Tuesday, April 5 2011
Already hugely affected by the bad luck and loss (for several months ?) of David KNIGHT (GB – KTM), the KTM Factory Racing Team, managed by Fabio FARIOLI continued to accumulate problems during the second day of racing at the Spanish Grand Prix AMV SEGUROS held at PONTS, near LLEIDA.
Forced to abandon yesterday, due to an electrical wiring problem, the double E2 World Champion Johnny AUBERT (FR – KTM) was faced with exactly the same problem today. “Just like yesterday, my bike stopped suddenly at the end of the first lap and this same misfortune happened several minutes later to my team mate, Cristobal GUERRERO (ES – KTM). It is clear that now my task is going to be very difficult for the rest of the season being already 50 points behind Antoine MEO in the championship!” In fact, Cristobal GUERRERO (ES – KTM) was met with the same problem as Johnny AUBERT, and therefore a feeling of defeat, which up until now had never been experienced, was heavily felt in the Austrian group. And as if the “punishment” wasn’t harsh enough, KTM Racing also lost Taddy BLAZUSIAK (PL – KTM), who injured his thumb and will not b e racing next weekend. In the memories of those that observed, it has been a long time since a major team competing in this Championship has been faced with such setbacks. But we should rest assured that KTM Racing will do all it can to change their bad luck in the next few days, in order to change this trend starting with the POLISPORT Grand Prix being held in Portugal next weekend.
Electrical atmosphere at KTM….
This Grand Prix has been the one of doubles in all categories, with the best success shown by Juha SALMINEN (FIN – HVA) in Enduro 1 and another for the constructors category for HUSQVARNA since Matti SEISTOLA (FIN – HVA) finishes second in front of the excellent Fabien PLANET (FR – SHERCO). He in turn offers a fantastic first podium result in World Championship for the French firm SHERCO, managed by Marc TEYSSIER. Rodrig THAIN (FR – HM HONDA) is a few seconds in front of PLANET whereas the KTM representatives Tomas OLDRATI (IT – KTM) and Eero REMES (FIN – KTM) who fell several times, were only 5th and 6th consecutively…
HUSQVARNA and Antoine MEO (FR – HVA) also achieve well in Enduro 2, despite an excellent Ivan CERVANTES (ES – GAS) who affirms is rapid his adaption of the 250 GAS GAS 2 stroke. “This result is atmosphere and almost unexpected for me. The whole team at GAS GAS works hard and the ambience is excellent in the team.” regaled the one who they call “El toro rosso”!
Pierre ALexandre RENET (FR – HUSABERG) manages a good second day and climbs to the E2 podium where we also see the well-placed dutchman Hans VOGELS (NL – HUSABERG) and the private Belgian rider Francois GOBLET (YAMAHA).
Mika AHOLA (FIN – HM HONDA) was once again imperial throughout the day in the Enduro 3 and and only Christophe NAMBOTIN (FR – GAS) was able to keep up somewhat with the one that many consider to be the best ENDURO rider currently. A return to the first plan (third) for the great Finnish rider Marko TARKKALA (FIN – HUSABERG) who achieves podium results in the first two specials ahead of Sébastien GUILLAUME (FR – HVA), on the brand new 300 HUSABERG 2stroke.
The Finnish at the Top…
Based in Spain for a large part of the winter months, the Finnish riders have proven that this method is well-founded throughout the weekend since the very promising Anti HELLSTEN (FIN – KTM) achieves as his elders SALMINEN and AHOLA an impeccable double in the ENDURO JUNIORS. Benoit FORTUNATO (FR – YAM) and Jeremy JOLY (FR – HM HONDA) also score some big points and Jonathan MANZI (IT – KTM) takes the helm of the FIM YOUTH CUP 125cc 2-stroke….. bringing, together with HELLSTEIN, some hope to the dejected KTM clan.
Like yesterday, Ludiviny PUY (FR – GAS) wins the women’s category but Laia SANZ (ES – HONDA) makes some progress everytime she comes out and Blandine DUFRENE (FR – GAS) appears to be positioning herself as the outsider of the ENDURO WOMEN.
After a well-deserved night of rest, all the participants of the MAXXIS FIM ENDURO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP will head as of Monday in the direction of Portugal and the Vale de Cambra where an already important Grand Prix for some will take place for the stars of the World Enduro Championship…. and we readily recommend that you turn to EUROSPORT 2 this Thursday at 9pm, to see the best moments of the GP AMV SEGUROS Spain, that will remain in the annals of Enduro history and that was followed by nearly 20 000 enthusiasts.
