With his day two Enduro 2 class victory at last week’s GP of Catalunya still very much fresh in his mind, Bel-Ray Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Pela Renet was determined to deliver yet another winning result at round two of the EWC series in Portugal. Favouring the tough and rugged terrain, Renet again fought for his place at the top of the standings with close rival Antoine Meo.
On day one, Renet narrowly missed out on the victory to Meo but with a strong start to day two he looked on course for the win. Controlling the race lead throughout the morning, the Husqvarna rider steadily increased his advantage. Frustratingly mistakes on the penultimate special test reduced his advantage. With everything to play for on the final test, Renet – despite his best efforts – saw his chance of victory slip from his grasp. Nevertheless he still claimed a highly impressive E2 runner-up result.
In the highly competitive Enduro 3 category, Mathias Bellino produced another solid performance. Unlucky not to win day one, the Frenchman lost 35 seconds on the extreme test when a stricken rider blocked his path on a steep hill climb. Fighting his way to third, he hoped to make amends for his misfortune on day two. Again proving fast on both the extreme and cross tests, it was the technical enduro test that cost him time. Unable to match the pace of the leaders, Bellino reluctantly ended his day fifth overall.
Still in pain from a knee injury sustained at the GP of Catalunya, Joakim Ljunggren had a disappointing outing in Portugal. Finishing 13th on day one, despite being unable to put his foot on the ground, the Swede was forced to stop on day two.
For Enduro Junior class riders Loic Larrieu and Jamie McCanney their efforts were rewarded with a podium result each. On day one, McCanney enjoyed his first top three result by finishing in third. But with his recently broken wrist still causing problems on day two he placed fourth.
Still in pain from his Super Test crash at last weekend’s race, Larrieu delivered another heroic performance – despite his injuries. Fourth on day one, the Frenchman claimed a well-deserved third on day two.
In the 125 Youth Cup class, Swede Albin Elowson’s GP of Portugal was one of mixed results. Ninth on day one, he improved to place second on day two.
The GP of Portugal ended abruptly for Enduro 1 class rider Thomas Oldrati when he was forced to retire due to a shoulder injury on the opening lap of day one.
The FIM Enduro World Championship continues with the GP of Greece on May 10/11.
Pela Renet: “Despite getting two second place results here in Portugal I’m disappointed with myself for losing out on winning day two. With two tests to go I had a 12-second lead but mistakes on the cross test cost me some time and then Antoine set a really good time on the last extreme test to beat me. I can only blame myself – I shouldn’t have let it happen. I really want to win and will try to make up for my errors in Greece.”
Mathias Bellino: “Day one was up and down for me. I led early on but unfortunately got stuck behind a fallen rider on the extreme test and lost 35 seconds. That cost me the victory but thankfully I recovered to finish third. Day two was strange. My speed was good on both the cross test and extreme test but not on the enduro test. I was loosing too much time there. The best I could do was fifth.”
Loic Larrieu: “I’m still hurting from my crash during last weekend’s race in Catalunya so this weekend was a damage limitation exercise. Fourth on day one but third on day two is good points for the championship. I’ll take some time now to recover from my injuries and prepare for the next race in Greece.”
Jamie McCanney: “Finishing on the podium on day one in third was brilliant. I only started to ride again two weeks ago following my broken wrist so it’s good to know that my speed is returning. Day two was hard – conditions were tough – and I just didn’t have enough energy to fight for a top three result.”
Results – FIM Enduro World Championship GP of Portugal, Round 2
Enduro 1
Day 1: 1. Nambotin; 2. Remes; 3. Guerrero; 4. Boissiere; 5. Tarroux; 6. Betriu (Husqvarna)…
Day 2: 1. Nambotin; 2. Remes; 3. Guerrero; 4. Boissiere; 5. Tarroux; 6. Betriu…
Enduro 2
Day 1: 1. Meo; 2. Renet (Husqvarna); 3. Salvini; 4. Aubert; 5. Mena… other Husqvarna riders: 7. Lewis; 8. Barragan; 12. Monni
Day 2: 1. Meo; 2. Renet (Husqvarna); 3. Salvini; 4. Aubert; 5. Barragan (Husqvarna)… other Husqvarna riders: 8. Lewis; 9. Monni
Enduro 3
Day 1: 1. Cervantes; 2. Phillips; 3. Bellino (Husqvarna); 4. Seistola; 5. Leok… other Husqvarna riders: 11. Roman; 13. Ljunggren; 14. Edlund
Day 2: 1. Cervantes; 2. Seistola; 3. Phillips; 4. Correia; 5. Bellino (Husqvarna)… other Husqvarna riders: 12. Edlund…
Enduro Junior
Day 1: 1. McCanney; 2. Redondi; 3. McCanney (Husqvarna); 4. Larrieu (Husqvarna); 5. Mori… other Husqvarna riders: 15. Johnson
Day 2: 1. McCanney; 2. Redondi; 3. Larrieu (Husqvarna); 4. McCanney (Husqvarna); 5. Mori
125 Youth Cup
Day 1: 1. Pellegrinelli; 2. Miroir; 3. Herrera; 4. Persson; 5. Borjesson (Husqvarna) … other Husqvarna riders: 9. Elowson
Day 2: 1. Persson; 2. Elowson (Husqvarna); 3. Soreca; 4. Herrera; 5. Bresolin… other Husqvarna riders: 10. Garcia; 12. Borjesson…
Championship Standings (After Rnd2)
Enduro 1: 1. Nambotin 80pts; 2. Remes 60; 3. Guerrero 60… 6. Betriu (Husqvarna) 42… 12. Oldrati (Husqvarna) 19…
Enduro 2: 1. Meo 77pts; 2. Renet (Husqvarna) 69; 3. Aubert 58… 7. Barragan (Husqvarna) 37; 8. Lewis (Husqvarna) 28; 9. Monni (Husqvarna) 25…
Enduro 3: 1. Cervantes 80pts; 2. Phillips 64; 3. Seistola 57; 4. Bellino (Husqvarna) 51… 11. Roman (Husqvarna) 16: 14. Ljunggren (Husqvarna) 9; 15. Edlund(Husqvarna) 6…
Enduro Junior: 1. McCanney 80pts; 2. Redondi 65; 3. Larrieu (Husqvarna) 60; 4. McCanney (Husqvarna) 46…
125 Youth Cup: 1. Sorcea 65pts; 2. Miroir 52; 3. Marchelli 51… 5. Elowson (Husqvarna) 41: 7. Borjesson (Husqvarna) 39…