Bem-vindo a Torres Vedras !

After a 950 kilometers trip between Spain and Portugal, everybody’s finally in Torres Vedras in the North-East of Lisbon for the fourth Grand Prix of the season. While the riders are on the special tests and the mechanics are preparing the bike, it’s time for us to take a look to the news of the paddock…

Success
The Moto Club Nogalte and ABC Communication were really proud about the importance of supporters that went on the three special tests of the weekend and in the paddock. Alain BLANCHARD has also said that “it was a new record for a Grand Prix that took place in Spain”. That can reassure the FIM and ABC Com on the still growing popularity of the EWC…

Chilean Army
It is for a month and a half that the EWC has left Chile but, sometimes, the paddock looks like South America… Indeed, five Chilean riders went to try the adventure during this Spain-Portugal tour. Besides Diego ROJAS (Gas Gas) and Esteban LANZ (Gas Gas) that ride for the Gas Gas Factory Pons team for the entire season, the HERRERA brothers, Benjamin and Diego, are also present with title hopes for Benjamin. Finally, the sympathetic Javier GARATE (KTM) tried his lucky for the first time in Europe and will maybe continue the story during the Romania-Greece tour.

Surprising visit
While his wife Rosa ROMERO (E – KTM) was participating to the Grand Prix last weekend in Puerto Lumbreras, the star Nani ROMA has visited the EWC. Friends with some riders as Johnny AUBERT (F – KTM), he said he “was really happy once again of the spectacle during all the weekend.” It was also a good way for him to check again his popularity rating with the motorbike fans…
 
Commercial zone
Like during each Grand Prix, a commercial zone will take place in the center of the Paddock of Torres Vedras. The public will have the opportunity to find during the entire weekend stand like City hall, some wineries like Adega Mae but also official Championship exponent as KTM-Husaberg, Cross Pro or also AQD Graphics…

GOBLET is back
After he missed the South American tour (economic difficulties) and then the Grand Prix of Spain due to a knee surgery, the Belgium Jean-François GOBLET will race in Torres Vedras on the handlebar of the Gas Gas 300cc 4T. He joins his compatriot Cedric CREMER (KTM) who was already present in Puerto Lumbreras with a remarked 13th place on Sunday in E2.

Miss Enduro 2012
The Portuguese Claudia, Miss Enduro 2012, will be present for the starts and the podiums of this Grand Prix Cross Pro of Portugal. Accompanied of two wonderful miss, she will make many followers in the paddock during the weekend.

Misadventure
While they were on the way to Portugal, the Rigo Moto truck broke down. With the impossibility to repair it before next week, the team had to rent a van in order to go to Torres Vedras where Maurizio MICHELUZ (I – Suzuki) and Andrea MANARIN (I – Suzuki) will race.

A South African can hide another
While Toni JARDINE (ZAF – KTM) start the season in Spain and is also here in Portugal, her compatriot Nicholas PIENAAR (Beta) has joined her for this Grand Prix in Torres Vedras. It’s not the first time that this South African is coming in the EWC. Indeed, PIENAAR raced during the Grand Prix of France in Mende in 2011 with the Beta Boano team. This year, he is still a part of the Beta Boano team and will fight with the best Junior riders.
 
Portugal Power
Smiling face of the EWC during many seasons, Gonçalo REIS (P – KTM) disappeared from the Paddock due to economic problems… But the Portuguese is making his return on the Maxxis FIM Enduro World Championship during this Grand Prix Cross Pro of Portugal. On the handlebar of a 250 KTM EXC-F, Gonçalo will look for a Top 10 in E1. Other Portuguese back in the EWC, the Rallyman Helder RODRIGUES that never missing the time to come back on a Grand Prix each year or how to tribute to a discipline that revealed him.

Snake killer
To walk the test, is not so easy for the riders. Indeed, riders have to walk many kilometers and sometimes, they are facing unexpected things. Yesterday, Pierre-Alexandre RENET (F – Husaberg) faced to a nice snake in the Enduro Test… “After a big fight with this cobra…” explain Pela with humor on his Twitter “… I finally killed it!” Decidedly, after the snake found in the boxes and this one, it seems that those reptile like Enduro…

Knighter
David KNIGHT (GB – Honda) went back on Sunday to England to pass exams after his injury on Saturday. The exams said there is nothing wrong, so the Manx has decided to take another flight to Lisbon to be present this weekend. No doubt that the Honda rider will be a big threat for the four leaders of the competition even diminished.

Portuguese show
Before and after the KTM Super Test that will take place tomorrow at 19.30, the Portuguese spectators will have the opportunity to watch the stunt show of stunt rider Humberto RIBEIRO. The Husqvarna rider will not hesitate to make the show to give more taste to this Grand Prix.