— World Enduro 2013 – Round Five – Buzau, Romania
E1 Results
1, Antoine Meo, France, KTM, (1 – 1)
2, Juha Salminen, Finland, Husqvarna, (2 – 2)
3, Cristobal Guerrero, Spain, KTM, (3 – 3)
4, Matti Seistola, Finland, Husqvarna, (5 – 4)
5, Nicolas Deparrois, France, Yamaha, (6 – 5)
E1 Standings after Round 10
1, Antoine Meo, 191
2, Juha Salminen, 150
3, Matti Seistola, 141
4, Eero Remes, 125
5, Cristobal Guerrero, 90
E2 Results
1, Alex Salvini, Italy, HM-Honda, (2 – 1)
2, Pierre-Alexandre Renet, France, Husaberg, (3 – 2)
3, Johnny Aubert, France, KTM, (1 – 3)
4, Ivan Cervantes, Spain, KTM, (4 – 4)
5, Lorenzo Santolino, Spain, Husqvarna, (6 – 5)
E2 Standings after Round 10
1, Alex Salvini, 186
2, Ivan Cervantes, 160
3, Pierre-Alexandre Renet, 153
4, Johnny Aubert, 151
5, Victor Guerrero, 99
E3 Results
1, Christophe Nambotin, France, KTM, (1 – 1)
2, Mathias Bellino, France, Husaberg, (2 – 2)
3, Aigar Leok, Estonia, TM, (3 – 3)
4, Joakim Ljunggren, Sweden, Husaberg, (6 – 4)
5, Deny Philippaerts, Italy, Beta, (7 – 5)
E3 Standings after Round 10
1, Christophe Nambotin, 190
2, Aigar Leok, 145
3, Joakim Ljunggren, 139
4, Luis Correia, 123
5, Manuel Monni, 97
EJ Results
1, Matthew Philips, Australia, Husqvarna, (2 – 1)
2, Mario Roman, Spain, Husaberg, (1 – 2)
3, Loic Larrieu, France, Husaberg, (9 – 3)
4, Giacomo Redondi, Italy, KTM, (5 – 4)
5, Danny McCanney, Great Britain, Gas-Gas, (3 – 5)
EJ Standings after Round 10
1, Matthew Philips, 180
2, Giacomo Redondi, 150
3, Daniel McCanney, 128
4, Mario Roman, 128
5, Loic Larrieu, 99
Youth Cup
1, Jamie McCanney, Great Britain, Husaberg, (1 – 1)
2, Albin Elowson, Sweden, Husaberg, (2 – 2)
3, Benjamin Herrera, Chile, TM, (3 – 3)
Youth Cup Standings after Round 10
1, Jamie McCanney, 194
2, Albin Elowson, 144
3, Benjamin Herrera, 132
4, Dawid Ciucci, 103
5, Jesper Borjesson, 94
— Nambotin Wins Day Two in Romania – Matt Phillips wins Junior
It was a time for celebration on day two of the Maxxis Enduro World Championship GP of Romania when Manxman Jamie MCCANNEY (Husaberg) was crowned world champion. Becoming the first enduro world champion of 2013, MCCANNEY clinched the Enduro Youth Cup title in style by claiming his eighth consecutive victory. Elsewhere it proved another successful day for the KTM duo of Antoine MEO and Christophe NAMBOTIN. Winning the Enduro 1 and Enduro 3 classesrespectively, the French pairing edged ever closer to successfully defending their titles. There was change at the top of the Enduro 2 category when Italy’s Alex SALVINI (Honda) claimed the race win, while in the Enduro Junior class the victory went to Australia’s Matt PHILLIPS (Husqvarna). Dominating her category for the second day in Romania, Spain’s Laia SANZ (Honda) won the Women’s Cup class.
