Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme : FIM Enduro & Cross-Country Rallies News

MAXXIS Enduro: fatal errors

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:50:00 +0200

The first day of the GREECE MAXXIS GRAND PRIX was spent watching the rising stars of each category, however, this Sunday the Championship leaders decided to take destiny into their own hands. Starting with Antoine MEO (FRA-HVA) in the small bikes of Enduro 1. After abandoning the race the day before, the Frenchman maybe didn’t know as much as his opponents, but his physical energy was undeniable. A real asset because once again temperatures in Serres soared to over 40°C.

Johnny AUBERT (FRA-KTM) rejoined the competition as the offical Husqvarna, battled hard and did the Enduro Test justice. Faster in his second round, Meo took a small advantage and Aubert failed to catch back up. At the finish, the championship leader reassured himself with a 19.93 second advantage ahead of his rival. Eero REMES (SF-KTM) didn’t get into the rythm of the two Frenchmen in the first trials. He suffered an attack from Cristobal GUERRERO (ESP-YAM) who took the last podium place ahead of him by 69 hundreths. Next to him, Maurizio MICHELUZ (ITA-TM) was forced to retire with a nose injury.

For Ivan CERVANTES (ESP-KTM), who has never lost on Greek soil, the race did not play out well. With his teammate Thomas OLDRATI (ITA-KTM), the Spaniard took a three minute lead and was heavily penalised. It is certainly a real setback in the title race for Cervantes, who had made this race ‘Operation last chance’. The errors of the KTM riders left the red carpet to HM Honda et Mika AHOLA (SF-HM). Deprived of direct opponents, the Finns won the day and made a decisive step towards a new Enduro 2 world title.

Mika AHOLA: "I saw Ivan engage in the Enduro Test well before me, so I knew he was ahead on points. It’s the kind of mistake that I committed earlier in my career, and I imagine they will be asking themselves questions now. For my part, I simply tried to apply myself to get a good time because you never know what can happen, there are still four days of competition left in the championship. I managed to stay focused and I’m really happy with this victory. »

This second round was also an opportunity to witness the return of Juha SALMINEN (SF-HVA) to the competition. After disappearing from three championship races due to a foot injury. He provided the Husqvarna 449 a first Grand Prix podium place as he took second. Pierre-Alexandre RENET (FRA-KTM) also had a smile under his helmet. On the third day, he also returned to the E2 podium. His success MX3 World Champion, making him one of the most sought after drivers by team managers in the transfer period. Plagued with shock problems since the start of the weekend, Rodrig THAIN (FRA-TM) was forced to retire. The Frenchman is rumoured to be following Mika Ahola next season.

In the Juniors, the leader and winner of the day Lorenzo SANTOLINO (ESP-KTM) made mistakes on the second day. He fell repeatedly and damaged his handlebars. Jeremy JOLY (FRA-HM) had a quiet day leading the Junior category, but the HM Honda rider lost his concentration and points. Disillusioned, he benefited from the poor form of his rivals and fell into 6th place. The victory of the day was played out between Antti HELLSTEN (SF-KTM) and Joshua GREEN (AUS-TM) suprisingly to the benefit of the Australian who was as happy as any to get a first win in the Grand Prix.

Pictures and highlights of the GREECE MAXXIS GRAND PRIX will be shown on Eurosport 2 at 17:00 on September 9.

MAXXIS FIM Enduro World Championship resumes

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:18:00 +0200

Holidays are indeed finished for the best world enduro riders. The MAXXIS FIM ENDURO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP is coming back with the 6th of the 8 event of the season. On August 28/29, the stars of Enduro refund one of the great tracks of the championship, the GRAND PRIX MAXXIS OF GREECE in Serres. During last years, the track had not very changed, and riders knew each rock, and each root. So, the dynamic Motor club of LAMS decided to create a new track especially for EWC.

“In fact almost the entire track changed, explains Christos Konstantinidis, the manager of the Greek organization. We added an extreme sector and especially we wanted to improve the access to the special tests. Two of them will be located close of the city center, so the public can come there and move there more easily. Unfortunately we will not benefit of freshness in the mountains, which obliged us to make a detour of 56 kilometers. But I think that this new layout around Serres, will be rockier and more attractive for riders and the public.” More difficult also. With its many canyons and a certain riding freedom, Greek Macedonia is a place of dream for the Enduro practice. It is also one of the hottest areas of Europe. Maybe scorching, and even stifling, the heat should be the principal adversary of riders. “The weather condition is a real problem for us because the thermometer oscillates between 40 and 42°C every day, says Christos Konstantinidis. A little rain would contribute to the good organization of the event, if not, we will have to face a very dusty test. »

Specialists in hard grounds as concrete, which they trained this summer in the South of Spain, France or Italy, enjoy riding in the Greek blaze. And that is good because the Spanish Torito really wants to come back in the title competition.
Ivan CERVANTES (ESP-KTM) upset the new routine this summer by announcing his engagement with GAS GAS for 2 seasons. But before seeing the alliance 100% Spanish at the top, the four times World Champion is always engaged with KTM until the end of the season. And this Grand Prix MAXXIS of Greece will be his last chance, if he wants to reduce the gap of 21 points between the leader of the championship Mika AHOLA (SF-HM) in the Enduro 2 class.

The versatility of the Finnish with the grinta of the Spanish: this new confrontation is announced promising. The Grand Prix MAXXIS of Greece will also be marked by the coming back of Juha SALMINEN (SF-HVA). Injured at the foot and absent from the last three event, the most titled Enduro rider is in a hurry to join again with the competition with the new Husqvarna-BMW.

“I am very motivated to come back in the championship, declares Juha Salminen. I unfortunately could not return before, it was impossible for me to ride. This injury at the foot spent much more time than I hoped to be restored. I am today able to ride at 100%, even if it makes me suffer in race end. The next events will prove especially more on my competition level with the new Husqvarna with the union of BMW. Since my injury, I took part only in one event in Sweden, and everybody knows that the level is not the World one. There are finally few differences with the old BMW and after all it is not that most important. I need simply competition to know where we are. »

Antoine MEO (FRA-HVA) in Enduro 1 as David KNIGHT (GB-KTM) in Enduro 3 have an important advance on their adversaries. It will be thus interesting to see how leaders of the championship approach this Greek event without pressure.
Regarding the Junior class and its particular rule (only the 12 best results are counting), the battle between Lorenzo SANTOLINO (ESP-KTM) and Jérémy JOLY (FRA-HM) are so intense that each second will be decisive in the world title.

Nearly 20 Greek riders will join these very good world endure riders. Even if it is a private sport, the Enduro in Greece recently showed an increase in the World, and particularly since the organization of the 2008 ISDE. We will have look on the young local champion of motocross who will join the MAXXIS FIM EWC for the first time.

Victory for Marc Coma in the Sertões International Rally

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 10:31:00 +0200

The Repsol rider has won 3 of the 10 stages held and crossed the finish line with an advantage of more than 17 minutes over the runner-up

Today, the fourth event in the Raids World Championship season, the Sertões International Rally, has ended, in which Marc Coma has dominated the bikes category. The Repsol rider, who took part on his KTM 690 Rally, secured victory in three of the ten stages that made up the race, finishing first at the end of the third day and accumulating a final advantage of 17 minutes and 25 seconds.

With today's 390-kilometre stage - 107 of which were timed -, the Repsol rider finished the almost 4,500 kilometres of the 18th edition of the Sertões International Rally with a total time of 25 hours, 52 minutes and 42 seconds. Coma started the last day in second place, with a 22 minute advantage in the accumulated standings and without pushing the pace to ensure that he reached the finish line in Fortaleza, he finished eighth with a time of 1 hour, 19 minutes and 56 seconds.

