EWC Spain: Disastrous start for KTM
The first round of the Enduro World Championship in Ponts, Catalan, immediately provided surprising twists. Early on Saturday, reigning E3 world champion David Knight had to retire. The Manxman suffered a pelvic injury after twisting his leg in a rut. Overwhelmed by pain, Knight had to leave. We can already assume that this injury will cost him the world title. Another trend is that the hegemony of the KTMs has been temporarily broken by Husqvarna. The white-red brigade was in the spotlight this weekend.
E1: The Huskies rule
This weekend we saw the resurrection of Juha Salminen in E1. The seven-time Enduro World Champion immediately underlined his title ambitions with a class victory on both days. After more than a year and a half of injuries, the Husqvarna pilot is back again. By the way, Husqvarna dictated the law in Catalonia because on both days Matti Seistola finished 2e. The third Finn, Eero Remes, from whom much was expected in advance, could hardly make a fist against the Husqvarna duo. If Remes finished third on Saturday, the KTM rider had to put up with Fabien Planet on Sunday. Planet wrote enduro history by delivering Sherco's very first podium place in the World Championship. Amel Advokaat was the only rider from the Benelux in the E1 class. The South Hollander took a 14 twicee place.
E2: Meo rules
Johnny Aubert had his sights set on the world title in the Queen Class E2 this season. Already during the first EWC weekend, his title aspirations suffered a serious blow. Aubert's KTM EXC-F 350 (would inexplicably suddenly refuse all service on both days. Teammate Cristobal Guerrero also suffered from technical problems on Sunday. At the front, Antoine Meo had already adapted more than adequately to his Husqvarna TE 310ie. The Frenchman won the argument on both days for Ivan Cervantes. Cervantes nevertheless proved that with a 250cc two-stroke you can still be competitive against bigger four-strokes. After a mediocre Saturday in which Hans Vogels dropped out and Jean-François Goblet was only 13e the chances of both Lowlanders turned on Sunday. Vogels achieved an impressive fifth place, just beating his Walloon colleague.
E3: Ahola impresses
Reigning E2 World Champion Mika Ahola is targeting the toughest class this year. Ahola did not miss his start in Spain and managed both days. Behind him, Christophe Nambotin and Sébastien Guillaume fought for the honor of best two-stroke rider. Nambotin would become runner-up twice. On Sunday, Marko Tarkkala disrupted the French party when he kept Guillaume off the stage. In addition to Knight's injury, his teammate Taddy Blazusiak also suffered a blow when he injured his thumb on Sunday. It already seems that the Pole will have to sit out the GP of Portugal.
The victory in the Juniors went to the Finn Antti Hellsten. The French ex-cross rider impressed in his EWC debut by immediately standing on the podium on Saturday.
In the Women's category the victory went to Ludivine Puy. The Frenchwoman was faster than Laia Sanz and her compatriot Blandine Dufrene on both days.
You can find the full results of the first EWC round here.
Photo Credits: Husqvarna, KTM Images/Jonty Edmunds
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