Following his victory on day one, France’s Johnny AUBERT (KTM) led the way in the Enduro 2 class on lap one but soon faced a tough fight from both Alex SALVINI and France’s Pela RENET (Husaberg). Determined to make amends for his errors of day one, SALVINI worked his way into the lead on the final lap and held on to take a slender eight-second margin of victory over RENET. “It’s been an incredible day,” confirmed SALVINI. “I had a huge battle with Renet, Aubert and Ivan Cervantes. We were all pushing for the win in every test. I managed to take the lead on the final lap and somehow it was enough to win. It’s been a fantastic race.” Despite setting the fastest time in the final enduro test RENET was unable to keep the hard charging SALVINI at bay and was forced to settle for the runner-up result. Hoping to repeat his winning result from day one, AUBERT suffered a small problem on the second extreme test and lost the lead to SALVINI. Fighting hard to recover the time lost, the Frenchman secured the final step of the podium with third position. Finishing just three seconds behind AUBERT, Spain’s Ivan CERVANTES (KTM) narrowly missed out on a podium result with fourth place. Recording his best result of the season Spain’s Lorenzo SANTOLINO (Husqvarna) completed the top five.
In the Enduro 3 category there was no stopping Christophe NAMBOTIN (KTM) as he took his second race win of the weekend. Topping seven of the day’s 10 special tests the KTM rider enjoyed a 75-second margin of victory. “Aside from a couple of small mistakes in the extreme test it’s been a perfect day for me,” remarked NAMBOTIN. “I felt good on the enduro test and made up most of my time there. I’m pleased with how I’m riding and look forward to the GP of Greece next weekend.” Firmly establishing himself as one of the main contenders in the E3 class, France’s Mathias BELLINO (Husaberg) beat Estonia’s Aigar LEOK (TM) to record his third consecutive runner-up result. Returning to the podium for the second time in Romania, LEOK narrowly beat Sweden’s Joakim LJUNGGREN (Husaberg) to claim third. Improving on his previous day’s result of sixth, LJUNGGREN finished just over three seconds behind LEOK in fourth while Italy’s Deny PHILIPAERTS (Beta) secured an impressive fifth place result.
In the Enduro 1 class, the battle for the victory was fought out between Antoine MEO (KTM) and Finland’s Juha SALMINEN (Husqvarna). Despite winning the first six special tests of the day, MEO was unable to gap his fierce rival and was forced to ride to his maximum in order to secure the win. “It was a great battle for the win with Juha,’ told MEO. “I set some of the fastest times but it was not enough to break away from him. In the end I managed to win by 10 seconds but was pushed all the way.” Matching MEO stride for stride throughout the day, SALMINEN looked capable of taking the win. But despite taking the final special test he was forced to settle for second position. Claiming his second podium visit of the weekend, Spain’s Cristobal GUERRERO (KTM) was third. Riding through the pain of a broken toe, Finland’s Matti SEISTOLA (Husqvarna) ended his day in fourth with France’s Nicolas DEPARROIS (Yamaha) rounding out the top five.
In the Enduro Junior class, Matt PHILLIPS (Husqvarna) returned to the top step of the podium. Fighting hard with Spain’s Mario ROMAN (Husaberg) throughout the day, PHILLIPS bettered the Husaberg rider in the cross tests to take the win. Unable to repeat his win from day one, ROMAN ended day two as the runner-up to PHILLIPS. Claiming his second podium of the season, France’s Loic LARRIEU (Husaberg) placed third. Italy’s Giacomo REDONDI (KTM) and Manxman Danny MCCANNEY (Gas Gas) rounded out the top five.
Securing his first ever enduro world championship Husaberg’s Jamie MCCANNEY clinched the Enduro Youth Cup title with victory on day two. Continually extending his lead throughout the day, the Manxman easily secured his eighth race win and with it the world championship. Sweden’s Albin ELOWSON (Husaberg) ended his day as runner-up to MCCANNEY with Chile’s Benjamin HERRERA (TM) completing the top three. Sweden’s Jesper BORJESSON (Husaberg) and Dawid CIUCCI (KTM) rounded out the top five.
