Back on the second round of the Maxxis FIM SuperEnduro World Championship of last weekend in Germany held in front of a “sold out” arena!
Complete!
It was a long time that Germany hadn’t hosted a round of SuperEnduro! Most recently was during the first edition of the SuperEnduro World Championship in 2008... The passionate and enthusiastic German motorcycle fans were really waiting this event! As proof, the arena was "sold out" a few days before the date. A success in a country that is very fond of such events and may well be entitled to a second edition next season!
European Eve
With the German Grand Prix only two days after New Year’s Eve, the US riders’ contingent had decided to celebrate it in the city of Dresden. Cody WEBB (KTM), Kyle REDMOND (Beta), Taylor ROBERT (KTM) and Ty TREMAINE (KTM) were therefore given an appointment in the city of East Germany to celebrate the new year together.
LETTI is still making some noise...
The young Manuel LETTENBICHLER (D - KTM) was the revelation of the Grand Prix of Poland. Youngest rider in the Junior category, the son of Andreas, had failed to clinch the podium for only 5 points for his first participation in SEWC. This weekend, facing his public, the young "Mani" made a serious Grand Prix (3/3/4) and climbs on the third step of the podium. With this excellent result and the disappointed ones of Jack ROWLAND (GB - Sherco), the young German also captured third place in the overall with 10 points ahead of Gethin HUMPHREYS (GB - HVA), his nearest rival.
A beautiful mess!
It would be an understatement to say that the Matrix of this German Grand Prix offered a great show to the spectators and cold sweats to riders. And the victims of this section have been mainly the Juniors. Indeed, many have fallen into it, even creating a traffic jam where Andreas LINUSSON (S - KTM) was stuck in the middle. The proof is with this beautiful shot of our photographer Robert LYNN!
Curse?
Jane DANIELS (GB - HVA) has started the season 2015 as she finished 2014... Remember, after having dominated the final round, the young Brit lost the title because of a fall in the penultimate lap. And it happened again this weekend in the SachsenArena in Riesa. Not for the title but for a race win. Indeed, the Husqvarna rider clearly dominated the second Women heat before crashing on the last lap, losing valuable time. And it was again Emma BRISTOW (GB - Sherco) who profited best and grabbed a double win. Sandra GOMEZ (E - HVA), too, blew her the second place... With so much bad luck, we can ask if DANIELS is not the victim of a curse...
The misfortune of one...
This was supposed to be the return of Kornel NEMETH (H - KTM) on the World SuperEnduro scene. The Hungarian, highly motivated, realized the seventh time in qualifying and thus earned the right to play the Super Pole powered by Akrapovic. Unfortunately, at this qualifying round, "Kori" crashed into the Matrix and injured his elbow. The Hungarian giant clenched teeth during the Super Pole where he made the 6th fastest time and took the start of the first round... but the pain was too much, and after some laps, he resigned himself to give up...
... Is the happiness of others!
... A nice opportunity for Aurélien ADDESSO (F - Kawasaki) who finished second in the Last Chance Race, and thus was the first non-qualified. Replacing NEMETH after he gave up, the French had time to score 5 points (13/14) in two heats. Allowing to let the place of Red Lantern of the Championship to Edward HUBNER (D - KTM) and especially back 6 points behind Giacomo REDONDI (I - Beta) definitely in trouble since the beginning of the season!
South African connection
On the occasion of the Grand Prix of Germany, two young South Africans had joined the caravan of SuperEnduro. In addition to Wade YOUNG (KTM), youngest winner of the Roof of Africa, Blake GUTZEIT (HVA) had also made the trip to the land of beer. And it is the lesser known of the two who best shot out of the game with a 5th place finish. GUTZEIT had even paid the luxury to snatch the 15 points of the third in the last race. YOUNG, which probably has the evening's most crash record, for his part, completed the Grand Prix at the 8th position. After a disqualification in the first race, the KTM rider was still well caught up in the other two heats (4/5). These two young guns have the potential and could carry high the colors of their native South Africa throughout the season!
Holeshot 100%
For the second edition of the Holeshot 100%, elbows were again rubbed to the delight of the 6,000 spectators. The first corner concocted by the Club Motorsportverein Riesa was, as in Poland, one such model. In this game there it was this time Taddy BLAZUSIAK (PL - KTM) who came out victorious after the three heats. He won the 300 USD promised to the winner in Prestige. In Junior, Andreas LINUSSON pocketed the 200 USD check for taking the lead in the first and final round.
SuperPoleman!
Jonny WALKER (GB - KTM) is the holder of a sympathetic record since last weekend. Indeed, Britain has the longest winning streak in Super Pole powered Akrapovic. It began in Mexico Grand Prix last season with subsequent two victories in Barcelona (Spain) and Tours (France). Then he started the season with two new Super Pole in his luggage in Gdansk (Poland) and of course in Riesa. The last winner of the Erbzerg Rodeo is also the one that has the most Super Pole since its creation...