All content © Bob MuIIins

The opening round of the Italian Enduro Championship took place this weekend at Lignano Sabbiadoro (UD) south of Pisa - organized by Moto Club Sabbiadoro. The race starts at 10.00am on Saturday February 13th with 2 special stages for the 150+ riders over 4 laps. Test one was 8 km beach race carved into the sand of Lignano beach. Test 2 was over the logs and rocks at Luna Park. 

The entry list included Steve Holcombe on the Factory Beta and Jamie Mccanney representing the Miglio Team alongside Mikael Persson - the 2015 EWC Youth Cup 125 2t Champion, Eero Remes, Motocrosser Nathan Watson - supported by the Farioli Team, and Pascal Rauchenecker with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Team; Johnny Aubert riding the Beta 300 2t, and Matthew Phillips on a Sherco 450 4t. Among the Italians was Alex Salvini debuting on the Beta and motocrosser Davide Guarneri with Honda Redmoto,

Johnny Aubert took an early lead at Luna Park from Simone Albergoni. Steve Holcombe was 3rd and Nathan Watson was 7th. It was all change on the second test with Davide Guarneri setting the fastest time in the sand on the beach at Lignano ahead of Matthew Phillips and Manuel Monni. Jonny Aubert held on to first but Steve Holcombe dropped down to 10th. Back on the rocks at Luna Park it was Aubert and back on the beach it was Guarneri. Then on his 5th test disaster struck Jonny Aubert and he dropped of the leader board. Steve Holcombe kept up a good pace and steadily climbed the standings.

After 8 tests Davide Guarneri led provisionally from Nathan Watson, Matthew Phillips was 3rd, Manuel Monni was 4th and Steve Holcombe was 5th.

The first day ended with the night race. Manuel Monni was the quickest ahead of Jonny Aubert and Giacomo Redondi. Pascal Rauchenecker was 4th and Nathan Watson was 5th which was sufficient for Wtason to take the first day.

Heavy rain curtained Sunday's race but not before Nathan Watson clinched the double.

Results Day 1 Day 2