Just back from the Iberian tour (Catalonia – Portugal) and a little less than a month before the Grand Prix Maxxis of Greece (Kalambaka), let’s have a quick look on what we shouldn’t be missed in April…
Young Guns
The big favorites in each category are known after the first two Grand Prix of the season except in the FIM Youth Cup 125cc. Even if Davide SORECA (I – Yam) is in the lead with 15 points ahead, he was not as sovereign in Portugal and it is Nicolas PELLEGRINELLI (I – KTM) and Mikael PERSSON (S – KTM) which shown themselves. But in addition to these three riders, seven are able to claim victory and the title: Jeremy MIROIR (F – Yam), Michele MARCHELLI (I – KTM), Albin ELOWSON (S – HVA), Benjamin HERRERA (CL – TM), Jesper BORJESSON (S – HVA) and Nicholas TRAININI (I – KTM). After two years with a domination of only one rider (REDONDI then MCCANNEY) in the category, we will have a hunt with 10 contenders this season. This brings a lot of spice and a good spotlight to a categ ory that represents the future of the EWC…
Cross Pro
On the occasion of the Grand Prix Polisport of Portugal, Alain and Bastien BLANCHARD (ABC Communication) took the opportunity to visit one of the loyal sponsors of the Maxxis FIM Enduro World Championship. Indeed, they went to the headquarters of Cross Pro Company, in Agueda, a firm specializing in aluminum protection. Davide GOUVEIA, director of the Portuguese brand, said he was “very pleased to welcome BLANCHARD family and loved the Grand Prix of Portugal!”
Confirmation
During this third Grand Prix in Vale de Cambra, Jean-Guillaume MEILLER (CEN Director) and Alain BLANCHARD (ABC Communication) took the opportunity to permanently remove the lingering doubts in the caravan of the EWC: there will be for sure a Grand Prix Acerbis of Mexico. This sixth round will be held in the town of Silao in Guanajuato state, next July 4th, 5th and 6th with a big financial effort of the Mexican organizer.
Sympathetic
We already talked briefly before the Grand Prix of Catalunya about a Brazilian delegation that will participate in the Iberian tour. And the least we can say is that it has not gone unnoticed. While their best rider Romulo BOTTREL (Beta) has been brilliant in E3 during the last day in Portugal (13th) by scoring his first points, the friendliest one will remain for sure Jean Pierre BUTAZZI (Beta). Indeed, the rider, who also raced in E3, unfortunately couldn’t finish one of the four days of racing but has, like all the staff of the Brazilian team, added a grain of exotic in the paddocks of Solsona and Vale de Cambra, and also improvised a “Brazilian” night in their booth on Friday in Portugal!
Injured list
After two Grand Prix, the Injured list of the EWC is already busy…
– Victor GUERRERO (ESP – KTM): left knee;
– Pukka DURAN (COL – KTM): Right Forearm fracture;
– Julien GAUTHIER (F – Sherco): sprain collarbone;
– Dawid CIUCCI (I – TM): dislocated left shoulder;
– Thomas OLDRATI (I – HVA): dislocated right shoulder;
– Jessica JONSSON (S – Kawasaki): Foot;
– Joakim LJUNGGREN (S – HVA): Sprained left knee;
– Loïc LARRIEU (FRA – HVA): Finger fractured;
– Nicolas DEPARROIS (F – Honda): Sprained right thumb;
They join the infirmary. We wish them a speedy and good recovery.
YLE
This is definitely the year of the come back on the EWC this season. After new contracts with TV 3 Catalunya and Italian channel Nuvolari TV, ABC Communication has sold the TV rights of the Maxxis FIM Enduro World Championship to the Finnish channel YLE which already had these same rights during the 2012 season. With an important Nordic tour (Finland – Sweden), this agreement is nice and YLE could help the SMF (Finnish Federation), which is actively seeking the future ARO, TIAINEN, SALMINEN or AHOLA, by giving inspiration to the young Scandinavians to Enduro…
Great First
This South American tour has been synonymous with great first for some riders… Indeed, Christophe NAMBOTIN (F – KTM) signed his first victories in the E1 class while Matti SEISTOLA (SF – Sherco) took his Sherco for the first time on the E3 podium… Matthew PHILLIPS (AUS – KTM), also hung his first Senior podiums to his name and Youth Davide SORECA (I – Yam), Nicolas PELLEGRINELLI (I – KTM) and Mikael PERSSON (S – KTM) impressed by winning a race day in FIM Youth Cup 125cc!
Mister second day
During this Iberian tour, we got the debut of Jonathan BARRAGAN (E – HVA) on the EWC. Part of the new Wilson team of Mario ROMAN (E – HVA), Eloi SALSENCH (ESP – KTM) and Josep GARCIA (E – HVA), the former MXGP rider made nice results… during the second race days. Indeed, while he had some difficulties during the first day (11es/8th), he was an incisive and near to the podium BARRAGAN we found the day after (4th/5th). He is now 7th in the standings of the E2 class and we would like of course to see him again during the remainder of the Championship and from the Grand Prix Maxxis of Greece in Kalambaka…