European Enduro Championship: Erik Willems strengthens lead!
Although leader Erik Willems was not completely fit, he can still look back on an excellent Finnish European Championship weekend. He reached the final podium in Sipoo on both days. Three-time world champion Eero Remes (37) was the reference in his own country. The Finnish Husqvarna rider always took the scratch. Dietger Damiaens remains third in the standings.
For many riders, the Finnish round, the third in a championship of four, was considered a distant and expensive trip. Moreover, Sipoo had some tough surprises in store, such as a difficult extreme test. It is therefore no coincidence that the Finns performed strongly on their own soil.
Husqvarna Belgium rider had been ill in the run-up to the race, but did what was necessary in Scandinavia. Both days the sympathetic Brussels native finished third in the scratch, while title rival Mundell was unlucky. The British Beta rider had broken his wheel, resulting in a zero score - no replacement allowed in enduro. This means that Willems can start the final round in Germany in October with a comfortable lead of 21 points. Erik is also in the lead in the E2 class.
The first day was too changeable for Dietger Damiaens. Everything went smoothly in the cross and enduro tests, but the same could not be said for the difficult extreme. The next day, however, the former World Cup Open champion took sporting revenge. Dietger finished third in the E3 and took P6 in the final standings. It also looks good for Damiaens to reach the final podium in the “scratch” of the European Championship, and he also leads in the E3.
“Scratch” EC Enduri Sipoo day 1
1. Eero Remes, 2. Eemil Pohjola, 3. Erik Willems, 4. Peetu Juupaluoma, 5. Antti Hänninen, 6. Hugo Svärd, 7. David Abgrall, 8. Carlo Minot, 9. Nicola Recchia, 10. Clement Clauzier... 16. Dietger Damiaens
“Scratch” EC Enduri Sipoo day 2
1. Eero Remes, 2. Dan Mundell, 3. Erik Willems, 4. Eemil Pohjola, 5. Antti Hänninen, 6. Dietger Damiaens, 7. Carlo Minot, 8. Clement Clauzier, 9. Peetu Juupaluoma, 10 Nicola Recchia
Standings European Enduro “scratch” after 3 rounds
1. Erik Willems (BEL – Husqvarna) 100 pts
2. Dan Mundell (GBR – Beta) 79 pts
3. Dietger Damiaens (BEL – KTM) 67 pts
4. Carlo Minot (ITA – TM) 54 pts
5. David Abgrall (FRA – Sherco) 52 pts
6. Nicolas Recchia (ITA – Honda) 45 pts
7. Maurizio Micheluz (FIN – Husqvarna) 44 pts
8. Eero Remes (FIN – Husqvarna) 40 pts
9. Eemil Pohjola (FIN – Honda) 30 pts
10. Enrico Rinaldi (ITA – GasGas) 30 pts
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: Dina Damia's
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