After a first full season with six Grand Prix from November till end of February and a nice rider set never seen before in the discipline, it’s time to have a quick look on this 2013/2014 edition of the Maxxis FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, class by class. Let’s start with the most followed category: the Prestige class…
They surprised
Daniel MCCANNEY (GB – Beta): the very first SuperEnduro Junior World Champion arrived in the Prestige class this season. And we weren’t expected him at this level. Indeed, the young Brit seems to have a lot of fun in this discipline as his 3rd place during the first hear in Poland can testify. Still in the Top 10, we’ll really have to count on him next season on his new Beta!
Dani GIBERT (E – Gas Gas): The Spanish surprised everybody in Tours last season, stealing a heat to Taddy BLAZUSIAK. And the Catalan did it again in Liverpool and Lodz (Poland). Then third in the championship, a serious knee injury prevented him to be 100% till the end of the season but a 6th rank still remains a good result for the new Gas Gas rider…
Benoit FORTUNATO (F – Yamaha): We knew “FORTU” able to make some shots in this discipline but we didn’t expect him so well placed… His best result?! A participation to the Super Pole powered by Akrapovic and a nice 5th place in the 3rd final in the Arena VFG in Guadalajara (Mexico). If the French doesn’t relax his efforts, he could become a serious client next year and will be specialized in SuperEnduro.
Mathias BELLINO (F – HVA): How can’t we class the HVA rider in this category? Gone far (16th in Liverpool), the flying red-head never stopped to improve in each Grand Prix to finish on the podium in France. His feats of arms: a win in Mexico, beating Taddy and KNIGHTER, a 3rd final place in the Super Pole powered by Akrapovic or also an amazing overtaking on the boss BLAZUSIAK on his homeland in Poland… Decidedly, BELLINO is the future of the SuperEnduro and without any doubt, the Rookie of the Year!
In place…
Taddy BLAZUSIAK (PL – KTM): We weren’t expected less than the KTM rider did: a fifth title, 4 Grand Prix victory on 6 possible and, cherry on the cake, the Super Pole powered by Akrapovic in the pocket. Without any surprise, the five time US Endurocross champion shut down the concurrence despite some impressive crashes and amazing comebacks!
David KNIGHT (GB – Sherco): Decided to be focus on the SuperEnduro and Hard Enduro with his new Sherco, the giant from the Isle of Man held a candle to BLAZUSIAK during the two thirds of the season before that bad motorbike choices deprived him his last titles hope from the Spanish Grand Prix. Second of the Championship, KNIGHTER should comeback stronger next season!
Jonny WALKER (GB – KTM): Deceiving at the beginning of the season, only 5th after two Grand Prix, the young rider from Keswick was back in South America and then never decreased his level. He ensured a 3rd rank thanks to his nice end of season. He will have to prepare very early this summer and avoid his so many crashes no to miss his start of season and to fight for the title…
Alfredo GOMEZ (E – HVA): Since last season, the Spanish never stop to improve. And, even if his final classification doesn’t reflect it, the HVA rider becomes a serious candidate for the final podium and the title… Next year, GOMEZ will have to pass another level in order to regularly fight for a Grand Prix victory…
They improved
Joakim LJUNGGREN (S – HVA): Struggling during the 2012/2013 edition, the Swedish never stopped to improve all along the season until fight with the Top 4 in Spain and France. The two times EWC Junior World Champ’ grabs the 5th rank in the overall and should continue to fight with the best next season…
Kyle REDMOND (USA – KTM): After a difficult start in Liverpool, the young American has constantly improved his places and his lap times. His best place, a Top 5 in Mexico where he seemed really easy… We hope to see him again next season, maybe on another bike…
Kevin ROOKSTOOL (USA – KTM): We can say that “Rookie” has animated the second heats. Regularly in the second grid, the American has been a Holeshot specialist during the reversed order and has also offered some spectacular crashes and nice fights with the top riders… Without any doubts, a guy who is good for the SuperEnduro and that we absolutely want to see again next year!
He disappointed
Kornel NEMETH (H – HVA): 5th last year, we were expecting a lot more from the sympathetic Hungarian rider. Moreover, he missed the South American tour and the Grand Prix AMV of France, but his 13th place doesn’t reflect unfortunately his talent…
We would love to see them more often
Ivan CERVANTES (E – KTM): Big showman, this discipline is made for him. The four times EWC World Champion has participated to three Grand Prix and gave a lot of fun to the spectators with his cheerfulness and his sense of show… No doubt that Ivan must be more present in the SEWC! He proved his speed in Barcelona, now he has to confirm it in race.
Cody WEBB (USA – Beta): Big protagonist of the US Endurocross, the ex-trial rider has realized a good Grand Prix of United Kingdom before having to fly back to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Without any doubt, his presence on the entire series will be a nice gain for the Championship and Taddy would have another tough rival…
Xavi LEON (E – HVA): As last year, the Spanish has participated to the SuperEnduro of Barcelona and Tours with nice results. Really sympathetic, the HVA rider is very interested to make the entire season and is already looking for the necessary budget…
Joaquim RODRIGUES (P – KTM): “J-ROD” said it himself; he had a lot of fun in SuperEnduro. If we seem him again next year, the KTM rider could become a precursor in his country where SuperEnduro riders are missing…