Italy edged closer to victory in this year’s FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy (EVT) by winning the FIM Vintage Veterans Trophy Team classification on day three in Camerino, Italy. They extend their lead to two-hundred-and-eighty points over France in second, with the Czech Republic in close contention in third.
Kicking off the second half of the FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy, day three bought competitors south of host town Camerino. A new seventy-kilometre course, with fresh special tests, awaited the four-hundred-and-thirty riders.
Italy strengthen FIM Vintage Veterans Trophy Team lead
After taking control of the FIM Vintage Veterans Trophy Team lead on day two, defending champions Italy looked to strengthen their position today. However, it was France who got the early jump on everyone and led at the end of the first special test. Germany and Switzerland held second and third, with Italy back in fourth as the United States completed the top five.
But Italy quickly bounced back and took control of proceedings at the end of the second special test. For the remainder of the day, they continued to grow their advantage, eventually claiming the day three win by over one hundred points.
“We started with some difficulties today,” told Enrico Tortoli (KTM). “I fell on a downhill in the enduro test and broke the silencer. It was a nervous time for me, but I managed to repair that and keep going. At the same time, Uwe Weber in Team Germany, our closest rivals, broke an engine which put them out of the competition, so you never know how it goes in vintage enduro.
“Hopefully, tomorrow we can do a good job on the final special test. We have a good lead, so I think the plan will be to take it steady and make sure we get the victory again!”
After starting day three in second, Germany saw their chances of victory end when Uwe Weber (MZ) suffered an engine failure. This allowed France to move up from third to second, with Czech Republic enjoying a strong ride today to take third overall. Portugal ended their day in fourth overall as the United Kingdom complete the top five.
The FIM Vintage Silver Vase Team category saw numerous position changes on day three. Italy still lock out the top placings, but it’s now Pantera 1 who lead. But, with MC Manzano 3 only seven points behind them in second, the battle for victory will go down to the wire in tomorrow’s final special test. GC Sorci Verdi B hold a slender fifteen-point lead over Gilera Arcore Team Bergna in the fight for third.
With day three complete, Italy edge closer to completing the FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy as the first-ever FIM Vintage Women’s Club Team.
Day three win for Peterhansel
Day three saw France’s Stéphane Peterhansel (Yamaha) claim the unofficial outright classification for the second day running. The Dakar Rally legend was enjoying the Italian special tests and set two of the day’s fastest times.
The United States’ Fred Hoess (Husqvarna) also fared well in the new terrain, finishing just fifteen seconds behind Peterhansel in second. Giorgio Grasso (Kramer) recovered well from a slow start on the opening enduro test to end his day in third.
The FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy concludes with day four’s final special test at the San Pacifico International Crossodrome in San Severino Marche, 7 September.
The FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy continues to take place over the coming days in Camerino, Italy ending on 7 September.
For event information and live results stay tuned to https://www.camerinomotoclub.com/ as well as to the event’s official Instagram account @fim_enduro_vintage for daily event story content. Sportity Channel Password FIMEVT.