.

Is it actually possible to make plans before this race?

Of course you can, but there's no guarantee that they will work. You start by creating a certain scenario in your head months before the competition starts – that's a good way to push you while training. But at the Red Bull Hare Scramble, a small thing is enough to completely ruin everything you have planned before.

How much did the change of weather affect the weekend at the Erzberg?

Rain would have been fine with me, although I don't have any problems with the high temperatures [measured at 34ºC], either. It was way hotter last year, but not easier. There were some moments this year where I just wanted to start screaming in anger. But that's also a characteristic of this race!

Will you return next year?

If nothing else crops up, I definitely will. After all, the Erzberg still owes me something.

Taddy Blazusiak celebrated his fourth victory at the Red Bull Hare Scramble this year, despite the race’s reputation as a bike-breaker – how is that possible?

You can't explain it, just because anything can happen and your race might be over within seconds. The respect I have for Taddy and his performance is huge.

What's up next for you?

The Red Bull Romaniacs, my absolute number one event. There are so many key factors that you need to consider – track knowledge, navigation, and, of course, riding skills. So I’ve set myself that goal: I want to win in Romania.

Comments (31)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

NFL Jerseys said:

	... if you are a diehard fan of Football Jerseys, the Wholesale authentic jerseys could be the perfect item for you to have the team spirit. very happy to read your blog.Thank you for sharing this article.It is great! Thanks for sharing this nice post.I will keep your article in my idea.
	report abuse vote down vote up

August 26, 2011
Votes: +0

SarahWilson said:

	... Great beat! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how can I subscribe for a blog website? The account helped me an acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea. Bridesmaid dresses
	report abuse vote down vote up

September 01, 2011
Votes: +0

Chanel Bags Online said:

	... The replica cartier Coach Factory watch are the bestChanel Purse substitutes that
	report abuse vote down vote up

September 01, 2011
Votes: +0

Burberry Scarves said:

	... Despite preliminary damage Louis Vuitton Outlet estimates for Hurricane Irene ranking Burberry Scarves
	report abuse vote down vote up

September 01, 2011
Votes: +0

monster beats said:

	... You should take advantage of it.timberland boots,timberland boots tods shoes,tods shoes
	report abuse vote down vote up

September 13, 2011
Votes: +0

chanel handbags said:

	... wheat bags leather bag men's brand, Burberry Bagsand can withstand genuine identification, routine maintenance to teach you how to leather bags.Chanel Handbags
	report abuse vote down vote up

September 13, 2011
Votes: +0

monster beats said:

	... You should take advantage of it.Vivienne Westwood Jewellery, Vivienne Westwood Jewellery Authentic NFL Jerseys, Authentic NFL Jerseys
	report abuse vote down vote up

September 22, 2011
Votes: +0

Microsoft Office 2010 said:

	... So I am thinking Microsoft Office 2010 Vista and Seven should only do better. This Office 2010 download is an odd kind of product where Outlook 2010 some people just aren't going to be able to avoid buying it.
	report abuse vote down vote up

October 20, 2011
Votes: +0

belstaff said:

	... belstaff belstaff jacken
	report abuse vote down vote up

October 28, 2011
Votes: +0

True Religion Brand Jeans said:

	... Lynette Johnson, Ronald Johnson's widow, broke down in tears and had to be escorted off the witness true religion jeans outlet as she testified about how her life has been ruined because of Robert's actions on April 12. In their 34 years together, they spent a total of six nights apart, she said.
	report abuse vote down vote up

October 28, 2011
Votes: +0

louis vuitton replica said:

... We are known as the Best Rolex Replica Watches supplier, Free Shipping to all over the world, all watches here have the 10 days money back guarantee. Rolex watches on sale at online replica rolex watches wholesale store, High quality replica rolex watches waiting for you to buy! Buy highest quality Rolex replica watches and other replica watches at cheap wholesale price. The Rolex Datejust is an officially certified, self-winding chronometer wristwatch manufactured by Rolex. The Datejust was the first wristwatch with a date function, in 1945.

report abuse vote down vote up

November 03, 2011
Votes: +0

moncler URL said:

	... fywi muo
	report abuse vote down vote up

November 06, 2011
Votes: +0

kyon said:

	... Yeah the world of red bull is really awesome, many extreme sports and many artist as this guy, there's a friend in xlpharmacy that like sports like this and he was planning on get into this world.
	report abuse vote down vote up

November 08, 2011
Votes: +0

Cowboys Jersey said:

	... Cowboys Jersey Chuck Howley Jersey You can also see many jerseys of hot players such as Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and so on; you can choose what you like best from them. They are all free shipping and not tax.
	report abuse vote down vote up

November 10, 2011
Votes: +0

Sale Uggs said:

	... of every age group. In fact, it would be interesting to obtain Bailey Button Bomber Boot a family look
	report abuse vote down vote up

November 15, 2011
Votes: +0

monster ear phones said:

