Efinally! After months of rest, the 2011 enduro season started again yesterday with the traditional opener in Warnant, not far from the valley of Molignee and the abbey of Maredsous. On top of the usual top riders that were also present last year, Warnant also had a bonus in store with organizer Thierry Klutz who made his comeback with a GasGas 300 two-stroke.
Warnant is of course spiced up by two very different specialties, but the experience of the organizing club and the smooth cooperation with the very extensive delegation of BMB officials also offers favorable perspectives for the rest of the season. Last but not least, Warnant also received the scoop of a new time recording system with transponders. All in all, certainly a successful introduction and the system will be further refined for the next competition.
After intensive winter preparation, all eyes in Warnant were focused on Jeff Goblet (Yamaha Belgium) and the eldest of the Goblet brothers was not at all disappointed. Goblet will once again be the man to beat, although the competition led by Cedric Cremer and Kevin Gauniaux will certainly step up their game. Cremer, the official KTM Belgium rider, is still getting stronger and has certainly not yet reached his ceiling. Despite a crash in the special, Cremer kept up the pressure on his competitors.
Strong debut Bob Van Looveren
Kevin Gauniaux was unsure for a long time due to an injury to his left index finger, but after he got the green light, he decided to drive anyway. After he started cautiously, things started to get better for the GasGas pilot. In the last special, Gauniaux even achieved the fastest time. Thierry Klutz, who had not been on the bike since Le Touquet, surprised friend and foe with several third places in the specials after Goblet and Cremer. While Mickael Vukcevic (Sherco) was clearly still lacking rhythm, Wim Vanderheyden had a very regular first match. Wim was rewarded with a fifth place. Bob Van Looveren, who was promising last season, made his debut as an international player and performed well. Bob even finished sixth in the E2, 11th in the scratch!
Click here for the full results.
