For the second consecutive year, the KTM Super Test of the Grand Prix Cross Pro of Portugal was a success in terms of audience, with nearly 5,000 Portuguese who were given an appointment this Friday night, as sports where there was suspense at every level…
While Jamie MCCANNEY (GB – Husaberg) won the FIM Youth Cup 125cc ahead of his rival Benjamin HERRERA (CL – TM) and the big Swedish Jesper BORJESSON (Husaberg), the new nugget of Eric Bernard, Loïc LARRIEU (F – Husaberg) showed his talent in Junior with a time of 1’48” 37. He calmed in the same time the heat of Matthew PHILLIPS (AUS – HVA) and Luis OLIVEIRA (P – Yam) that finished respectively second and third.
Then came the turn of the senior classes, where Matti SEISTOLA (FIN – HVA) thought goes for the win with an excellent time of 1’45”31 during his duel with Eero REMES (SF – TM). But the Finn saw his hopes quickly fell into the water. Indeed, after an “amazing” duel with Antoine MEO (FRA – KTM), Juha SALMINEN (FIN – HVA) took the lead (1’44” 51), flying over the difficulties of the track.
Every spectator thought the KTM Super Test could not escape to the Eightfold World Champion who had amazed all observers by his attack remained intact. But the big surprise of this beginning of season Alex SALVINI (I – HM Honda) came into the game and answered furiously to his former teammate stealing his first place (1’43”18) for a second thirty. The Italian seems to clearly convey a message to his opponents in the Enduro 2 class. Subsequently, Matthias BELLINO (F – Husaberg), definitely very fond of the Super Test, tried to steal the spotlight of the HM Honda rider but in vain, it failed just as the 11” and finished second as last year.
Note that in the Women’s, Laïa SANZ (E – Gas Gas) won her class ahead of Juliette BERREZ (FRA – Yam) and Jane DANIELS (GB – Husaberg) while Jessica GARDINER (AUS – Sherco), one of the contenders to the win tomorrow, has lost more than one minute after a fall that has stuck her in the rock section…
To finish this fantastic evening, Humberto RIBEIRO, the Portuguese stunter assured the show until 22:30. Now all the riders and the organizers and spectators are ready to fight tomorrow from 9:00 in the special tests of Torres Vedras…