Dominating the Women’s class on day two in Romania, Laia SANZ (Honda) placed over six minutes clear of her nearest rival to win the day. Australia’s Jessica GARDINER (Sherco) finished as runner-up to Sanz with Britain’s Jane DANIELS (Husaberg) third. Australia’s Jemma WILSON (Honda) and France’s Audrey ROSSAT (KTM) completed the top five.
The Maxxis Enduro World Championship continues with the penultimate round of the season in Greece on June 22/23.
— Day One Report
France led the way on day one of the Maxxis Enduro World Championship GP of Romania. French riders claimed the top steps of the podium on the opening day of competition in Buzau with Antoine MEO (KTM), Johnny AUBERT (KTM) and Christophe NAMBOTIN (KTM) all winning their respective classes. In the Enduro Junior category Spain’s Mario ROMAN (Husaberg) put an end to Australian Matt PHILLIPS’ (Husqvarna) winning streak by securing victory while Roman’s compatriot Laia SANZ (Honda) ruled supreme in the Women’s Cup class. Manxman Jamie MCCANNEY (Husaberg) continued his run of wins by topping the Enduro Youth Cup class. With the GP of Romania featuring the first true woodland based enduro test it was actually the tricky extreme test that caused quite an upset. On the opening lap many riders were caught off guard by the steep slippery grassy climbs and the technical rocky uphill. Unfortunately, the day also featured some notable retirements as David KNIGHT (GB-Honda) and Manuel Monni (I-KTM) both succumbed to injury.
In the Enduro 2 category the day belonged to KTM’s Johnny AUBERT. After his injury at the GP of Portugal, the Frenchman finally enjoyed some good fortune. Maintaining a strong advantage throughout the day, the KTM rider secured his first victory of the season. “It’s been a really great day for me,” confirmed AUBERT. “Despite not being able to ride since the GP of Portugal due to my broken ribs I felt very comfortable on the bike. I didn’t make any major mistakes and that helped me to win.” After a strong start to his day by winning the first enduro test and cross test, Italy’s Alex SALVINI (Honda) saw his lead evaporate with numerous crashes on the first enduro test. Losing valuable time, the Italian eventually recovered to end his day as runner-up to AUBERT. Delivering a strong ride in the latter half of the day, France’s Pela RENET (Husaberg) placed within five seconds of SALVINI to claim third position. Spain’s Ivan CERVANTES (KTM) and Oriol MENA (Husaberg) completed the top five.
Continuing his winning ways in the Enduro 3 class, Christophe NAMBOTIN (KTM) claimed a comfortable 29-second margin of victory. Setting the fastest time in seven of the day’s 11 special tests, the Frenchman overcame a crash on the final extreme test and won the day. “I’m pleased with how I rode today,” commented NAMBOTIN. “Despite some small mistakes and then a really big one on the final extreme test I felt good on my bike. This win was important for the championship.” Continuing to impress in his debut season in the Senior ranks, Husaberg’s Mathias BELLINO (F) claimed the runner-up result to NAMBOTIN. Fastest on the extreme test, BELLINO now looks to be over his wrist injury that slowed him during the early part of the season. Still suffering from injuries sustained during the GP of Spain and Portugal, Estonia’s Aigar LEOK (TM) gritted his teeth to end his day on the podium in third position. Placing just 10 seconds behind Leok, France’s Fabien PLANET (Sherco) claimed his best result of the season with fourth position. Portugal’s Luis CORREIA (Beta) rounded out the top five.
