Mika Ahola “Brave One” Trophy

Marika AHOLA, the widow of five-time Enduro World Champion Mika Ahola, travelled to South America for the opening rounds of the 2012 EWC series – the GP of Chile and GP of Argentina – and saw first hand the intense duel for supremacy in the Mika Ahola “Brave One” Trophy.

As a reminder to those unfamiliar with the new Trophy, the Mika Ahola “Brave One” Trophy is dedicated to the Finnish champion who tragically left us at the beginning of the year. It is contested by EWC riders in all classes, but only on the enduro test.

On the very technical and challenging enduro special test in Talca, Chile the stars of the EWC established a first hierarchy.

The official Gas Gas rider Ivan CERVANTES (E) is the first leader of this trophy, thanks to his speed, consistency and winning ways in Argentina. But Antoine MEO (winner on day one in Chile), Christophe NAMBOTIN (F) winner in Talca on Sunday, David KNIGHT (GB), Pierre-Alexandre RENET (F), Simone ALBERGONI (I), Juha SALMINEN (SF) are also in the race…

Oscar BALLETTI (I) ex-teammate of Mika AHOLA, the Junior Victor GUERRERO (E) and also Lorenzo SANTOLINO (E) have also shone in the enduro special test – a place where Mika AHOLA, thanks to his courage and talent, knew how to grab the tenths of seconds often needed to secure victory.

All those riders will meet again on the 5th and 6th of May in Munitibar (Spain) and the 12th and 13th of May in Torres Vedras (Portugal) for the Mika Ahola “Brave One” Trophy, where they will again battle it out in memory of the great champion.

Standing: 1. Ivan CERVANTES (E) 62pts ; 2. Antoine MEO (F) 53pts ; 3. Christophe NAMBOTIN (F) 47pts ; 4. David KNIGHT (GB) 41pts ; 5. Pierre-Alexandre RENET (F) 33pts ; 6. Simone ALBERGONI (I) 33pts ; 7. Juha SALMINEN (SF) 31pts ; 8. Oscar BALLETTI (I) 28pts ; 9. Victor GUERRERO (E) 25pts ; 10. Lorenzo SANTOLINO (E) 24pts.