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--  2013 World Enduro Championship is ready to rock After four months of waiting, the highly anticipated start of the 2013 MAXXIS FIM Enduro World Championship is now just days away with the series kicking off with the Grand Prix Acerbis of Chile! As last year, this Grand Prix is the first of 7 rounds and will take place once again in the capital of Maule region and around the foot of the Cordillera of Andes, Talca. Once again, a big heat will welcome the riders that are all back from a winter preparation. For the second consecutive year, the FIM has awarded the Federacion de Motociclisme de Chile and Abascal Produccion the honour of hosting the first round of what is expected to be a thrilling season. This federation, with Jose Tomas DIAZ as Enduro delegate have a wealth of experience. Indeed, she has been a part of the organizers of the 2011 and 2012 Dakar, has its own National Championship and has welcomed the ISDE in 2007 in La Serena. On his side, the organizers is great fervent of the Enduro and was at the origin of the coming of the EWC in Chile. The Federacion Motociclisme de Chile (FMC) and Rodrigo ABASCAL have prepared a track of 60 kilometres, which will be ridden three times each day during the two days of competition. Each lap will feature two Time Checks. The paddock will be situated once again in the centre of Talca on the “Mall Plaza Maule”. The Enduro Test will take place in Maitenhuapi while the Xtreme Test and the Cross Test will be located in Cerro La Virgen, near a Motocross track. Friday night’s KTM Super Test will run at the same place than last year in the heart of Talca. The tracks, trails and special tests are expected to be very dry, dusty, challenging and rocky and had caused some damaged to some favourites in 2012. Talca is situated in the province of the same name and is the capital of the Maule region. This charming city, of 231’5 km2 has a more than 201 797 inhabitant, is located in a highly seismic region as the stars of the EWC have experienced last year. It is 253 km South of Santiago, the capital of the country. It is crossed by the Pan-American Highway that starts in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska and finishes in Ushuaia, Argentina. On the history side, the Catholic church of Talca played a big part in the Chile’s history. Talca is also one of Chile’s better-known wine growing regions. With once again more than 150 competitors entered for the event, the Enduro World Championship is set to start in spectacular fashion and in one of the world’s most picturesque places. Every EWC stars are ready to race on the South American track. Antoine MEO (F – KTM) is the big favourite for his own succession in the E1 class just like Juha SALMINEN (SF – HVA) that will target a 9th crown. These two champions will also have to face Cristobal GUERRERO (E – KTM), Matti SEISTOLA (SF – HVA) and Thomas OLDRATI (I – Husaberg) that will look for their first World title. The Italian Simone ALBERGONI (I – HM Honda), the Finn Eero REMES (TM) and also the Frenchies Jérémy JOLY (F – Honda), Nicolas DEPARROIS (Yam) and Anthony BOISSIERE (Sherco) will be the most serious outsiders. On his side, Pierre-Alexandre RENET (F – Husaberg), 2012 E2 World Champion, will have a lot to do with the trio David KNIGHT (GB – Honda), Ivan CERVANTES (E – KTM) and Johnny AUBERT (F – KTM) that account 9 World titles… But the Italians Oscar BALLETTI (KTM) and Alex SALVINI (HM Honda) as the Spanish Oriol MENA (Husaberg) and Lorenzo SANTOLINO (HVA) but also the French Antoine BASSET (Yam) can play the spoilers. The E3 class must offer some nice fight between Christophe NAMBOTIN (F – KTM) and his rivals Joakim LJUNGGREN (S – Husaberg), Aigar LEOK (EST – TM) and Rodrig THAIN (F – Gas Gas)… We will also attend to the hatching of Mathias BELLINO (F – Husaberg) in Senior class but also to the come back on the foreground to Fabien PLANET (F – Sherco) and Marko TARKKALA (S – Honda) and to the confirmations of Manuel MONNI (I – KTM) and Luis CORREIA (P – Beta). Finally, in the Junior category, a quartet composed of Mario ROMAN (E – Husaberg), Giacomo REDONDI (I – KTM), Danny MCCANNEY (GB – Gas Gas) and Robert KVARNSTROM (S – Beta) share the favours. The great loser of this South American tour will be Jonathan MANZI (I – KTM) as he will not participate to it. But some young guns as Edoardo D’AMBROSIO (I – Yam), Loic LARRIEU (F – Husaberg) and Johan EDLUND (S – Husaberg) can create the surprise… In the FIM Youth Cup 125cc, the duel announced between Matteo BRESOLIN (I – KTM) and Jamie MCCANNEY (GB – Husaberg) can see the coming of a third rider as local Benjamin HERRERA (CL – TM) will benefit of the fervour of the warming Chilean public. This Grand Prix Acerbis of Chile is a much looked forward to event on the South American continent. Anticipating the arrival of the stars of the Enduro World Championship Chilean, Argentinean and Guatemalan enduro fans will soon gather in Talca where the Federacion Motociclisme de Chile has prepared an international celebration of off-road motorcycle competition that’s not to be missed…. Information: - Talca (Region of Maule); - 250 kms from Santiago of Chile; - Friday, March 23rd: Super Test; - March 24th/25th: Start at 9:00 – Finish at 16:00; - Organizers: Federacion Motociclisme de Chile and ABASCAL