Struggling to find his rhythm on the opening lap, KTM’s Antoine MEO picked up his pace during the second half of the day to beat Finland’s Juha SALMINEN (Husqvarna) by seven seconds and take the win. “It’s been a strange day for me,” told MEO. “I couldn’t get going this morning. I didn’t feel comfortable on the bike and was finding it hard to match Juha’s pace. Then as the day progressed things began to feel better and I was able to challenge for the lead. It’s a relief to have won.” Holding the upper hand over his rival during the during the opening lap, SALMINEN was unable to match MEO’S pace during the final stages of the day and was forced to settle for second position. In the battle for the final step of the podium Spain’s Cristobal GUERRERO (KTM) delivered a strong final lap to beat Finland’s Eero REMES (TM) by less than three seconds and claim third pushing REMES back to fourth. Despite suffering a badly injured toe Finland’s Matti SEISTOLA (Husqvarna) gritted his teeth to finish the day in fifth place.
In the Enduro Junior class, Mario ROMAN (Husaberg) dominated his class to secure his debut win by over one-minute. Despite falling victim to the tricky rock sections on the extreme test, Matt PHILLIPS (Husqvarna) regrouped to place as runner-up to ROMAN. Returning to the podium for the first time since South America, Manxman Danny MCCANNEY (Gas Gas) ended his day four seconds behind PHILLIPS to place third. Sweden’s Robert KVARNSTROM (Beta) and Italy’s Giacomo Redondi (KTM) completed the top five.
Setting the quickest time in all but three of the day’s special tests Jamie MCCANNEY (Husaberg) claimed another win in the Enduro Youth class. Sweden’s Albin ELOWSON (Husaberg) and Chilean Benjamin HERRERA (TM) placed second and third respectively. Sweden’s Jesper BORJESSON (Husaberg) and France’s Mika BARNES (KTM) rounded out the top five.
In the Women’s Cup Laia SANZ (Honda) again proved unbeatable and topped her class by over five minutes. Australia’s Jessica GARDINER (Sherco) beat France’s Juliette BERREZ (Yamaha) by over one-minute to place as runner-up to Sanz. With BERREZ in third, Australia’s Jemma WILSON (Honda) and Britain’s Jane DANIELS (Husaberg) rounded out the top five.
— Husqvarna Report
The fifth stop of the 2013 Enduro World Championship, the GP of Romania held in Buzau, ended successfully for Team Husqvarna Monster Energy CH Racing riders with Australian Matt Phillips extending his lead in the Enduro Junior World Championship while Juha Salminen secured two well-deserved runner-up results in the Enduro 1 class.
Moving 28 points clear at the top of the EJ championship standings Phillips made things difficult for himself on day one following mistakes on the event’s extreme test. Handing the advantage to his class rival Mario Roman, Matt was forced to work hard on the motocross test in order to claim back lost time. Battling determinedly throughout the day Matt finished as runner-up following a great final lap.
Day two started in the best possible way for Phillips as he topped four of the opening five special tests in the Enduro Junior class, opening up a significant advantage at the top of the class in the process. Remaining in control throughout the day, despite not winning any further tests he held station at the front of the class and claimed a 22-second winning margin. Matt’s day two win was his sixth of the series so far.
The GP of Romania was also a good event for eight-time Enduro World Champion Juha Salminen. Starting the event determined to put his disappointing outing at the GP of Portugal behind him, Juha did exactly that and was locked in a two-rider battle for the class win on each day. On day one just seven seconds separated Salminen from eventual day winner Antoine Meo with the two riders having traded special test wins throughout the day. On day two Juha was again the only rider able to challenge Meo and again placed as runner-up, just 10 seconds behind the Frenchman.
In the Enduro 2 class Lorenzo Santolino also put the frustration of a less than satisfactory Portuguese GP behind him as he claimed his first top five result of the season. Fighting for a fifth place result throughout the opening day’s competition, Lorenzo eventually placed sixth but less than five seconds away from the coveted top five. Day two was a very different story as the Spaniard’s determination finally came good and he secured a well-deserved fifth place result.
The Enduro World Championship continues with the GP of Greece on June 22-23.