	... Even if you're in the home by yourself, you can still be attracted solo hd headphone away from your composing by plans on your own computer--Twitter, Fb, Skype messages showing up, and that monster ear phones at any time distracting "You've received mail" chime from your inbox.
	report abuse vote down vote up

November 19, 2011
Votes: +0

Coach Outlet Online said:

	... As a fashionista,Coach Outlet Online you should deeply know how important Coach Factory Outletto collect a set of outfits in summer.
	report abuse vote down vote up

November 24, 2011
Votes: +0

SFP Transceiver said:

	... Order fiber optic transceiver from SFPEX - the leading manufacturer of optical transceiver such as sfp, SFP+, xfp, X2, XENPAK, GBIC, BIDI, CWDM, DWDM.
	report abuse vote down vote up

November 24, 2011
Votes: +0

Coach Outlet said:

	... which on Coach Outlet Tuesday fell more than 3 percent,moves in the opposite direction of its price,trading session have often failed to carry through.
	report abuse vote down vote up

December 01, 2011
Votes: +0

Coach Outlet Online said:

	... The previous Coach Factory Storecollection thatCoach Factory Outlet has
	report abuse vote down vote up

December 10, 2011
Votes: +0

Coach Outlet Online said:

	... I'm happy I found this blog ! Coach Factory Online It's very good and thank you for sharing it !Coach Factory Outlet
	report abuse vote down vote up

December 15, 2011
Votes: +0

Dr Dre Headphones said:

	... Cheap Beats By Dr Dre or Moncler Sale or Beats By Dr Dre Outlet or Dr Dre Headphones or Cheap Dre Beats or Beats By Dre or or beats headphones or Dr Dre beats dr dre beats Dr Dre Headphones dr dre headphones
	report abuse vote down vote up

December 15, 2011
Votes: +0

North Face Jackets Clearance said:

	... The coating imparts an excellent corrosion resistant film, essentially impermeableNorth Face Winter Jackets to water. It is a hard, yet flexible coating film that is both abrasion resistant and
	report abuse vote down vote up

December 20, 2011
Votes: +0

sdsdmnh said:

	... I am very happy to read this. This is the type of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that is at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this greatest doc. Are you interested in tag heuer monaco replica ?
	report abuse vote down vote up

December 24, 2011
Votes: +0

Coach Outlet said:

	... STAMFORD, Conn. Coach Factory Outletthree children and the
	report abuse vote down vote up

December 26, 2011
Votes: +0

Cheap Dre Beats said:

	... Dr Dre beats or dr dre beats sale or dre beats outlet or dr dre beats outlet or Cheap Dre Beats or beats headphones or Dr Dre beats or dre beats outlet or dr dre beats sale dre beats outlet Cheap Dre Beats
	report abuse vote down vote up

January 08, 2012
Votes: +0

Supra Skytop said:

... You don’t have to actu-ally go to the bank to deposit your pay; and supra store at Supra Muska Skytop Shoes Black Pure Red unambiguous common standard? You can find reputable counseling firms through the Supra Shoes Federation for supra store Counseling’s Web site (www, “I love the FT. Social networking software is one such category! The Supra Vulk Low Shoes Red is in fact elected by fellow directors; At senior levels 119CEOs and 145 Finance Directors (CFOs) spent more than 5% of Supra Shoes Society NS timeon investor relations? Unable to find a position that paid a decent wage using her En-glish degree, because you’ll find some great bargains when the are running Wall Street. (2) Empathic design is usually conducted through direct interactionbetween those who have a deep understanding of fi!

report abuse vote down vote up

January 09, 2012
Votes: +0

coach factory outlet said:

	... coach factory outlet offers you the modern and very comfortable coach bags. Since many women often do not know things and are daily buses to challenge their handbags handbag, also comprehensive.coach factory online provide These purses, handbags and wallets can be carried with formal wear as well as with evening wear, matching with the outfit.
	report abuse vote down vote up

January 10, 2012
Votes: +0

coach outlet online said:

	... As a perfect combination of classic and modern fashion, coach outlet online can show the customers'unique personality.coach factory outlet uses graceful accessories to match the classical logo of coach, which is the best combination of coach. The handmade coach products?can make you more charming and graceful.
	report abuse vote down vote up

January 10, 2012
Votes: +0

coach outlet online said:

	... As our coach outlet online guarantees high quality for you, we have gained more customers'trust. The more they order, the more discounts they will enjoy.The choices are likely to be basically countless seeing that coach outlet occurs with the help of completely new and also incredible concepts once in a while.
	report abuse vote down vote up

January 10, 2012
Votes: +0

louis vuitton uk said:

... Our online store offers you discounted Designer louis vuitton replica wallet at present. You could find them in desirable quality and price. If you don't mind high class louis vuitton uk, have a good time here.You don,t need to go out of your house and wander about to find the LV Bags you like.Additionally, special discounts of the goods such as louis vuitton Purses are offered everyday. Hurry up!

report abuse vote down vote up

January 10, 2012
Votes: +0

Name

Comment

smaller | bigger

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment