| Rain Invites Itself On The First Day Of Grand Prix AMV Of Spain PRIX AMV OF SPAIN |
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| Written by Administrator |
| Thursday, 23 April 2009 11:26 |
 IGUALADA (SPAIN) - With more than 6000 spectators, the KTM SUPER TEST inaugurated the first day of GRAND PRIX AMV OF SPAIN, second of the eight meetings of 2009 MAXXIS FIM WEC. Organized on the Extreme Test’s track, this prologue imposes itself as a new appointment of the WEC. The stars of World Enduro Championship approach this night exercise with an increasing interest, the Husqvarna factory riders having mounted additional lights on their helmets in order to improve the visibility. The fastest man of the evening is the spectacular French Fabien PLANET (FRA-KTM). He precedes the Extreme specialists of E1 Xavi GALINDO (ESP-KTM) and Mika AHOLA (SF-HM).Five days only after a fast and tiring Portuguese opening, the WEC riders discovered in Igualada a new type of terrain, with a race format more traditional. The 3 laps of 70 kilometres led the riders through the Catalan mountain, where they competed a demanding Enduro Test, sometimes technical, sometimes rolling. The rain modified the profile of the race at mid-day. Confident after his double Portuguese win, Mika AHOLA (SF-KTM) in ENDURO 1 found again the ground on which he trained during the winter. But he ran up against a voluntary Antoine MEO (FRA-HVA) and a Simone ALBERGONI (ITA-KTM) very at ease in these conditions. Finally, the Finn imposes himself in the adversity with 8.43 seconds in advance on the Italian. Third, Meo wasted time in the trap of the Extreme Test. He shortly beats Thomas OLDRATI (ITA-KTM) and Fabien PLANET (FRA-KTM). In ENDURO 2, by making a mistake in the KTM Super Test, Juha SALMINEN (SF-BMW) started the day with a certain delay that he did not manage to fill, he finishes ninth. Still deprived of a direct adversary, Johnny AUBERT (FRA-KTM) did not lower his rhythm. In order to anticipate the rain, the French attacked the first special tests of the morning. His final advance of 37 seconds enables him to win the category with a certain margin. In spite of very a good start of race, Rodrig THAIN (FRA-TM) met some difficulties with the weather change, he is sixth. This ground more slippery at mid-day benefited Cristobal GUERRERO (ESP-YAM) second and Bartosz OBLUCKI (POL-HVA) third. Cristobal GUERRERO: “At the beginning of the race I did not have such a good feeling, I did not find a good rhythm but I’m surprised, finally my result is good. Johnny is very fast in each test, I must train a lot to catch him. But I’m confident, I try to focus on my job, race after race, and I must go on like this.” Through the day, the hierarchy of the ENDURO 3 moved, and the rain came to offer another face to the competition. Dominator on dryness the morning, national hero Ivan CERVANTES (ESP-KTM) was disturbed on second part of the day by the French Christophe NAMBOTIN (FRA-GAS), always fast under the water, then Sebastien GUILLAUME (FRA-HVA), who started the day with a delay and a wrist injury from the prologue. Profiting from the vivacity and lightness of their 2 strokes machines, the two French returned on the Spaniard. Cervantes confirmed his victory in the last special test, with 2.39 seconds in advance on Guillaume and 3.48 on Nambotin. Reigning champion Samuli ARO (SF-KTM) lost the fourth place against Alessandro BOTTURI (ITA-KTM). The best BMW rider of the category is David KNIGHT (GB-BMW), 6th. In spite of a changing weather, Oriol MENA (ESP-HSB) affirms himself like the boss of the JUNIOR category, with an advance of 4.60 seconds. He resisted to the attacks of adversaries more pressing than one week before. With technical conditions, the French Jérémy JOLY (FRA-HM) takes the second place, preceding Lorenzo SANTOLINO (ESP-KTM) and Victor GUERRERO (ESP-YAM). Note that in preparation of the possible appearance of a female category next season, the Frenchwoman Ludivine PUY (FRA-GAS) courageously pitted herself strength against the monsters of E3. If she finishes in bottom of the standings, her determination forced the admiration of the actors of the MAXXIS FIM WEC. www.abc-wec.com |
| Last Updated ( Friday, 08 May 2009 08:37 ) |