As from 2012, the FIM Indoor Enduro World Championship becomes FIM SuperEnduro World Championship. 

Juha Salminen (FIN - HVA) has unwittingly thrown open the Enduro 1 category. In fact, the HVA rider was unfortunate in being victim of a mechanical failure from the second lap with the breakdown of his 250 HVA's gearbox. He will therefore not have a podium finish in this Grand Prix and on top of that, he sees his major opponent of the Championship, Eero REMES (FIN - KTM) catch up with him. Despite all this, the seven times world champion keeps smiling and assures us that " if it is not this weekend, it will be for the final in France.

With a non-timed Xtreme Test during the day, due to heavy rain in the night, the EWC riders gave their all in the Enduro Test and the Cross Test, to decide between them and some were unlucky. The show was nonetheless a good one throughout the day and charmed not only the Andorran fans of Trial, but also a great number of spectators from France and Spain.

With the withdrawal of the provisional Enduro 1 leader, Juha SALMINEN (FIN - HVA), we witnessed some great duels for first place between Eero REMES (FIN - KTM) and Rodrig THAIN (FRA - HM Honda) as well as a final sprint from Matti SEISTOLA (FRA - HVA). The Frenchman took advantage of SALMINEN's absence to pick up his first victory of the season and gave his all to resist the two Finns. But in the end, it was the KTM rider who ended up on the highest step of the podium. The battle for the subsequent places was a tough one between Fabien PLANET (FRA - Sherco) and Lorenzo SANTOLINO (ESP - KTM) separated by only a few seconds throughout the day. Eventually, the SHERCO rider manages to pick up the 17 points for the 4th place finishing only a few seconds behind S EISTOLA. Although Julien GAUTHIER (FRA - TM) made a good start, he lost ground throughout the day eventually finishing in sixth place.

In Enduro 2, three riders dominated all day. Ivan CERVANTES (ESP – Gas Gas), Antoine MEO (FRA - HVA) and Pierre-Alexandre RENET (FRA – Husaberg) fought hard in each special. In the lead from the first timed sessions, Ivan CERVANTES had never been so close to offering a first victory to Gas Gas, however unfortunately saw his hopes were dashed in the last special where Antoine MEO slipped ahead. " I was in front all day, confided the GAS GAS rider, but MEO was faster than me in the last special. I am happy for my team, however, we have a new engine and I'm very satisfied with it. " Behind this trio, who offered the Andorran public a fantastic display, Cristobal GUERRERO (ESP - KTM), behind compared with his earlier good results, finishes in 4th place.

A special mention for Sébastien BOZZO (FRA - Kawa), back after his injury and who finishes in the Top 5 of the category, admitting that he " never loods at the times at the end of each special ". Taddy BLAZUSIAK (PL - KTM), accompanied by Cyril DESPRES, who today rode for the first time of the season in E2 didn't take advantage of the Xtreme Test, but finishes nonetheless with a good 6th place.

Mika AHOLA (FIN - HM Honda) and Christophe NAMBOTIN (FRA - Gas Gas) did not leave each others' sides in Enduro 3. Separated by a mere second at the end of the 3rd lap, they offered us a last epic tour. The Frenchman, full of confidence after 4 consecutive successes, is clearly out to take the first place away from the quadruple world champion. But in the last two specials, the Gas Gas rider made too many mistakes and let the 1st place slip away and it is awarded therefore to his great rival, AHOLA and sees at the same time, Joakim LJUNGGREN, who gives another speedy last lap, take the second place from him. The 4th place was uncertain right up to the last special. Sébastien GUILLAUME (FRA - HVA) in good form in Romania, began to lo se ground from the 2nd lap and struggled with Marko TARKKALA (FIN - Husaberg). It is, in the end, the Finn who performed better in the last Enduro Test. It should be noted also that Alex SALVINI (ITA - HVA) with his sixth place, is getting closer and closer to winning the " Rookie of the Year " title.

