| A hard second day for the BMW boys |
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| Written by Administrator | |||
| Wednesday, 01 April 2009 00:00 | |||
After a first exhausting day, the second round of the GRAND PRIX POLISPORT OF PORTUGAL did not offer respite to the stars of MAXXIS FIM WEC. With 4 laps each day, this Portuguese opening was marked by an impressive number of special tests, with not less than 12 timed sectors. Decisive during the first day, the Extreme Test appeared as hazardous as the day before, but the Enduro Test was also the theatre of many surprises. Nevertheless, the fastest riders were the same on both days. Mika Ahola, Johnny Aubert, Ivan Cervantes and Oriol Mena double their wins, and settle down at the top of their categories
In ENDURO 1, after a first day marked by the hegemony of Mika AHOLA (FIN-HM), the adversaries of the Finn decided to react. The Italians Thomas OLDRATI (ITA-KTM) and Simone ALBERGONI (ITA-KTM) surprised in the first morning tests. The rutted terrains succeed to the two boys, and Albergoni takes the 2nd place while Oldrati finishes in an encouraging third place, his first podium in the Seniors. Still in lack of experience of the WEC, the third KTM rider Eero REMES (SF-KTM) ends fourth of this tight category. On the other hand, there was nearly nothing to do against reigning champion Mika Ahola. However hustled by the Italians in the first times, the HM Honda factory rider testifies to a great confidence in this beginning of season. After an observation lap, he dominated the following tests and finishes the day leading by 35 seconds. Mika Ahola: Definitely unlucky in Portugal, French Marc GERMAIN (FRA-YAM) gave up in the Enduro Test, victim of ignition problems.
In ENDURO 2, after his disappointing 5th place on Saturday, the reaction of the ogre Juha SALMINEN (SF-BMW) was expected. In spite of a first good lap, in the rhythm of Top 3 of the category, the Finn made a mistake in the Extreme Test. Hurt, Salminen was not able to make better than a 6th final place. The disillusion of the BMW rider contrasts with the incredible serenity which reigns around Johnny AUBERT (FRA-KTM). The imperturbable world champion signs a second victory, with 1 minute 29 seconds, and positions firmly at the top of the championship. The second place of Enduro 2 returns to Cristobal GUERRERO (ESP-YAM). Handicapped by problems of brake on Saturday, the Spaniard announces himself like a serious candidate for the podiums. He precedes fast Rodrig THAIN (FRA-TM) and Alessandro BELOMETTI (ITA-KTM).
In the big class of ENDURO 3, this second day is marked by the DNF of David KNIGHT (GB-BMW). After he twisted his knee in the Enduro Test, the colossus from Isle of Man came back limping to the paddock at mid-day. It is obviously a new underachievement for the BMW team in this beginning of championship. On his way, his former sparring partner at KTM seems completely lighted up. Ivan CERVANTES (ESP-KTM) is flying over E3, with 44 seconds in advance on his first adversary. Behind the Spaniard, the positions are tightened, even if Christophe NAMBOTIN (FRA-GAS) second managed to maintain throughout the day a gap on Sebastien GUILLAUME (FRA-HVA) third and Samuli ARO (SF-KTM) fourth. The 2008 champion was slowed down by a latecomer rider in the special tests. On the side of the JUNIORS, the “grinta” of the Spanish pilots made the difference. Oriol MENA (ESP-HSB), large winner of the weekend is announced already like the best candidate for the title. The second place offered a beautiful brawl between Lorenzo SANTOLINO (ESP-KTM) and Jérémy JOLY (FRA-HM). The French gradually increased his rhythm during the day to overtake the Spaniard at the end of the race. In spite of the bad luck of Victor GUERRERO (ESP-YAM), forced to give-up on mechanical problem, the young Spanish guard is the animator of the Junior category. We will find it again on March 28th and 29th for the GRAND PRIX AMV OF SPAIN, second part of the Iberian tour in Igualada.
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 14 April 2009 10:59 ) |