In a rally that stands out for the diversity of the terrain over the different stages, Coma won the second special and on the third day, led the accumulated standings, benefiting from local rider José Helio pulling out. Since then, with two more stage wins and four second places, the Repsol rider extended his advantage to more than 22 minutes over the rider in second at the end of the day yesterday, a difference that he managed to take the final victory.

With this result, Coma wins the special Brazilian event for the first time in his career and is now just two points off the top spot in the Raids World Championship.

Marc Coma : "I'm very satisfied. Today's stage was a stage without complications despite the obvious physical exhaustion after riding 4,500 km. It's been a really tough rally and with very varied terrains, so we couldn't lose concentration for a second. But it's also been fun, as the scenery and conditions changed every day.

Now, we're just two points off the World championship, so now we have to finish with a good result in the last rally if we want to be World Champions. I'd like to thank my team for their effort, as we the Sertões International Rally 2010 wasn't in our competition plans. I want to dedicate this win to a very special and dear person, who unfortunately is no longer with us. Jaume Mimó, this victory is yours too".

Marc Coma starts third at the Dos Sertoes Rally

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:19:00 +0200

The Repsol rider was third in the first stage of the Brazilian event, fourth meeting of the Raids World Championship, contested in Brazil.

Yesterday, the latest Dos Sertoes Rally competition in Goiania, Brazil began with Marc Coma as one of the principal riders in the competition. After the preliminary stage contested yesterday, in which the Repsol rider was fifteenth, following a strategy planned with the team, Coma finished third in the first stage of almost 205 kilometres – 133 of them against the clock – with a time of 1 hour, 41 minutes and 48 seconds.

The Repsol rider, who went out late because of the strategy put into practice yesterday to make up time in the event’s first special stage, finished the special stage of 133 kilometres which spanned the Goiania and Caldas Novas areas, in third position. Coma was not able to exploit the bike’s full potential due to going out late, because the dust thrown up by the quads preceding him, did not allow him to ride as fast as he would have liked.

At the controls of the KTM 690 Rally, the Repsol rider faces almost 4,500 kilometres over the next ten days – of which 2,500 will be against the clock – which will reach its most difficult point on Monday and Tuesday, with two special stages of 423 and 500 kilometres respectively. The classic Brazilian event, the fourth meeting of the current Raids World Championships – following the races of Abu Dhabi, Tunisia and Sardinia – will finish on Friday of next week in Fortaleza, in the region of Ceará in the north of the country.

Marc COMA: “It’s been a more difficult day than we expected, as the thick dust thrown up by the quads didn’t make things easy. Anyway, having started from fifteenth place, after the preliminary stage of yesterday, I’m quite pleased.

The rally will be very hard and difficult and navigation will be very important, so we have to be careful and consistent at the same time. We have a good pace but we have to stay focussed to be able to tackle the marathon stage with confidence which, for me, is the most important thing.”

Enduro Junior: Half season review

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:59:00 +0200

FIM Junior Enduro World Championship

Joly or Santolino The battle between the French Jérémy JOLY (HM Honda) and the Spanish Lorenzo SANTOLINO (E- KTM) in Enduro Junior class is real. One of those 2 riders should be the FIM World Champion in EJ.

After 5 success in a row (Spain, Portugal, Italy), SANTOLINO lost important points during the trip in East Europe and offered to the French JOLY his 3 first success. Very regular, the HM Honda EUROBOOST rider is ahead of the standing (233 points) although Lorenzo SANTOLINO scored 194 points.

Jérémy JOLY (F) We remind you that we only count 12 best results for the title win, so there still remains what will happen during the 3 last Grand Prix, essential of course! This class is a battle between France and Spain with the 3rd rank for Victor GUERRERO (E – Yamaha), winner in Spain and the 5th rank for Mario ROMAN and his KTM 125cc.