Produccion; - Website: www.enduro-abc.com and www.ewcchile.cl; - Track: 60 kms – Three laps; - Free access; - Airport: Santiago of Chile (250kms) The Europeans have landed… Only one day before the start of the 2013 Maxxis FIM Enduro World Championship, let’s take a look to rumors and news from the paddock… Arrival Since Tuesday, every EWC European protagonists (61 riders) are in the “Mall Plaza Maule” in Talca, the paddock place. Mechanics and Managers had a lot of work from Wednesday morning, getting back their boxes and preparing the bikes before Friday’s technical inspection. On their side, just arrived, the riders went to recognize the special test with a stifling heat to be ready for KTM Super Test on Friday evening. We feel the pressure growing while we are just a day before the start. Acerbis During this Grand Prix of Chile sponsored by Acerbis, Franco ACERBIS, iconic boss of the Italian brand, will be present this weekend. Accompanied by South America responsible Roberto SCHENA, he will attend to the first round of the season and Talca and will have the opportunity to watch the Chilean fervor for the Enduro. KTM getting back their boxes Surgery The Championship hasn’t started yet that the surgery is already full. Indeed, Mathias BELLINO (F – Husaberg) will not take part to the South American tour. The 2012 World Champion wasn’t 100% ready after his wrist surgery and he seriously injured a finger during last training. Jérémy TARROUX (F – Sherco), shoulder surgery, and Kevin ROHMER (F – Yam), injured during the 2012 ISDE, will be also absent. We wish them a fast recovery and to see them back on a bike for the Iberia tour. KTM Super Test As last year, the first KTM Super Test of the season will take place in the heart of Talca, in regional gymnasium. Shorter than last year, the track will be surrounded by tribunes and that must give to the first Special Test more span and fervor. See you tomorrow at 19.00 in the Regional Gymnasium in Talca. Nicolas URRUTIA Last year, Nicolas URRUTIA (CL – Yam) has impressed his people by clinching nice places in the E1 Top 15 during each race day where he was fighting with riders as Antti HELLSTEN (SF) or Lorenzo SANTOLINO (E – HVA). This season, the rider aged of 35 years old, makes his come back on the EWC once again on the handlebar of a Yamaha in E1 and is looking to make big noise. We remind you that URRUTIA is the emblematic captain of Chile team in the ISDE and he is 5 times Chilean Enduro Champion. Johansson MPE One year ago, Johansson MPE and its manager Joakim JOHANSSON couldn’t take part to this tour out of Europe. But this year, the Swedish team is present and has engaged its three male riders. Indeed, French Jérémy JOLY (Honda) will ride in E1 category, while convalescent Marko TARKKALA (SF – Honda) will compete in E3 and young Australian prospect Mitcham HARPER (Honda) in the Junior class. Good new Finally, Jonathan MANZI (I – KTM) will be in Talca. Indeed, for a long time announced as the big loser of this start of the season in the Junior class, from a probable absence during the South American tour, the Italian will be finally here. MANZI will have his word to say this weekend the Junior World title race in which he is one of the favourite. CMBelometti 2012 has been disappointing and frustrating for Alex BELOMETTI (I). While he tried the experience with Bordone Ferrari as manager, the team had some economic problems. But in 2013, the Italian has decided to do it his own way and has created his own team equipped of Yamaha: the CMBelometti Racing team is born. Proof of his will and relations, and with the help of his friend Walter FORTICHIARI back on the EWC, he has engaged two riders: Edoardo D’AMBROSIO (I) and Nicholas PICCININI. Good luck to this highly motivated and already experienced new team. Story of family… To the occasion of this first Grand Prix of the season, not less than four brotherhoods will compete. As last year, the ISRAEL’s brothers (Honda), Benjamin and Vicente, stars in their country, will take the start on the Enduro 2 class. The CAIMI’s brothers (KTM) will be also here. Franco will compete in E2 while Stefano will have to fight with the best Junior riders. We’ll have also to count on the BENAVIDES brothers (KTM) whose Kevin, the most known in the paddock, will make his great debut in Seniors (E2) while we will discover his brother Luciano in the FIM Youth Cup 125cc. Finally, Benjamin HERRERA (TM), the Chilean pearl from Talca will be a very serious client in the FIM Youth Cup 125cc, and this season, he brings with him his brother Diego (TM) in the same class. Chica Maxxis As last year, the Chicas Maxxis will attend this first round. One year ago, the main sponsor of the Championship sent four of its most beautiful hostesses. This year, Patricio ESTEFFAN, Maxxis Chilean importer with the Neumared firm, has decided to come with six of the best delegate of the tire brand from Taiwan. And once again, the Chilean importer will organize on Friday night after the KTM Super Test a diner that will gather many riders and officials of the EWC in coordination with the FMC and his new president Jose Tomas DIAZ.

- World Enduro Championship 2012 -

RND 1 - CHILE	RND 2 - ARGENTINA	RND 3 - EUSKADI
RND 4 - WEC VISITS PORTUGAL	RND 5 - KTM DOMINATE ITALY	RND 6 - FRENCH FINALE

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