Five years have now passed since the Maxxis FIM Enduro World Championship welcomed a women’s class. This season, the world’s elite female enduro riders will get the opportunity to race four of the series’ eight Grand Prix. Starting in Spain, then heading to Finland, Sweden and finishing in France at the championship’s final event, the women enduro riders, who have shown themselves to be every bit as courageous as the men, will participate in an intense and furious season.
The Enduro Women championship kicks off on April 5th and 6th in Solsona (Cataluña). So, with only one week to go before the Grand Prix, it is time for us to take a closer look at the class…
The favourite
- Laïa SANZ (E – Honda): With a second World title in 2013, we’re wondering who will stop the Honda rider in his quest to a third title in a row… After a 2013 year full of competition (Dakar, Trial and Enduro World Championship and now X-Games) the Spanish wants to stop the trial and to be 100% concentrate on the EWC to avoid the injuries that can stop her in her way to the title… No doubt, Laïa is the rider to beat in 2014!
The outsiders
- Jane DANIELS (GB – HVA): 2013 Vice-Champion, the young Brit still has a big room of improvement. She has just finished second of the SuperEnduro Women Cup. With only 19 years old, the HVA rider could fight with Laïa this season, like during the 2013 Final in St Flour (France)…
- Jessica GARDINER (AUS – Sherco): Brilliant third last season, the Australian is never stopping to progress and to astonish everybody. Training regularly with her companion Mathias BELLINO, the Sherco rider must be the most redoubtable rival of Laïa SANZ!
- Juliette BERREZ (F – Yamaha): Best French rider on the World Series in 2013 (4th), BERREZ is back this season on the handlebar of her Yamaha, but this time in his own structure. Many responsibilities for the French Vice-Champion who will have to find the good recipe between her numerous hats.
- Geraldine FOURNEL (F – Sherco): The 2013 French Champion continues her improvement and is getting closer and closer from a final podium in the World Championship. The nice blond, who has joined the Sherco Academy this season, has a strong character and an iron will...
- Jemma WILSON (AUS – Yamaha): After a season without any injuries, the Australian has made an encouraging year. Just like her compatriot GARDINER, “Jemm” is young (25 years old) and her room of improvement is important. A serious client for the podium…
- Jessica JONSSON (S – Kawasaki): After a sabbatical year, the Swedes is back on the EWC and wants to take back her place between the five best riders in the World… But the opposition is bigger than before since last year and the Kawasaki rider will have to give everything to achieve her goals!
We can’t forget them…
- Samantha TICHET (F – KTM): The French is back on the World Series after one year out and wants to show that she represents the future of the French Women Enduro.
- Marion GIMBERT (F – TM) is also back on the EWC (after three years) and can make some noise from the first round…
- Toni JARDINE (ZAF – KTM) will participate to her third EWC season and she will give a bit more of exoticism to this Women class.
- The Scandinavian Amanda ELVIN (S – HVA) and Marita NYQVIST (SF – Yamaha) which are arriving and could change the face of the class, moreover during their National rounds.
But the main question is which of those talented women can stop Laïa SANZ in her quest for a third world title? Author of an intense duel with “Lulu” two years ago, the 13 times Trial World Champion has dominate the 2013 season and can aim for a perfect season but undoubtedly DANIELS and GARDINER will not let him reach his goal so easily and BERREZ, WILSON, FOURNEL, GIMBERT, JONSSON... could shuffle the cards in a category that bring freshness and charm to the EWC. See you on Friday, April 4th in the evening in Solona (Cataluña) for some answers!
Communication Women Enduro - www.enduro-abc.com