Just one day before the opening round of the 2014 EWC, let’s go for the very first paddock news of the season...
Cosmopolitan
Once again, the Maxxis FIM Enduro World Championship gathers countries and nations during the Grand Prix AMV Seguros de Cataluña. No less than 17 nations will be represented during this opening round of the Series. Besides the usual French, Spanish, Italian or Swedish and Finnish, we’ll have Brazilians, South Africans, a Chilean (Benjamin HERRERA), a Colombian (Vannia Paola DURAN) or Dutch... An exoticism good for the EWC paddock!
OLIVEIRA
During the offseason, we learned that Luis OLIVEIRA (P) flew to Brazil to participate in the Brazilian Enduro Championship and then it was no more question of EWC. But finally, the fast Portuguese will participate to the World Championship, or at least to the Spain-Portugal tour, aboard his new Honda of the Felipe ZANOL team...
Brasileiro
In addition to continuing the adventure on the EWC, Luis OLIVEIRA brought in his luggage, with the great help of the Confederação Brasileira de Motociclismo (CBM), and its representative Mauricio Paiva BRANDAO, few riders to test themselves against the cream of the World Enduro. Indeed, no less than three of them crossed the Atlantic Ocean during this Iberian tour. Among them, Romulo BOTTREL (Beta) who had distinguished himself during the SuperEnduro round in Belo Horizonte and who will race in the very tough E3 category. He is joined by Jean Pierre BUTTAZZI JUNIOR NASCIMENTO (Beta) while the young Vitor Borges GARCIA (Beta) will rub the top Juniors.
Supervisor
Finnish young talents are rare compared to the golden era of SALMINEN, ARO, TIAINEN, SILVAN and others. But when one of them stands out, Suomen Moottoriliitto ry (SML) now makes every effort to bring the highest level. This is what they decided to do with the talented Aleksi JUKOLA (SF - Beta) and legend Petteri SILVAN was mandated to supervise him in Spain and Portugal... "Very fast but crashing too much..." According to the word of the five-time World Champion, the young Beta racer has now all the hopes of a nation on his shoulders...
Infirmary
The World season has not even started already that some riders join already the infirmary. Indeed, the Swedish Jessica JONSSON (Kawasaki), who was making a comeback after a year's of absence, was injured in a big crash at the European Championship last weekend and his participation in the opening round of the Championship is questioned... Alex SALVINI (I - Honda) is still recovering from his broken thumb since three weeks and Mathias BELLINO (FRA - HVA) suffers once again from his wrist; but these two riders will be well represented among the banners during this weekend...
Orange Army
For this Grand Prix AMV Seguros de Cataluña, a true orange army arrives. Indeed, five racers from the Netherlands will make the trip to Solsona to test themselves on the EWC and follow the footsteps of Hans VOGELS now turned to the Rally-Raid. Thierry PITTENS (HVA), Lucas DOLFING (TM), Bas KLEIN HANEVELD (KTM) will compete in E1, Robin NIJKAMP (KTM) will fill the ranks of the E2 and finally Wesley PITTENS (HVA) will rub riders of the Enduro 3 category. A real test for a nation not well-represented in the paddocks of the EWC.
BARRAGAN
After a promising start in the first round of the Spanish Championship in Antas last week (3rd on the second day), Jonathan BARRAGAN (E - HVA) will make his debut this weekend on the EWC in Solsona. Former MXGP rider, the Spanish discovered the discipline this season and his results in Catalonia will be closely monitored by Husqvarna. Indeed, BARRAGAN could continue his adventure on the World Series if the results are satisfying in Enduro 2... In addition, he should attract even more spectators on the special tests due to his great reputation in his country.
Pleasant Comeback
After a deceiving 2012 season with Gas Gas, Gonçalo Reis (P - KTM) had only participated to the Grand Prix of Portugal in 2013. This year, we’ll see the friendly Portuguese during the Iberian tour and perhaps the remainder of the Championship if the results follow. He will team up with former Portuguese SX star Joaquim RODRIGUES (P - KTM) in his own team...
Opening ceremony
This season, ABC Communication, in partnership with the FIM and Bassella Experiences, decided to organize an opening ceremony today at the "Sala Polivalente" in Solsona. The teams, managers, riders, officials and the medias are invited from 19:30 for a presentation of the 2014 season around a dinner...
Communication Enduro - www.enduro-abc.com