Mika Ahola “Brave One” Trophy: Nambot’ soars!

For many the Mika Ahola “Brave One” Trophy is fast becoming a must-win title in 2012. Many riders have already expressed their desire to become the first rider to win the title in Mika’s honour.

Double World champion Antoine MEO (F – KTM) confessed, “For me, winning this title is one of my main goals. Mika was a real friend and I really respected him when we raced together.”

Three of AHOLA’s Allies Brave The Top Five

Unfortunately for Antoine MEO, his mechanical DNF in Portugal has proved costly pushing him back to third in the standings, allowing his teammate Christophe NAMBOTIN (F) to sneak through into the lead.

After his dominating performance on the Enduro Test during the GP of Euskadi, Nambotin placed second at the GP of Portugal to etch out a 19-point lead in the standings over his fellow countryman Pierre-Alexandre RENET (Husaberg). As a rider very much on form at the moment, NAMBOTIN would love nothing more than to place his name on the “Brave One” trophy to honour his rival, with whom he battled so fiercely with last year.

But with RENET gaining ground on him at the GP of Portugal, the Husaberg rider won’t intend on making it easy for the Frenchman.

With four more rounds of the championship to contest, Johnny AUBERT (F – KTM) and Ivan CERVANTES (Gas Gas) will be chasing hard to close the gap to leading trio. Sitting tied on points for sixth Cristobal GUERRERO (E – KTM) and Juha SALMINEN (SF – HVA) will also be hoping for a winning result as the series heads towards Italy and Scandinavia.

As round five of the championship heads to the GP Scorpion Exo of Italy in Castiglion Fiorentino on June 30/ July 1, riders will face a tough and challenging enduro test. Located high in the Tuscany Medium Mountains that was once the playground of Fabrizio MEONI, another great champion to have passed, the race is sure to be intense as riders’ continue to battle to become the first winner of the Mika Ahola “Brave One” Trophy.

Provisional Standings: 1. Christophe NAMBOTIN (F) 115pts ; 2. Pierre-Alexandre RENET (F) 96pts ; 3. Antoine MEO (F) 83pts ; 4. Johnny AUBERT (F) 74pts ; 5. Ivan CERVANTES (E) 68pts ; 6. Cristobal GUERRERO (E) 60pts ; 7. Juha SALMINEN (SF) 60pts ; 8. Alex SALVINI (I) 58pts ; 9. David KNIGHT (GB) 52pts ; 10. Simone ALBERGONI (I) 42pts.