Juha Salminen (Enduro 1 – TE250): “It’s been a pretty good weekend. There were no major problems or mistakes and my times were very competitive. Day one went as good as I expected it to and I finished just seven seconds behind Meo as the runner-up. On day two Meo just had a little extra than me. Not too much but one second here and there soon added up to a 10 second lead that was hard to catch. But overall I’m happy for the weekend. We achieved a decent set of results that were much better than the last race in Portugal.”
Matti Seistola (Enduro 1 – TE 250): “I suffered all weekend. It started off with food poisoning on Friday night and could barely sleep because of it. Despite that I started quite fast on Saturday morning. My first lap was very competitive but shortly afterwards I began to get tired and struggled for energy. And then to make it worse I crashed into a tree on the second enduro test and broke my toe in my right foot while also cutting it wide open. I was in a lot of pain but somehow managed to carry on and finish in fifth position. Day two was damage limitation and I placed fourth. It was the best result for the situation I was in. But I’m happy with my results. I had a lot of difficulties but the team really helped me out and I was able to get some decent points.”
Matt Phillips (Enduro Junior – TE 310): “It’s been great to get another win this weekend. On day one I battled hard with Mario Roman all day. On the cross test I was able to pull an advantage and then if I made a mistake he was able to gain some time back. I think it was probably the toughest fight for the win that I’ve faced all year. He knew he was fast on the enduro and extreme tests so I had to ride really hard to match him. On day one I was lucky to finish second overall. To be honest I didn’t feel like I rode good enough to finish as runner-up but thankfully I was able to take the position right at the very end of the day. I’m happy to have made it onto the podium both days and collected more points towards the championship.”
Lorenzo Santolino (Enduro 2 – TE 310): “This has been a great race for me and I’ve achieved my best results of the season. On day one I finished sixth but was able to go one place better on day two to take fifth. It was a really good race on day one. I fought all day for fifth position but in the end only missed out on it by a couple of seconds. Day two went even better. I didn’t make any mistakes and was finally able to achieve my goal of a top five result. The team has worked so hard with me to improve my position since the GP of Portugal. I feel more confident in my riding and want to thank them for helping me to make this result.”
— KTM Report – KTM’s Meo and Nambotin score double wins in Romania
KTM Enduro factory riders Antoine Meo and Christophe Nambotin, both of France, continued laying the groundwork to hold onto their respective world championship titles this weekend when they both picked up double victories in the competition’s rounds nine and ten.
Meo was again the best E1 rider and Nambotin dominated the E3 class, while Johnny Aubert went 1-3 in E2 and Cristobal Guerrero pulled of two third places in E1.
Nambotin sailed through the weekend winning eight of the tests on both days, again proving he is the best in class again in 2013. He now has a 45-point lead in the championship over second placed Aigar Leok as riders head for Greece for the next two rounds.
Meo admitted that he had a slower start on Saturday and struggled to have a good feeling on the Romanian track but clearly he had won back his confidence by Sunday. His E1 teammate Cristobal Guerrero of Spain also had a solid weekend, scoring two third places and has now moved up to overall fifth.
On Saturday Johnny Aubert also won the very competitive E2 class and he finished in overall third on Sunday with teammate Ivan Cervantes taking two fourth places. Aubert liked the grassy hills and woodlands in Romania and was lucky to steer clear of crashes in the difficult extreme test on Saturday and was relieved to take the victory. “It feels great to have finally won,” told reporters on Saturday. “I’ve been trying hard all year and came close a couple of times, so it’s fantastic to have finally got it done.”
Cervantes was not so lucky and got into trouble in the extreme test on Saturday, finishing right back at fifteenth place and then did well to scramble back to overall fourth at the end of the round.
While Saturday was a stellar day for France’s Aubert, the fact that he is still suffering from the effects of broken ribs did begin to tell on Sunday. Given the fact that he was unable to train on the bike for three weeks, his 1-3 result was very solid, particularly as riders also had to contend with high temperatures at the Romanian venue.
The team now relocates to Kastoria in central Greece for Rounds 11 and 12 next weekend. The season concludes in France with the final two rounds in September