Erik Willems is European enduro champion!
After his French Junior enduro title in 2020, Erik Willems (24) has won the biggest award of his career. Today in Rudersdorf, Germany, the Husqvarna Belgium rider only had to finish 11th to claim the European enduro title in the scratch!
It has long been clear that the ex-EMX300 topper has succeeded in its 'reconversion' to enduro. Willems went to Rudersdorf near Berlin with a 21-point lead over the British Dan Mundell. Unfortunately, today was not a “walk in the park” for Erik. Italian Junior Enrico Rinaldi (GasGas) was the strongest on day one ahead of ex-MX2 rider Jeremy Sydow (Sherco) and young Frenchman Clement Clauzier (Bonneton Fantic)
In the second Xtreme round, the sympathetic Walloon Brabander fell hard due to a hidden sawn-off tree stump. Willems was quite groggy and shaken up but still persevered. Because title rival Dan Mundell gave up in the last test, the way was completely clear for the Belgian.
Damiaens E3 champion?
Dietger Damiaens came to Germany third. Thanks to a very solid opening day in which he finished seventh, he retains the prospect of the title of European vice-champion! The DAM Racing pilot steered his KTM to second place in the E3 today, but is on course for the title in the E3 final standings. In the “scratch” Dietger even has a chance to win the title of European vice-champion after Willems.
Veteran Hans Vogels (KTM) finished 21st, Hans Vogels 27th. Tomorrow we will also know whether Erik Willems can win in the E2 title battle!
“Scratch” EC Endur0 Rudersforf day 1
1. Enrico Rinalidi, 2. Jeremy Sydow, 3. Clement Clauzier, 4. Carlo Minot, 5. Luca Fischeder, 6. Leo Joyon, 7. Dietger Damiaens, 8. Killian Lunier, 9. Giuliano Mancuso, 10. Nicola Recchia, 11. Erik Willems, 12. Dan Mundell, 13. Valentino Corsi, 14. Andrea Gheza, 15. Maxime Clauzier, 16. Lorenzo Bernini, 17. Daniel Delbono, 18. Tristan Hanak, 19. Lucas Bergström, 20. Edward Hübner, 21. Hans Vogels… 27. Wesley Pittens
Standings EC Enduro “scratch” after day 1 Rudersdorf
(tomorrow the last day of the championship will be completed)
1. Erik Willems (BEL – Husqvarna) 105 pts
2. Dan Mundell (GBR – Beta) 79 pts
3. Dietger Damiaens (BEL – KTM) 78 pts
4. Carlo Minot (ITA – TM) 67 pts
5. David Abgrall (FRA – Sherco) 56 pts
6. Nicolas Recchia (ITA – Honda) 51 pts
7. Enrico Rinaldi (ITA – GasGas) 50 pts
8. Maurizio Micheluz (FIN – Husqvarna) 44 pts
9. Eero Remes (FIN – Husqvarna) 40 pts
10. Eemil Pohjola (FIN – Honda) 30 pts
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: Mathias Van Hoof, Maxim / European Enduro Championship (archive)
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