After seven long months of waiting, all kinds of speculation and intensive preparation from the EWC’s star performers, the Maxxis FIM Enduro World Championship is back on track starting with the Grand Prix AMV Seguros of Cataluña.
First of the eight rounds of the 2014 season, the GP AMV Seguros of Cataluña will take place in the peaceful town of Solsona in the province of Lleida and capital of Solsonès comarque. Unlike in previews year in Spain, the riders will not have to encounter high temperatures, although the racing is expected to be white hot.
For the very first time in its history, it’s the Bassella Experiences, with the help of the Moto Club Solsonès and the agreement of the FIM and the Real Federacion Motociclista Espana (RFME), who will have the task of being the opening organizer of the 2014 season. This organizer, chaired by Pau SOLER, is no stranger to the motorcycle world. Indeed, the Bassella Experiences has already organized for four years the famous Bassella Race where the best Enduro riders, like Ivan CERVANTES, compete next to thousands of non-professionals.
The Moto Club Solsonès and Bassella Experiences have drawn a lap of 68 kilometres that the riders will complete three times during each of the two days of racing, with two time checks per lap. The paddock will be situated in Solsona city centre, in Camp Del Serra. The Enduro Test will be located in Sarri while the Xtreme Test will take place in Bovila Musiquet and the Cross Test in Farriol. The Friday night KTM Super Test will be held in the city centre, next to the paddock, in the Escola Arrels. The terrain is dry, dusty and rocky and could well deliver some difficulties.
Solsona is situated in the Lleida province and in the autonomic community of Cataluña. This charming city, which features 9.000 inhabitants and a wonderful cathedral, is also the home of « Pallares Solsona », Spain’s well known knife manufacturer, which has existed since 1917. Solsona is situated only 112 kilometres North-West from Barcelona, the Cataluña capital, and 80 kilometres South from Andorra.
With more than 110 entries, this awesome location will welcome the Grand Prix AMV Seguros of Cataluña and open the 2014 season this Friday, April 4th from 19.00 with the KTM Super Test in the heart of Solsona.
The stars of the EWC are finally ready to fight on the Catalan track. After long months of preparation with his new 250 EXC-F, Christophe NAMBOTIN (F – KTM) will finally be able to begin his 2014 campaign, in a category he doesn’t know and against riders he’s never faced before… This first Grand Prix of the season will be a perfect indicator of how well the double Enduro 3 World Champion has adapted to his “small” KTM and to Enduro 1. Nambotin will have his work cut out against Eero REMES (SF – TM) and Cristobal GUERRERO (E – KTM) two riders very much focused on world championship success. We’ll also have to keep an eye on Thomas OLDRATI (I – HVA), Jérémy TARROUX (F – Sherco) and Nicolas DEPARROIS (F – Honda) that see, following the departure of Antoine MEO, a great opportunity to grab a first crown. The Frenchman Anthony BOISSIERE (Sherco), the Spain’s Jaume BETRIU (HVA) and the Italy’s Maurizio MICHELUZ (Suzuki) will be among the most serious outsiders…
Alex SALVINI (I – Honda) the 2013 E2 World Champion, welcomes Antoine MEO (F – KTM) to the E2 category, where the duo will join Pierre-Alexandre RENET (F – HVA) and Johnny AUBERT (F – Beta). Victim of a thumb fracture three weeks ago, the Italian is hoping to be 100% ready to launch his title defence… But the Spaniards Victor GUERRERO (KTM), Lorenzo SANTOLINO (Sherco) and Oriol MENA (Beta) and the Italian Manuel MONNI (HVA) could play the spoilsports. Also noteworthy is that Dakar rider Xavier DE SOULTRAIT (F – Yamaha) will make his come back to the EWC after the 2014 Dakar…
The Enduro 3 class is arguably the most exciting category this season with five riders in a position to win the title – all equally capable of creating an upset. Indeed, even if Ivan CERVANTES (E – KTM) remains the big favourite to succeed to NAMBOT’, Joakim LJUNGGREN (S – HVA), Aigar LEOK (EST – TM), Mathias BELLINO (F – HVA) and Matti SEISTOLA (SF – Sherco) are looking for the title and will give everything from the first special tests. We will also have to keep an eye out for Matthew PHILLIPS (AUS – KTM) in the Senior class and also the participation of Luis CORREIA (P – Beta), Jérémy JOLY (F – KTM) and Deny PHILLIPAERTS (I – Beta).
In the Under 23 class, the quartet composed by Giacomo REDONDI (I – Beta), Daniel MCCANNEY (GB – Beta), Loïc LARRIEU (F – HVA) and Jamie MCCANNEY (GB – HVA) are the big favourites. But some young guns as Pawel SZYMKOWSKI (PL – KTM), Rannar UUSNA (EST – KTM) and Nicolo MORI (I – KTM) can surprise everybody… In the FIM Youth Cup 125cc, the awaited duel between Albin ELOWSON (S – HVA) and Benjamin HERRERA (CL – TM) could be enhanced by two ambitious candidates – the Italian Matteo BRESOLIN (KTM) and the Swede Jesper BORJESSON (HVA).
In the Women Cup, Laïa SANZ (E – Honda) will seek a third title in a row and a perfect season but she will have to extricate herself from the traps set by Jane DANIELS (GB – HVA), Jessica GARDINER (AUS – Sherco), Geraldine FOURNEL (F – Sherco), Jemma WILSON (AUS – Yamaha) and Juliette BERREZ (F – Yamaha). Finally, Jessica JONSSON (S – Kawasaki) will make her comeback after a sabbatical year just like Samantha TICHET (F – KTM) while the Scandinavians Amanda ELVIN (S – HVA) and Marita NYQVIST (SF – Yamaha) will make their great debuts on the EWC…
This Grand Prix AMV Seguros of Cataluña is much awaited after seven long months and the Spanish and French fans will be numerous this weekend in order to support and appreciate the stars of the World Series in Solsona where Bassella Experiences and the Moto Club Solsonès have prepared a giant and international off-road bike celebration!