French of the Team FFM Armée de Terre are also in the Top 10 with Romain DUMONTIER (4th – HVA) and Antoine BASSET (10th) or also Pierre PALLUT 6th (Team Enduro Free Ride – KTM).

Some Nordics are also present as Johan CARLSSON (S – Beta) or Anti HELLSTEN (SF – KTM) or Calle SJOO (Husaberg). And, undoubtedly, the revelation of this season is the Australian Joshua GREEN (TM Electraction).

The FIM Youth Cup 125 for Roman

Despite 3 wins in Poland and Slovakia, the Sweden Robert KVARNSTROM (Gas Gas) will have many difficulties to come back on the Spanish Mario ROMAN, ahead of the MAXXIS FIM Youth Enduro Cup 125cc 2 strokes.

With 3 wins, the title seems to be reserved to the Spanish coached by Ivan CERVANTES in a very elevated and appreciated class where the French Berenger CARRIER, 2nd (HVA) is also at the Top.

David KNIGHT, the boss

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:45:00 +0200

Christophe NAMBOTTIN (F- Gas Gas) could regret for a long time abandoning on the 1st day of the GP MAXXIS of Poland because of engine problems.

Indeed, without this “blank” result, the French would only be 5 points away from the British rider, David KNIGHT (KTM) current leader of the Championship with 234 points (6 wins). And if, David KNIGHT, who was always in the Top 3 during last events, is still riding at the same level, the official GAS GAS rider will not be able to come back on the RED BULL rider.

So, the title looks clear for David KNIGHT who is more and more the leader of Husqvarna Xtreme Test Award! 2010 is the year of the redemption for Knighter… Because except Sébastien GUILLAUME (HVA) 4th (and as usual unlucky at the beginning of season) and Simone ALBERGONI (I - KTM) very good 3rd rank of the Championship, there are not many riders who will be able to join the duo KNIGHT/NAMBOTTIN. Marcus KEHR (D - KTM) is the best German rider and his 5th rank is a right reward.

NAMBOTTIN does not renounce
If Alessandro BOTTURI (I – Husaberg), Michal KADLECEK (CZ – TM), Aaron BERNARDEZ (E – KTM) have a very good season (respectively 6th, 7th, 8th), they are very far from the leader!!

Injured in Italy, Mena ORIOL (E – Husaberg) 9th, has to improve himself and especially during the end of the season just like the Polish Bartosz OBLUCKI (HVA) who is the main disappointment in this E3 class.

The value:

Increasing: KNIGHT – NAMBOTTIN - ALBERGONI
Steady: GUILLAUME – KEHR
Declining: OBLUCKI

Ahola impressing

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:17:00 +0200

Ones after others , rivals of Mika AHOLA fail (Juha SALMINEN and Rodrig THAIN injured) or are losing hope… as Ivan CERVANTES (E - KTM) outdistanced of 21 points by the Finnish before the Grand Prix of Greece (August 28/29).

We can say that the HM Honda rider set the pace in this E2 class combining panache, brio, regularity and a certain success. With 7 wins and 3 second places and 241 points out of 250, the official HM Honda is a real “terminator” of the class!!

Very good and professional Ivan CERVANTES had lost some important points in Slovakia on a muddy track which is not its predilection ground. The Grand Prix in Greece will be determining and have absolutely to win on 2 days in order to doubt his tough rival while remaining in the title win.

CERVANTES will do his best in Greece

The good surprises in this class come from Tomas OLDRATI (I - KTM), winner of his 1st Grand Prix in Slovakia and of the French Pierre Alexandre RENET (KTM) from now used podiums and the outsider of the class. The young from Bergamo is more and more brilliant event after event whereas the ex MX3 World Champion succeeds his reconversion in Enduro.

The Swedish Joakim LJUNGGREN (Husaberg) is 5th ranks thanks to his regularity than his brio… He will have to take care of his “long” program (EWC, Enduro Indoor..). Idem for the BMW/Husqvarna official rider Marko TARKKALA “orphan” of Juha SALMINEN and who does not withstand the “pressure”.