In the Enduro Junior category, Jérémy JOLY (FRA - HM Honda) struggles to get ahead. His direct opponent, the catalan Mario ROMAN (ESP - KTM) is the one with the upper hand today, leaving his followers 24 seconds behind. Furthermore, the Frenchman only comes 4th place. For the 2nd place, Jonathan MANZI (ITA - KTM) and Mathias BELLINO (FRA - Husaberg) offered us a great battle throughout the day. And eventually, it is the Frenchman who took the lead on the KTM rider. Antti HELLSTEN (FIN - KTM) finishes in the Top 5 and shows that he has fully recovered from the injury to his shoulder. It is to be noted also that Benoit FORTUNATO (FRA - Yam) was unlucky that one of his pistons broke. In the FIM YOuth Cup 125cc, Jonathan MANZI ( ITA - KTM) finishes in first place on the podium, ahead of the splendid Chilian Benjamin HERRERA (CL - KTM) and Luis OLIVEIRA (POR - Yam).

Tomorrow morning from 9 am , Sant Julià and the whole principality of Andorra will assist a great final and may also be witness to the crowning of Antione MEO (FRA - HVA) in Enduro 2. The Andorran and also the Spanish and French public should be even bigger and will not hesitate in encouraging the riders who will put in the most effort possible in order to achieve a favourable position in the final.

Julien Gauthier(TM) in Enduro 1, Sébastien Guillaume (HVA) in Enduro 3 were both victims of this misfortune, whilst Simone Albergoni (HVA) could not relive his performance of the previous day in E2, due to engine failure !

Similar unfortunate event for Pierre-Alexandre Renet (HUSABERG), who withdraws at the end of the first round for the same problems he had encountered yesterday (Fuel pump injection?). Antoine Meo (HVA) finds himself quite alone in the lead of the Enduro 2 category, but was still forced to battle throughout the day with the tough Andalucian, Cristobal Guerrero (KTM) who affirms his presence from race to race and who has turned out to be the best KTM rider overall in this season. After yesterday's setbacks, Ivan Cervantes (Gas Gas) was the only star to cut his losses, despite the precarious "health" of his 250 Gas Gas !

And of course, Johnny Aubert (KTM) did not start this morning, following injuries he incurred yesterday (a light fracture of the vertebral apophysis). A disaster such as this for the favourites meant that the outsiders were able to succeed, such as Antoine Basset (YAM), Jean-François Goblet (YAM), Aigar Leok (TM) or Gonçon Reis (HM HONDA) who all scored some big points in this championship.

But the strongest man of this MAXXIS Grand Prix of Greece is without doubt Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas) who flew past the battles in Enduro 3 during these past 48 hours of race. Serene, determined, focused and physically fit, the Gas Gas representative was impressive in his mastery and has shown himself to be of a level higher than his rivals. Should his withdrawal from the Turkish Grand Prix be forgotten?

"This is the first double that I have achieved in this championship and certainly helps towards forgetting about my disappointment at having had to withdraw in Turkey. My objective now is to try to win as many races as possible and we shall see what will be at the end of the season."

Kurt Caselli (KTM) achieves a fantastic second place in the last timed section and seems to be one of the only riders to have enjoyed this difficult second day. "I am used to these conditions in the USA and also to the heat and today the course seemed easier than yesterday. We modified the suspensions slightly chosen by David Knight at the beginning of the season and I felt better on the bike than yesterday. Of course I am very happy with this result, particularly as it is on a bike that I am only just getting to know and I can't wait to come back for the next Grand Prix in Romania!"

Joakim Ljunggren (HUSABERG) and Mika Ahola (HM HONDA) took part in an entertaining duel for the 3rd place on the podium and for energy (since they were also suffering digestive problems as were Botturi, Cruvalle and many more): the championship leader completes the Podium trio.

In Enduro 1, just like in the previous day, Juha Salminen (HVA) had to work hard to distance himself from his teammate Matti Seistola (HVA) and was only able to do so in the Enduro Test of the 3rd lap. "The Machine" marks a new success and continues to impress with his brio and the smoothness of his riding, which should stand him in good stead to achieve an 8th World title (Record !). Rodrig Thain (HM HONDA) and Eero Remes (KTM) also took part in an impressive battle for third place which will slip through the Finn's fingers with only tenths of a second between them.

