EWC 2010: Polish sand provides surprises
De GP of Poland in terms of course, was a break from what we saw during the three first Mediterranean GPs. No narrow paths between Eucalyptus forests or clambering over rocks, but mainly sandy plains were on the Polish menu. A course that turned out to be particularly popular with Northern European riders. Johnny Aubert made his appearance again in the E1 class and would be at the front as usual. The two home tenors, Taddy Blazusiak en Bartosz Oblucki could not play a significant role.
E1: Meo staggers, but doesn't fall
On Saturday the surprise came in the lightest Enduro class from the far North. On the sandy surface and long cross tests it turned out to be two Finnish ex-cross riders to feel comfortable. KTMs Eero Remes would claim the day's victory for his compatriot Matti Seistola. The Reappearance Johnny Aubert came third and thus remained his great rival Antoine Meo for. Meo mainly owed that place to a time penalty. Between the lines, Meo indicated that he had concentration problems on Saturday. With Aubert out of the title fight, the Husqvarna leader no longer had a direct competitor on which to focus.
Fighting back is the best defense, Antoine Meo must have thought and on Sunday the southerner old-fashioned hard around on the sandy plains. Meo not only made short work of his direct opponents in E1, but also took the scratch victory on Sunday! Behind him, Eero Remes held his ground. Although he was involved in a duel for second place with Seistola for a long time. Aubert eventually finished third despite balance problems.
The big loser of the weekend was undoubtedly the Spaniard Cristobal Guerrero who, after an unauthorized key session, not only lost his points from Saturday but was also denied the start on Sunday. Guerrero therefore falls from the 2e to the 5e place in the World Cup standings.
E2: Ahola increases his lead
In the Queen Class the duel takes place between Mika Ahola en Ivan Cervantes unabated. In Poland, the Finn had a clear advantage on Saturday. With a margin of 12.96 sec, Ahola beat Cervantes for the day's victory. They dueled behind the unapproachable top duo Thomas Oldrati en Pierre-Alexandre Renet for the final podium place. Renet's recent cross history would ultimately be the deciding factor. However, the surprise of the day came from Hans Vogels. As a true North Brabander, the Husaberg rider naturally felt great in the Polish sand. Vogels was allowed with a 6e immediately recorded his best performance of this season. The extensive training in Lommel also paid off Jean-François Goblet the 10e became.
On Sunday morning the roles seemed reversed. Cervantes was now resolutely in the lead, closely followed by Ahola. The HM Honda rider tried to put pressure on the Spaniard but only succeeded at the end of the afternoon. It was therefore with a minimum difference of 0.80 seconds that Ahola took the lead. The experienced Finn managed to increase his lead in the World Cup standings to 6 points with 14 additional points. Third place this time went to Oldrati, who managed to hold off fellow brand Renet.
Vogels did even better on Sunday than on Saturday and would have finished 5e finish. Goblet was now 11e but does enter the top 10 of the World Cup standings, where he is now a 9e takes place. Jeff was helped by the mechanical breakdown Fabien Planet.
E3: Knight firmly in the saddle as leader
Drama on Saturday afternoon when Christophe Nambotin's chain breaks on the cross test and further riding becomes impossible. So there's a clear path ahead David Knight although he does not simply receive the victory as a gift Simone Albergoni. Marcus Kehr surprisingly comes third.
A furious Christophe Nambotin leads E3 for the entire second day. David Knight, who has a large lead thanks to Nambotin's retirement, can afford to drive in a controlled manner. Perhaps a bit too much because the Manxman will ultimately have to leave second place to teammate Albergoni.
The EWC will remain in Eastern Europe for a while because the Slovak GP is on the program next weekend.
Photo Credits: Enduro ABC, KTM Images/Jonty Edmunds
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