Rodrig THAIN (F - TM) has a very important speed potential but falls too many times to be in the top 5 during a whole season. Valteri SALONEN (SF - Husaberg) is 8th as the official SHERCO rider Fabien PLANET (F - 10th). Oscar BALLETTI (I - HM Honda) has an interesting potential but has still lack of regularity.

Finally congratulation to Jean François GOBLET (B - Yamaha), who is close to the top 10 and takes part into the MAXXIS FIM Enduro World Championship with very budget price but with many passion and talent. So, the MAXXIS FIM Enduro World Championship remains completely accessible to private riders.

They are «phenomenal»

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:57:00 +0200

After 2 events, those 12 women who took part into the Grand Prix of Italy and Poland command admiration.

Enduro is a sport very requiring physically, technically but also morally and riders of the MAXXIS FIM Women’s Enduro World Cup wan respect of men’s riders and international press and also spectators who clapped them, encourage them and sometimes helped them.

Even if French women with Ludivine PUY (Gas Gas) seems to be more prepared and managed, Swedish, German and the brilliant Catalan Laia SANZ (Honda) command respect. Heike PETRICK (D) Indeed, the favorite Ludivine PUY had a serious advantage for the final win (and especially because the final will take place in France on September 25/26) but the deft Blandine DUFRENE (Gas Gas) can still believe in it and will forever remain in annals thanks to the 1st win in the women cup during the World Enduro. (Lovere - GP of Italy).

Ludivine PUY to the final win
French women and Gas Gas would like to do a Hat trick thanks to Audrey ROSSAT (3rd in the standing) but Vanya KOLLMAN (Sweden - KTM) and Heike PETRICK (D - KTM) accessed podium in Poland and confirmed their important progress as Stéphanie BOUISSON (F - Yamaha) currently 6th in the standing. The coming back of Laia SANZ (E – Honda) during the final in France should increase our interest to this new class with also the Australian Alison PARKER with her courage and an her permanent smile.

With almost 10 women in each event and a sporting level very high, the MAXXIS FIM Women’s Enduro World Cup undoubtedly succeed its beginning and found its place in the MAXXIS FIM Enduro World Championship.

FIM Women’s Enduro World Cup 2010

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:30:00 +0200

For the first time in FIM History, the Enduro Commission (CER) created an FIM Women’s Enduro World Cup after having created the Women’s Trophy for the Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in 2007.

Lovere (Italy)

The first two races took place in Lovere (IT) in May 2010. Twelve female riders participated in this competition on Saturday and Sunday. They rode 2 laps (each of 40 km) including all the special tests such as the Extreme Test and the Super test on the Friday before.

Giovanni Sala, five-time Enduro World Champion, FIM Course Inspector and a great supporter of women riders, did a wonderful job explaining the track during the riders meeting for the female competitors on Friday. The FIM Enduro Commission Coordinator and a representative of the FIM Women’s Commission were also present during the whole week end to support the female riders.

All twelve riders finished and enjoyed the course. It was an additional honor to have 9-time Trials World Champion, Laia Sanz from Spain competing to get practice for Dakar in 2011. It was a great battle all weekend between favorite Ludivine Puy from France, Laia Sanz and Blandine Dufrene also from France.

Kwidzyn (Poland)

The second World Cup Enduro weekend took place in Kwidzyn Poland, 300 km away from Warsaw, where competitors were met with deep sand and technical trails.

This time there were nine female riders at the start. FIM Women’s Commission (CFM) representatives were in attendance and met with female riders and Giovanni Sala to explain the specifications of the polish track.

The Polish Federation (PZM) representatives did a great job during the race and were particularly helpful to the female competitors.

It is also to be noted that there was an anti-doping test at the end of the first day and one rider from each category, including women’s, were tested.

A polish group of supporters of Women Enduro Riders, “FEMduro Team” was present both days to encourage the women during each special test. These colorful fans created an exciting atmosphere at the track.

