Enduro World Championship – Slovakia

As the park at Puchov closed this Sunday evening, the riders were exhausted and seemed lost. The bikes bore the marks of a race that will undoubtedly be the biggest mechanical challenge of the season. For two days, participants in the MAXXIS FIM ENDURO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP have taken part in a test of strength, including an Enduro Test where the only word on the riders lips was survival. Cooled by the rainy morning, the second round of the SLOVAKIA IRS GRAND PRIX, powered by CASINO BONVER, was led once again by the experts, providing an unprecedented ranking.

Without headaches and loss of balance to hamper him, Johnny AUBERT (FRA-KTM) was back at his best. Very good in these technical conditions, the Frenchman refound the powerful, well-timed riding that brought him success in previous seasons. Testimony to this, he held a 36 second margin over his closest rival and was the winner in all categories.

Yesterday’s hero, Cristobal GUERRERO (ESP-YAM) had to throw in the towel in the Enduro Test, where he dislocated his shoulder. Second place was played out between the trio-Seistola-Remes-Meo. Antoine MEO (FRA-HVA) showed that there was still room for further development. The championship leader had a number of falls and motor problems, but he managed to take the podium ahead of his team mate Matti SEISTOLA (SF-HVA). Faster in each section, the Finn had to finish the race on the rim of his tyre. Gleaned from the first timed laps of the morning, it was this advantage which enabled Eero REMES (SF-KTM) to take second place in the Enduro 1.

The sensation of the weekend in ENDURO 2 was Thomas OLDRATI (ITA-KTM) – who won his first victory in the big league. The 2008 Junior World Champion gave a dazzling performance in front of the heavyweights and offered the Italian Enduro the success it has been waiting a long time for. Thomas OLDRATI said: « It is a magnificent day for me. I tried to attack from the start in order to get the result I got. I simply wish to thank my team, which is always behind me, Alessandro Belometti who helps me a lot. My bike was certainly an advantage in these conditions, but I rode strongly. »

Oldrati left Mika AHOLA (SF-HM) behind him by 17.90 seconds and Ivan CERVANTES (ESP-KTM) in third frustrated by the mud. The Spaniard conceded two extra points to the Finnish leader who now has a 21 point advantage. The most amusing story of the day involved Pierre-Alexandre RENET (FRA-KTM). A spectator of the Enduro test who had arived on a motorcycle dropped his helmet, which plummeted onto the track and hit the front brake of the Frenchman’s KTM. With a buckled disc, Renet was handicapped throughout the second lap and ended fourth.

In ENDURO 3, David KNIGHT (GB-KTM) took revenge for his misgivings the previous day. The Briton visibly found an accord with his bike that seemed to have evolved throughout the week. His success was obvious as he took a 52.11 second lead. Sebastien GUILLAUME (FRA-HVA) took second place, after a brawl with his opponent Simone ALBERGONI (ITA-KTM), who was stuck in the dirt, and Christophe NAMBOTIN (FRA -GAS). Yesterday’s winner was delayed in the early morning test and also damaged his motorcycle as he collided with a tree on the enduro test but remained on the podium in the big bike category. Bartosz OBLUCKI (POL-HVA) had to abandon as he fell victim to the same issues as teammate SEISTOLA in E1.

As per the previous day, and as a result of his success in Poland, Jeremy JOLY(FRA-HM) took the JUNIOR championship once again, achieving the first double of his career, whilst his rival Lorenzo SANTOLINO (ESP-KTM) abandoned the race.