A lot of tension in the Juniors, where the unfortunate Anti Hellsten (KTM) woefully remained in the Paddock and witnessed as a spectator the tremendous battle between Joly (HM HONDA), Roman (KTM), Bellino (HUSABERG) et Fortunato (YAM) who end up finishing in that order, led by the young Frenchman by little more than a second after an hour and 10 minutes of timed sections.

But Jérémy Joly, finally a winner this year, will have to remain wary of Mario Roman who is gaining power and has just strung together 3 consecutive victories to the point of now being only 11 points away from the HM HONDA rider who this week became the new leader of the Juniors Championship. As per usual, Jonathan Manzi (KTM) saves the Italian honour by winning the FIM Youth Cup 125cc.

This Turkey / Greece round has managed to therefore destabilise the fragile hierarchy of the championship and has marked an indisputable turning point in the season that sees Salminen, Meo and Ahola as solid leaders in their respective categories…. And yet, these two heat-ridden Grands Prix, remind us that in these sports, nothing can be taken for granted and we will see that the vanquished will, as soon as the MAXXIS GP of Romania takes place, will return to the race seeking success and revenge.

The next meet on the 9th and 10th of July in Buzau, North East of Bucharest is already on their minds.

Mika Ahola (FIN-HM HONDA) starts badly today, but throughout the day makes up time and ends up delivering an amazing  come back.  But the championship leader had to fight hard with Kurt Caselli (USA-KTM) remarkable throughout on his 500 EXC, who, without doubt brings a breath of fresh air and spontaneity to the championship and for example, he takes the opportunity to drink a swift half  during the time check in the last lap !  Unfortunately, he loses a few precious seconds in the last Enduro test and reaches the last step of the podium, when he previously looked set to reach second place….

And it is the wondrous Joakim Ljunggren (SWE-HUSABERG), behind for much of the day who goes on to snatch the second place thanks to a meteoric 3rd lap. "I rode really well in the Extreme and in the Cross test of the last lap and this second place position is really unexpected for me !"
 
Alex Salvini (ITA-HVA) was the other star of this superb battle in Enduro 3 and proves that he is now a true Enduro rider in just half a season and is worth more than his 5th place of the day.

Huge developments in Enduro 2 where the Husaberg representative Pierre Alexandre Renet (FRA), who dominated for the whole day, before falling prey to a huge disappointment in the last lap.  "My bike started to lose power in the Extreme and then the problem intensified in the Cross test and the Enduro Test and I wasn't even able to climb the hills.  I am really disappointed…"  Johnny Aubert (FRA-KTM) was on the heels of "PELA" before he also made a mistake in the Cross test of the fourth lap.  Getting up feeling groggy, the KTM representative goes on to faint a short while later and is therefore unable to reach the finishing line.
 
Another dramatic turn of events sees Ivan Cervantes (ESP-GAS GAS) withdrawing from the race, betrayed by the engine of his GAS GAS at the end of the 2nd lap… "my bike hadn't worked well since this morning " said the catalan in the paddock " but I am going to be able to start again tomorrow and I am going to give my all to get this victory". 

Once again, distanced in the first lap by Renet and Aubert, Antoine Meo (FRA - HVA) couldn't have asked for a better outcome and therefore achieves an unexpected victory. " I think that may well be the luckiest win of my career ! "  And apart from the win in itself, Antoine Meo succeeds in making good progress in this championship  since Aubert, Cervantes and Renet today scored no points…

Anti Hellsten (FIN-KTM) the promising young Finn could have saved the honour of the " orange team " as he has been ever dominant in the Enduro Junior from the beginning of the season… Jaded, he made a mistake in the Super Test last night, leading to a heavy fall.  He got away without a serious injury, but in a lot of pain with a weakened shoulder, and Anti Hellsten was in no fit state to start the race this morning and will have to wait for the GP MAXXIS of Romania to make his return to the Championship.  Bad news for the blond Scandinavian and a blessing for Roman (ESP-KTM), Joly (FRA-HM HONDA), Manzi (ITA-KTM), Dumontier (FRA-YAM), who are all back in the race for the title once again.
 
The barometer should once again climb tomorrow for the 2nd day of the MAXXIS Grand Prix of Greece, where the Gods of Enduro will look fondly upon the participants of this GP who get ready to deliver a brand new and arduous battle in the furnace of Kalampaka.