Ludivine Puy proved to be the favorite in this FIM Women’s Enduro World Cup by winning both days followed by Blandine Dufrene.

The Enduro rules say that out of the six Enduro World Cup races in 2010 the best four results count. An FIM Women’s Commission member will also be present at the last Grand Prix round in Noiretable (France) on 25-26 September.

To find the full results, please click here

First win for Oldrati

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:52:00 +0200

As the park at Puchov closed this Sunday evening, the riders were exhausted and seemed lost. The bikes bore the marks of a race that will undoubtedly be the biggest mechanical challenge of the season. For two days, participants in the MAXXIS FIM ENDURO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP have taken part in a test of strength, including an Enduro Test where the only word on the riders lips was survival. Cooled by the rainy morning, the second round of the SLOVAKIA IRS GRAND PRIX, powered by CASINO BONVER, was led once again by the experts, providing an unprecedented ranking.
Without headaches and loss of balance to hamper him, Johnny AUBERT (FRA-KTM) was back at his best. Very good in these technical conditions, the Frenchman refound the powerful, well-timed riding that brought him success in previous seasons. Testimony to this, he held a 36 second margin over his closest rival and was the winner in all categories.

Yesterday’s hero, Cristobal GUERRERO (ESP-YAM) had to throw in the towel in the Enduro Test, where he dislocated his shoulder. Second place was played out between the trio-Seistola-Remes-Meo. Antoine MEO (FRA-HVA) showed that there was still room for further development. The championship leader had a number of falls and motor problems, but he managed to take the podium ahead of his team mate Matti SEISTOLA (SF-HVA). Faster in each section, the Finn had to finish the race on the rim of his tyre. Gleaned from the first timed laps of the morning, it was this advantage which enabled Eero REMES (SF-KTM) to take second place in the Enduro 1.

The sensation of the weekend in ENDURO 2 was Thomas OLDRATI (ITA-KTM) - who won his first victory in the big league. The 2008 Junior World Champion gave a dazzling performance in front of the heavyweights and offered the Italian Enduro the success it has been waiting a long time for. Thomas OLDRATI said: « It is a magnificent day for me. I tried to attack from the start in order to get the result I got. I simply wish to thank my team, which is always behind me, Alessandro Belometti who helps me a lot. My bike was certainly an advantage in these conditions, but I rode strongly. »

Oldrati left Mika AHOLA (SF-HM) behind him by 17.90 seconds and Ivan CERVANTES (ESP-KTM) in third frustrated by the mud. The Spaniard conceded two extra points to the Finnish leader who now has a 21 point advantage. The most amusing story of the day involved Pierre-Alexandre RENET (FRA-KTM). A spectator of the Enduro test who had arived on a motorcycle dropped his helmet, which plummeted onto the track and hit the front brake of the Frenchman’s KTM. With a buckled disc, Renet was handicapped throughout the second lap and ended fourth.

In ENDURO 3, David KNIGHT (GB-KTM) took revenge for his misgivings the previous day. The Briton visibly found an accord with his bike that seemed to have evolved throughout the week. His success was obvious as he took a 52.11 second lead. Sebastien GUILLAUME (FRA-HVA) took second place, after a brawl with his opponent Simone ALBERGONI (ITA-KTM), who was stuck in the dirt, and Christophe NAMBOTIN (FRA -GAS). Yesterday’s winner was delayed in the early morning test and also damaged his motorcycle as he collided with a tree on the enduro test but remained on the podium in the big bike category. Bartosz OBLUCKI (POL-HVA) had to abandon as he fell victim to the same issues as teammate SEISTOLA in E1.

As per the previous day, and as a result of his success in Poland, Jeremy JOLY(FRA-HM) took the JUNIOR championship once again, achieving the first double of his career, whilst his rival Lorenzo SANTOLINO (ESP-KTM) abandoned the race.