Preview Enduropale Le Touquet 2018
Motorsport monuments and France, it is a combination that sometimes occurs. This in various branches of motorsport. For example, the French have the 'Le Mans 24 hours' for cars, as well as the 'Bol d'Or', the 24 hours competition for motorcycles. And then you have the mythical beach cross of Le Touquet, which will again attract a crowd of tourists this weekend.
Rain or shine, the audience will be present in large numbers, as always, but who will be able to see the audience at work? Which famous names will this time descend on the beach where many motocross riders found their glory and earned their eternal fame on the pages of the newspaper L'Equipe.
The Belgian contenders
Among the 1200 pilots we find a very strong Belgian delegation with championship leader Axel van de Sande and former Le Touquet winner Daymond Martens as the main beach cross specialists. Still on the list of participants from Belgium, with a chance of a podium; Jeffrey Dewulf contesting the full championship for Valentin Teillet's team.
In addition to them, the name of Yentel Martens is also on the starting list, he already contested several heats this year, but threw in the towel after a frustrating and questionable disqualification. Steve Ramon, who will ride Le Touquet on a Yamaha, rode two rounds of the championship and then disappeared from the radar. So it's still a matter of keeping an eye on him and his click with the new engine. The other former grand prix pilot, Ken de Dycker, is also a moot point. To what extent has the Brabander prepared for this race and has his KTM been adapted for the very fast stretches along the coastline of Touquet?
This year seems to be a poor year for the Dutch in the main league of Le Touquet. No Marc De Reuver fighting for victory or guys like Rene Albers, Roel van Oort, Roy Van Heugten, Michael Van Wezel or Michael van Hool. Who showed more than once in European Motocross rounds that they could cut through the sand and find their second calling in beach cross. They could then succeed Kees van de Ven, the last Dutch winner in 1986.
One Brit and so many French favorites for victory
The competition for the Belgians mainly comes from the French. However, there is one competitor who does not come from that corner and that is Nathan Watson. Strangely enough, the British Factory Enduro KTM pilot is only twelfth in the championship. This was due to two zero results, but the man also won two heats! Two wins out of five games, as far as we're concerned, we don't think that's a bad thing!
From France, the French MotoBlouz SR Honda team brings their strongest pilots to the start of the Endurope race. They will not only bring specialist Richard Fura to the start, but also former Grand Prix pilot Xavier Boog and EMX250 revelation Mathys Boisramé! These three will have to uphold Honda's honor.
Another contender for victory is Camille Chapeliere, the second in the standings will do everything he can to make it as difficult as possible for Axel van de Sande in the battle for the title. Sebastien Dulot and Jeremy Hauquier also contribute a few words about this title.
A well-known name in the beachcross environment and now also in the MXGP world, Milko Potisek. The Yamaha pilot will try to follow his unfortunately deceased cousin Timotei and win the beach cross. He already showed himself to be in good form by taking the victory in Hossegor and in Grayan et l'Hopital he was in the lead when his motorcycle decided to stop. The man from French Flanders is therefore keen to achieve a strong performance in his own region and thus start 2018 well.
Soon ⚔️⚔️⚔️ 📸 @tonybttphotography
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Other interesting names at the start include Nico Aubin on his Suzuki, Oliver Pain who has just returned from the Dakar Rally, Stéphane Watel, Yamaha Enduro Factory pilot Jamie McCanney, old age dean Yves Deudon, Arnaud Degoussé, Victor Brossier and many others! What makes Le Touquet so much fun, everyone can win! As long as you blast through the sand and the pursuers quickly.
Text: Matthias Van Eeckhoven
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