Just over one week after an operation to have his Appendix removed, Gomez put his Husqvarna FE 350 on the third step of the podium to the delight of his home support. Ensuring the penultimate round of the series was one to remember for Husqvarna Motorcycles, Joakim Ljunggren placed fifth overall while in the Junior class Jamie McCanney ended his night third overall.
Despite being in some discomfort, Gomez produced a determined performance inside the Palau Sant Jordi stadium. Third fastest in the Super Pole qualifying session, the Spaniard led early in Final #1 until he slipped back to third. Regaining composure, the Husqvarna rider fought his way back into second – a position he held until the chequered flag.
Struggling to make progress in the reversed start for Final #2, Gomez could fair no better than seventh. Knowing that a chance of a podium result was still on the cards, the Spaniard ended Final #3 in third place to claim his second top three result of the series.
Switching to the TE 300 two-stroke for Barcelona, Ljunggren enjoyed one of his strongest performances of the season. Comfortably placing inside the top five in each of the night’s Finals, the Swede ended his event in a solid fifth overall. Hoping to build on his winning result from the GP of Mexico, France’s Mathias Bellino was unable to recreate his impressive form. Carding a 7-8-6 result the SuperEnduro rookie finished in sixth position overall.
In the Junior category, McCanney was a model of consistency. Recording two third place results, the Manx youngster earn a well-deserved third overall.
The FIM SuperEnduro World Championship concludes with the sixth and final round of the series in Tours, France on February 22.
Alfredo Gomez (Prestige – 3rd): “I came here not knowing if I would be able to race so to come away with a podium result is amazing for me. My objective was to take it one race at a time and see how I progressed. Starts were the key and I got a great one in Final #1. I led for a bit but slipped back to third. Somehow I found a better rhythm and got back up to second. That set the tone for the rest of the night. Overall it’s an incredible feeling to finish third – I’m so happy.”
Jamie McCanney (Junior – 3rd): “I’ve been struggling a bit with a winter cold before I came here so to come away with a top three result is rewarding. Throughout the night I rode well – I found a better line in the rocks and was very fast there, but for some reason I just wasn’t able to make it count and finish second. I’ll take third though – I’m pleased with that.”
Joakim Ljunggren (Prestige – 5th): “I think that was the best I have ridden all season. Switching to the TE 300 for this race made a massive difference. I’m a tall guy and the bike suits me better. I had three consistent rides and was in the hunt all the time.”
Mathias Bellino (Prestige – 6th): “I have tendonitis in my wrist and it hurts when I ride. During the night I tried to ride as smooth and fast as possible but the track was so slippery in places that it wasn’t possible. It’s unfortunate because I felt like I could build on my result from Mexico. But with one more round left in France I hope to end the season on a high there.”
FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, Rnd5
Prestige
Overall Event Classification
1. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 62pts; 2. Jonny Walker (KTM) 48pts; 3. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 42pts; 4. David Knight (Sherco) 41pts; 5. Joakim Ljunggren (Husqvarna) 37pts; 6. Mathias Bellino (Husqvarna) 27pt… 9. Kornel Nemeth (Husqvarna) 19pts… 12. Xavi Leon (Husqvarna) 13pts… 15. Jaume Betriu (Husqvarna) 9pts…
Final #1
1. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 7 laps, 7:09.598; 2. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 7:10.869; 3. David Knight (Sherco) 7 laps, 7:12.667; 4. Joakim Ljunggren (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 7:17.819; 5. Jonny Walker (KTM) 7 laps, 7:26.278… 7. Mathias Bellino (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 7:42.834… 12. Xavi Leon (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 8:15.551… 14. Kornel Nemeth (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 8:50.877; 15. Jaume Betriu (Husqvarna) 6 laps, 7:31.202
Final #2
1. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 7 laps, 7:02.049; 2. Jonny Walker (KTM) 7 laps, 7:16.767; 3. David Knight (Sherco) 7 laps, 7:18.534; 4. Kornel Nemeth (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 7:21.726; 5. Joakim Ljunggren (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 7:29.137… 7. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 7:32.944; 8. Mathias Bellino (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 7:37.023; 9. Xavi Leon (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 7:39.545… Juame Betriu (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 8:01.573…
Final #3
1. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 7 laps, 6:58.077; 2. Jonny Walker (KTM) 7 laps, 7:09.991; 3. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 7:13.787; 4. Joakim Ljunggren (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 7:17.187; 5. David Knight (Sherco) 7 laps, 7:22.325; 6. Mathias Bellino (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 7:37.137… 12. Kornel Nemeth (Husqvarna) 6 laps, 7:31.408; 13. Jaume Betriu (Husqvarna) 6 laps, 7:37.548; 14. Xavi Leon (Husqvarna) 6 laps, 7:39.554
Junior
Event Classification
1. Andreas Linusson (KTM) 40pts; 2. Giacomo Redondi (Beta) 30pts; 3. Jamie McCanney (Husqvarna) 30pts; 4. Magnus Thor (KTM) 26pts; 5. Jesper Borjesson (Husqvarna) 22pts… 9. Rob Johnson (Husqvarna) 13pts; 10. Tim Apolle (Husqvarna) 13pts…
Final #1
1. Andreas Linusson (KTM) 7 laps, 7:30.572; 2. Giacomo Redondi (Beta) 7 laps, 7:37.940; 3. Jamie McCanney (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 7:38.764; 4. Eloi Salsench (KTM) 7 laps, 7:50.409; 5. Jesper Borjesson (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 8:11.901… 9. Tim Apolle (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 8:38.792; 10. Rob Johnson (Husqvarna) 6 laps, 7:47.501…
Final #2
1. Andreas Linusson (KTM) 7 laps, 7:39.901; 2. Magnus Thor (KTM) 7 laps, 7:54.970; 3. Jamie McCanney (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 7:57.286; 4. Giacomo Redondi (Beta) 7 laps, 8:11.387; 5. Jesper Borjesson (Husqvarna) 7 laps, 8:21.968… 9. Rob Johnson (Husqvarna) 6 laps, 7:41.382; 10. Tim Apolle (Husqvarna) 6 laps, 7:53.823…