Only few days after the GP of Chile, the Maxxis FIM Enduro World Championship is back in Argentina now, as it was in 2012, and still in San Juan, after crossing the Cordillera of Andes on 4000 meters and a travel of 800 kilometers… with many emotions.
As last year, the FIM gave its confidence to MasEventos and the Confederacion Argentina de Motociclismo Deportivo (CAMOD) the organization of this event. This three-headed organization, directed by David ELI from Mas Eventos is in association with the passionate of Enduro in San Juan gathered in the “Asociacon San Juanina de Enduro y Rescate” chaired by Alfredo VARGAS and helped by important local people Raul MENEGAZO.
San Juan is situated in the San Juan province and in Capitale department, in Tulum valley in the west of the San Juan river. This nice town on the foot of the Cordillera of Andes and nicknamed the “Stars of Andes” has more than 120 000 inhabitants and has numerous touristic places as the like the Santo Domingo convent, the Juan Victoria Auditorium (one of the most important in the world), its baths… San Juan is only 175 kilometers South to Mendoza and to 1111 kilometers from the Argentinian capital: Buenos Aires. Just like Talca (Chile), San Juan is a wine growing region… Ullum, only 20kms on the North of San Juan < /strong>there is a local oasis; next to the desert, thanks to its nice lake. And it is in Ullum that every special tests are gathered for this Grand Prix Maxxis of Argentina.
A new track…
Indeed, ASER, the local club, has drawn a different track from 2012. This one will make 50 kilometers and will cross the Ullum’s lake and barrage in a wonderful lunar landscape. The rider will have to cover it 4 times during the two race days with 7 hours on the bike across 200 kilometers arid and desert. The Paddock will be situated as last year in the Predio Ferial, in the center of San Juan, where will take place the KTM Super Test on Friday night (18.00). We are waiting for 12000 aficionados while the cameras of Argentinean National TV will broadcast the event in live! Gio SALA (FIM Race Inspector) and Ariel NAVARRO, local rider, will present us the track. The Enduro Test, situated in “El Pinar”, on the foot of the barrage of Ullum is totally new: “The Enduro Test will be more complicated than in 2012…” explain us the five times World Champion “Indeed, it is more difficult and demanding with top and downhill very technical. Moreover, it will be very tricky with the dust and the different stones. The race can be played here on those 6 kilometers of test!” The Cross test is localized in Ullum in the same place than last year, a training track for local ASER riders. “It’s a very fluid and fast special test with jump combos. His length of 3 kilometers will not help to make big gap.” New one this year, the Xtreme Test is situated in “El Castillo” on the other side of Ullum barrage… “It is more spectacular and technical than last year on its 2.5 kms. Public and riders must love it with his landscape et and its natural difficulties.”
The E2 Big Five…
In Enduro 2, the race for the first place seems to be once again exciting. Pierre-Alexandre RENET (F – Husaberg) and Alex SALVINI (I – HM Honda), winners in Chile, will look to do it again while Ivan CERVANTES (E – KTM) and Johnny AUBERT (F – KTM) will try to clinch their first victory just like David KNIGHT (GB – Honda) who has confirmed an impressive speed! Behind this Top 5, it will be very difficult to the outsiders as MENA (E – Husaberg), V.GUERRERO (E – KTM), BALLETTI (I – KTM) or SANTOLINO (E – HVA) and BASSET (F – Yam) to look better than the 6th rank… And the numerous Argentinian spectators await in the special test will have to shout for their best national riders, Kevin BENAVIDES (KTM) and Franco CAIMI (KTM), not so far from the Top 10!
And if Christophe NAMBOTIN (F – KTM) is not so untouchable than we were thinking? The victory of Joakim LJUNGGREN (S – Husaberg) on Saturday in the Enduro 3 class has maybe open a breach in the “wall” of the French who won on Sunday… but not with his insolent speed he showed in 2012! Best Gas Gas rider, Rodrig THAIN (F) seems to be the 3rd one on the fight for the win with a vindictive Aigar LEOK (EST – TM) after his difficulties in Chile. Manuel MONNI (I – KTM) and Luis CORREIA (P – Beta) have shown great potential in Talca just like Fabien PLANET (F – Sherco) and Marcus KEHR (D – KTM). However it will be difficult for them to reach the podium…
Après des débuts victorieux au Chili sur sa KTM 250 EXC-F, Antoine MEO (F – KTM) aura pour objectif de confirmer ses deux belles prestations tout en marquant plus encore de son emprunte la catégorie Enduro 1. Mais gageons que les 2 officiels Husqvarna, Matti SEISTOLA et Juha SALMINEN feront tout pour contrer la domination du Champion en titre épaulés par un Thomas OLDRATI (I – Husaberg) très incisif à Talca. Grand perdant du GP du Chili en raison de son épaule douloureuse et son abandon du 2eme jour, l’autre officiel KTM Cristobal GUERRERO a déjà fait une croix sur cette tournée Sud Américaine et sur le titre 2013. De leurs côtés, les français < strong>JOLY (Honda) et DEPARROIS (Yamaha) sont attendus pour une confirmation après leur excellente 1ere journée alors qu’Eero REMES (SF – TM) malgré un podium « heureux » le 2eme jour doit hausser le ton s’il veut conserver son standing d’outsider.
Qui peut battre REDONDI?
Auteur d’un impeccable doublé ce week-end, le prometteur Giacomo REDONDI (I – KTM Iron Racing) a impressionné chez les JUNIORS et a surtout évité la faute ! Mais cette catégorie en pleine effervescence semble plus ouverte que jamais avec une bonne dizaine de pilotes capables de s’imposer comme KVARNSTROM (S – Beta), PHILIPPS (AUS – HVA), LARRIEU (F – Husaberg), MANZI (I – KTM), D’AMBROSIO (I – Yam), MORONI (I – KTM), OLIVEIRA (P – Yam), MCCANNEY (GB – Gas Gas), ROMAN (E – Husaberg), MORI (I – Beta), EDLUND (S – Husaberg), HARPER (AUS – Honda)… le Junior cette année c’est la bouteille à encre !!
La FIM YOUTH CUP 125cc et son leader Benjamin HERRERA (CL – TM) compléteront le programme et le plateau de 110 engagés (dont plusieurs pilotes Brésiliens) attendus au départ de ce 2e GP de la saison.
This Grand Prix Maxxis of Argentina is really awaited and local aficionados are ready to shout in San Juan that will be for few days the temple of the World Enduro!
Information:
– San Juan (San Juan Province) ;
– 175 kms from Mendoza and 1111 kms from Buenos Aires ;
– Friday 22nd March : KTM Super Test from 18.00
– Saturday 23rd March and Sunday 24 March : Start 9.00 – Finish at 16h00 ;
– Organizers : + eventos ; Aser ; Camod
– Website : www.enduro-abc.com and www.masenduro.com.ar ;
– Track : 50kms – 4 laps ;
– Free Access ;
– Airport : Mendoza (175 kms)