Kiwi rider dominates class and takes 4th overall

Remember Chris Birch? We did an article about him a few months ago during his 5-day training sessions here in Luzon and Mindanao. Between May 19 to 26, the 38 year old from 'Middle Earth' has been busy riding at the 1,200-kilometer Hellas Rally Raid on the remote areas of Central Greece mountains alongside 200 competitors. 

Chris Birch dominates

His weapon of choice? The KTM 790 Adventure R. With it, he has dominated the M6 class of the week-long event, against riders riding twin cylinder motorcycles 660cc and above. Putting in a consistent run in the opening stages of the race, the KTM ambassador and racer made full use of his vast experience to climb up in the overall rankings as the race went on. Crossing the finish line on Sunday with a total race time of 27 hours and 39 minutes, Chris was thirty minutes behind overall winner Leonardo Tonelli.

The Hellas Rally Raid takes place over 7 days and in the most beautiful yet challenging Greek landscape. Participants cover a route consisting of consist of everything from stones, mud, dust, river crossings, forest, grass, and valleys. Elevations start from the sea level all the up to 2,400 meters in altitude.

Entries range from light bikes to large adventure bikes, quads, and SSVs. Chris Birch entered the M6 class which is restricted to large twin cylinder motorcycles ranginge from 650 -1300 cc.

Chris Birch dominates

Chris Birch is the current and eight-time New Zealand Enduro overall champion, three-time Roof of Africa winner and has been on the podium seven times at Red Bull Romaniacs, including winning it in 2010. He has competed successfully in the world’s biggest enduro races like Erzberg, Red Bull Last Man Standing, Hell's Gate, ISDE, WEC and EEC. Chris is New Zealand’s most successful Dakar Rally competitor, finishing 27th and second in the rookies class in 2012. Chris has ridden and raced in over thirty countries and has a thirst for adventure. Chris has been in partnership with Red Bull and KTM since 2007.