One week after the final of the Maxxis FIM Enduro World Championship, back on the evening of the official prize giving ceremony that took place in the beautiful Halle aux Bleds in St Flour in front of 400 guests.
In addition to the six titles of World Champion, the HVA Xtreme Test Award and Mika Ahola “Brave One” Trophy, ABC Communication and the FIM held to give other awards during a gala buffet.
Trophy for the best private team
Several teams like Iron Racing, EC2M Racing, CMBelometti Racing or Johansson MPE (nominated for a second consecutive year) were competing to win the title. But finally, it is the Greek team Ina TV Racing that won it. Composed by Nicolas DEPARROIS (F – 7th in E1), Juliette BERREZ (F – 4th in Women), Nicolo BRUSCHI (I – Top 15 Youth Cup), Toni JARDINE (ZAF – Top 10 Women) and joined during the season by Luis OLIVEIRA (P – 7th in Junior), the team mounted with passion by Yannis KOLIGLIATIS showed great professionalism throughout the season. A reward that encourages more the Greek team and its manager to invest and make his hole in the EWC despite the financial problems this country knows.
Most Improved Rider of the Year
New this season, the trophy of the most improved rider of the year that was very coveted. Indeed, Luis CORREIA (P – Beta) or Jeremy JOLY (F – Honda) were nominated in this category. But it is finally the Italian Deny PHILIPPAERTS (Beta) who won this award. Last year, the Beta Boano rider had difficulties claiming a Top 15 in the Enduro 2 class but after a studious offseason, PHILIPPAERTS made enormous improvement and ends at the gates of the E3Top 5 (6th). At the edge of the 2014 season, the Italian could become a safe bet of the EWC…
Trophy of the best organization
This honorary title was awarded this season to the Moto Club du Haut Cantal, organizer of the Grand Prix AMV of France. With 100% natural and highly technical special tests, creating a smartphone app as well as media coverage never seen before in the world of the EWC, the Moto Club chaired by Stéphane FAGHEON was able to make of this last round of the EWC a popular festival and attracted 30,000 spectators in the small town of St Flour in the heart of the Cantal. A tribute to the club that has had to deal with difficult weather conditions, but that has constantly found the parade, well supported by the municipality of St Flour.
Rookie of the Year
Johnny AUBERT (F), Rodrig THAIN (F), Pierre-Alexandre RENET (F), Alex SALVINI (I) and lately Manuel MONNI (I)… So many big names in the current Enduro who received this award in the past . This season, the former Crossman Anthony BOISSIERE (F – Sherco) was elected Rookie of the Year with an 8th place in E1 and especially a good second place on the second day in Torres Vedras (Portugal). Remember this name; you will have to take seriously “Toto” next year.
ABC Communication Award of the Best Private Rider
This season, Jeremy JOLY (F – Honda) had to give up his title of best private rider to another French! Indeed, choosing to start his own company for the past four seasons, Benoit FORTUNATO (F – HM Honda) won the ABC Communication trophy. The season was not yet perfect for FORTU who had to contend with numerous mechanical problems. But a nice 5th place in France allowed him to show the full extent of his talent. What about next season? Continue the adventure with its own structure, join a team or go to another adventure?
Retirement
This Sunday, September 8th, 2013 was also the last appearance on a podium and a World event of Juha SALMINEN (FIN – HVA). The Eightfold World Champion, who won 98 Grand Prix has decided to hang up after a great season that saw him finish second in E1 behind Antoine MEO (FRA – KTM). It is a monument of World Enduro that goes… For the occasion, a vibrant video tribute was made to him in the Halle aux Bleds where Juha was carried in triumph by his teammates of the Husqvarna CH Racing team.