Over a month and a half after the Enduro World Championship’s South American tour, which once again proved to be a great success, EWC series returns to Europe for the Grand Prix AMV Seguros of Spain.
Third of this year’s seven Grand Prix, the GP AMV Seguros of Spain takes place in the town of Puerto Lumbreras, where the stars of the EWC will face challenges very different to those they encountered in South America …
After 2004 and 2007, the Moto Club Nogalte does it again!
For the third time in the history of the ‘new formula EWC’, the FIM has placed its trust in the Moto Club Nogalte and the Real Federacion Espanola Motociclista, who will organise the first European race of the season. This Moto Club, chaired by Jean François GABARRON, is certainly no stranger when it comes to world championship level enduro events. Indeed, it has already twice held a round of the Maxxis FIM Enduro World Championship, in 2004 and 2007, as well as many rounds of the Spanish Enduro and Cross-Country Championships. Interestingly, it is also in Puerto Lumbreras in 2004 where ABC Communication began its work of promoting the “WEC”. 10 years already!
On the occasion of the Grand Prix AMV Seguros of Spain, the Moto Club Nogalte has drawn a lap of 45 kilometers that the riders will complete four times during each of the two days of racing, with two time checks per lap. The paddock will be at the Recinto Ferial, as in 2004. The Cross Test and Enduro Test will take place at Polideportivo while the Xtreme test will be located at Penas Blancas. The terrain is dry, dusty and rocky, but that could change depending on the weather weekend … There will be no Super Test in Puerto Lumbreras.
Puerto Lumbreras is located in the province of Murcia, in the autonomous community of the same name. This city, with an area of 139km2, is located 90 kilometers southwest of Murcia and 319 km north-east of Malaga. This city was ravaged on October 19th, 1973 by a major flood, which destroyed many homes. A memorial in honor of the victims was then built in the city. Of course, the 14,000 people of Puerto Lumbreras, and the Province of Murcia are avid fans of Enduro and made an appointment at the Maxxis FIM Enduro World Championships in May 11th and 12th.
Can NAMBOTIN put the record straight?
In the Enduro 3 class, the leader Christophe NAMBOTIN (FRA – KTM) will attempt to reassert the dominance he showed last year at the same time. Indeed, during the opening rounds of the series the French rider was not as competitive as he hoped due to injury. Nambotin’s direct competitor (3 points separating them) was Joakim LJUNGGREN (S – Husaberg) who is looking to confirm his successful South American tour and regain the class lead on land he knows well due to now living full-time in the South of Spain. Third in class Aigar LEOK (EST – TM), who delivered an amazing Argentinian Grand Prix, will want to continue his momentum and secure valuable points in the hope of beating the top two. The two early season surprises Luis CORREIA (P – Beta) and Manuel MONNI (I – KTM) will be aiming to get back on the podium. For his part, Marcus KEHR (D – KTM) will seek again to regain the level that he had before his numerous injuries while Deny PHILIPPAERTS (I – Beta) will look to continue his improvements. Marko TARKKALA, recovered from his wrist injury, will have to provide much better results for Johansson MPE team.
In Enduro 1, after a great start (4 wins out of 4 possible) Antoine MEO (FRA – KTM) and his KTM 250 EXC-F will aim to claim yet more points on land similar to that encountered in South America. But the triple World Champion should be highly wary of the Husky Boys Juha SALMINEN (SF) and Matti SEISTOLA (SF) who gave him some big problems on the other side of the Atlantic. Moreover, the Eightfold World Champion SALMINEN will try to go a little deeper into the history of the discipline by signing his 100th Grand Prix victory (he is 98 now)… Thomas OLDRATI (I – Husaberg) and Eero REMES (SF – TM) will also work not to let the official KTM get too far ahead while Simone ALBERGONI (I – HM Honda) will need to raise his level if he wants to become a championship contender. For their part, the French riders Jérémy JOLY (Honda) and Nicolas DEPARROIS (Yam) will look to confirm the good results enjoyed during the first two GP. Finally, on home soil and recovered from his shoulder injury, Cristobal GUERRERO (ESP – KTM) could act as a referee of choice in the fight for first place between teammate MEO and the two flying Finns.
The race for first place in the Enduro 2 class will be even more intense. Indeed, the current leader of the category Alex SALVINI (I – HM Honda) could well win again but he will have to be at his very best to fend off Ivan CERVANTES (ESP – KTM) on home soil. In addition to the Spanish rider “SALVO” must also be wary of the 2012 World Champion Pierre-Alexandre RENET (F – Husaberg) who was the only one rider to beat him in South America. Also Johnny AUBERT (FRA – KTM) and David KNIGHT (GB – Honda), who were steadfast in Chile and Argentina, will once again be very dangerous in Puerto Lumbreras. Salvini will also have to keep an eye on the young Spanish guard led by Victor GUERRERO (KTM) and the 2009 and 2010 Junior World Champions, Oriol MENA (Husaberg) and Lorenzo SANTOLINO (HVA). In addition Antoine BASSET (F – Yam) and Oscar BALLETTI (I – KTM) will need to provide better results for their teams.
The Women return to service!
In the Enduro Junior class, Giacomo REDONDI (I – KTM) will start as class leader in Puerto Lumbreras but will he sufficiently recovered from his broken thumb? In all cases, the Italian has much to do with his two most serious competitors, the fantastic Matthew PHILLIPS (AUS – HVA), located just 3 points away from him, and the consistent Danny MCCANNEY (GB – Gas Gas), who sits just 6 points from first place. The Spanish public places much hope on the 2011 Vice World Champion Junior Mario ROMAN (Husaberg) who has yet to find his best form. Robert KVARNSTROM (S – Beta), Loic LARRIEU (F – Husaberg) and Rudy MORONI (I – KTM) also aim to get back on the podium.
In FIM Youth Cup 125cc, talent duo Jamie MCCANNEY (GB – Husaberg) – Benjamin HERRERA (CL – TM) will likely once again battle for the top position.
Finally in Enduro Women, Laia SANZ (E – Gas Gas) will seek a second consecutive title and a ‘perfect’ season but she will have to extricate herself from the traps set by Audrey ROSSAT (F – KTM), Jessica GARDINER (AUS – Sherco), Jemma Wilson (AUS – Honda), Jane DANIELS (GB – Husaberg) and Juliette BERREZ (F – Yam). Finally, Geraldine FOURNEL (F – Husaberg) will make her comeback after a knee injury while Samantha TICHET (F – KTM) and the South African Toni JARDINE (KTM) will try their very best to compete with the known class leaders.
This Grand Prix AMV Seguros of Spain is highly anticipated after six years of absence in the province of Murcia. No doubt thousands of Spaniards fans will come to the various special tests to encourage the world’s best enduro racers. We bet that the experienced Moto Club Nogalte has gathered all the elements to make this third round of the series a popular festival in the south of Spain…
Informations :
– Puerto Lumbreras (Province of Murcia);
– A 90 kilometers of Murcia and 319 kilometers of Malaga;
– Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th of May: Start 9h00 – Arrivals at 16h00;
– Organizer: Moto Club Nogalte;
– Website: www.enduro-abc.com;
– Track: 45kms – 4 tours;
– Free Access;
– Airport: Murcia (90kms), Alicante (162kms)