WEC 2010: Aubert to E1
After two consecutive world titles in the E2 class, Johnny Aubert (KTM Farioli) will no longer defend his world title. The Frenchman will compete in the E1 class of the WEC (World Enduro Championship) this season. The “Nordiste” will encounter another French ex-cross rider in his path in both the WEC and the French championship: Antoine Meo.
Aubert realizes that he has a difficult task ahead of him. “This means a completely new challenge for me, but also a new motivation. But I am still just as determined and realize that this could well be a World Cup of a very high level,” Aubert said on his website.
The rumor that Aubert would leave E2 for E1 has been circulating for some time. It was mainly team manager Fabio Farioli who wanted to see the Frenchman compete in the lightest class of the WEC. KTM won the world titles in E2009 and E1 in 3 (with Ivan Cervantes), but in the commercially important E1 class the Austrians encountered Mika Ahola in both 2008 and 2009. KTM hopes to significantly increase its title chances by outplaying Aubert in E1.
Aubert's decision to ultimately choose E1 was delayed by a thumb injury, which also kept him out of the ISDE. Aubert, who originally preferred the E2 class over the E1, agreed to make the switch after extensive testing on the KTM EXC-F 250 and the necessary guarantees regarding his contract.
Photo Credit: KTM Images/Jonty Edmunds
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