Husaberg enjoy podium results from Ljunggren, Renet, Roman, McCanney and Daniels at GP of Spain
Europe’s first Enduro World Championship event of 2013 proves tough for all but ends well for Husaberg’s Factory Racing Team
Described by many riders as the hardest Enduro World Championship event for several years, the GP of Spain challenged all of the Husaberg Factory Racing Team’s riders yet ended with strong performances from Pela Renet, Joakim Ljunggren, Jamie McCanney and Mathias Bellino.
Finding out first hand just how unforgiving the Spanish terrain could be Husaberg’s defending Enduro 2 World Champion Pela Renet saw a mistake on day one end his hopes of a class win. Battling for the top spot in the E2 category, Renet was forced to make a second attempt at a highly challenging hill on the extreme test on the final lap and in doing so lost valuable time. Ending the day an eventual fourth, Renet managed to secure a podium result on day two with third place.
“I was feeling good on the first day, but I made one mistake and that cost me a lot of time,” explained Pela. “I fell on the extreme test, on the big uphill, and that kept me off the podium. I felt good before the mistake and was riding well, but it was a big mistake. The line I took wasn’t the best, I lost all of my speed, and didn't get to the top of the hill. I was lucky not to damage my bike when I fell, so I have to be happy about that. It was disappointing, but it can happen.
“I pushed hard throughout the second day and was battling with Alex Salvini,” continued Renet. “Ivan Cervantes was a little faster than us, but this is his home race so I was expecting him to be strong. I ended the day third and very pleased the race was finished.”
For Joakim Ljunggren hopes of an Enduro 3 class win failed to materialise as he, like many, struggled to master the dry, slippery terrain. Improving his speed throughout the opening day Joakim matched Renet’s E2 class result of fourth before improving two places to finish as runner-up on day two.
“I really wanted to do well here is Spain as I’ve been living and racing here for a while, but the conditions were so different to the rest of the country,” explained Ljunggren. “It was so dusty and slippery - I found it difficult. It took me a while to find my rhythm, but towards the end of the first day I was getting better and better. I managed to win the last test and secured fourth. I felt much stronger on day two and although Christophe Nambotin was a little faster than the rest of us I had a good day and finished second.”
Dominating the Enduro Youth class to claim a double victory, Jamie McCanney delivered Husaberg’s best result aboard his TE 125. Carrying the good form he showed in Chile and Argentina into the Spanish race, despite finding the event hard, Jamie extended his EY championship lead to 19 points.
“It’s been a really good weekend for me, and great to get a double class win,” commented Jamie. “I managed to open up a good lead on day one and even with a big mistake I was able to hold on for victory. The conditions were tough, especially on a 125, but everything worked out well. Day two was really hard, I wasn’t sure I'd be able to do two more laps mid-way through the day but I just kept pushing and thankfully got another win.”
The GP of Spain marked the return to EWC competition for Mathias Bellino – the reigning Enduro Junior World Champion. Forced to miss the opening two rounds of the series due to his recovery from wrist surgery, Bellino overcame a disappointing opening day in Puerto Lumbreras to secure a hard fought fourth on day two.
“It’s been a really hard event for me,” admitted the Frenchman. “Not only was it a very tough event, probably one of the hardest enduros I have ever done, but it was also my first EWC race after wrist surgery. The first day was hard. I crashed a lot, lost a lot of energy, and although things were ok at the end of the first lap I finished the day 10th. It was just a hard day for me. The second day was much better. I made less mistakes, felt much better, and managed to finish fourth. I am really pleased with that. I still have a long way to go before I return to my normal level, but this is a good start.”
Pela Renet’s Enduro 2 class team-mate Oriol Mena secured two fifth place finishes in the ultra-competitive Enduro 2 class, ending his home round of the series pleased with his performances. “I finished fifth on both days, and I’m pleased with that. The four riders ahead of me are very, very fast, but I tried my best and I’m pleased with my results. It’s been a tough race – the special tests were all really difficult – but for me trying to stay with the riders in front was my focus. I will keep pushing hard, trying to be faster, but as far as my home race is concerned I’m really pleased.”
Frustratingly for Enduro 1 class rider Thomas Oldrati the GP of Spain didn't go well. Hopeful of challenging for podium results, the Italian found himself unable to master the loose Spanish terrain and he placed seventh and ninth. “It’s not been a good event for me,” said Thomas. “I didn't make any big mistakes, or have any big crashes, but I just wasn't able to ride like I can. The terrain was so hard to understand, and to feel confident was really difficult. I just didn't have the feeling with the special tests that I needed to. I tried many things to improve but nothing seemed to work. It was a hard race, I liked that, but not a good one for me.”
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