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Enduro GP of Spain
Paddock talk
With four Grand Prix in just six weeks the period of late June and early
July is very trying for EnduroGP and its stars! And this latest GP AMV
Seguros of Euskadi has once again been a tough and tiring weekend for the
riders. This latest GP, and subsequent shake-up of the standings, clearly
marks a turning point in the season.
Great Organisation, Once Again
This season, the candidates for the honorary title of "Best
Organization of the Year" are numerous! After the sixth race weekend,
the Moto Club Aiala just joined the HEMK (Finland) and MS Göta (Sweden) in
the running for the year's best organization. Although the paddock was very
small and slightly 'fragmented' in Gordexola, Imanol TARRAMONA and his team
did a great job to ensure the "Enduro Village" was lively and
welcoming from morning to night. Throw in three beautiful special tests,
which were in keeping with the spirit of the Moto Club Aiala (Gordexola), we
experienced yet another excellent Grand Prix held in a festive atmosphere
and attended by 15,000 spectators.
Constructors' Race
It's time to take a look at the constructors' standings. Whilst the Sherco
rider Matthew PHILLIPS (AUS) dominates the EnduroGP category it is actually
Beta (193pts) who is leading the constructors... with their three riders all
running at the top of their game (HOLCOMBE, AUBERT, SALVINI), the Italian
firm has amassed a great points haul and they are now 12 points ahead of
Sherco (181pts) who only have one representative at the top level: PHILLIPS.
In third place we find TM (MONNI, REMES) with 175pts. KTM (161pts) and
Husqvarna (147pts), currently sit in 4th and 5th respectively, trying their
best to close down on the Top 3. Yamaha, led by Loïc LARRIEU (F), have 117
points in 6th position...
Press Conference
Clearly, M.C. Aiala was keen to put on a big show for this GP AMV Seguros
Spanish round. Indeed, the club held a press conference on Thursday
afternoon outside the world-famous Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. The
conference brought together media personnel, including the Basque TV channel
(ETB), and a radio station was broadcasting the event live. Club boss Imanol
TARRAMONA and the mayors of Zalla, Gordexola and Guenes (the host towns of
each special test) got together with Spanish stars Ivan CERVANTES (KTM) and
Laia SANZ (KTM), as well as Yamaha team manager and former rider Marc
BOURGEOIS (F), Basque rally rider Txomin ARANA, and Bastien BLANCHARD
representing ABC Communication. A wonderful introduction to the event, which
has made a big impression on this part of the Basque Country. It's a shame
some riders, such as Eero REMES, fail to value the role of the press and
media in these events, preferring to refuse attendance to such occasions.
EDMONDSON Flying
With the rule of X-4 - where the four worst results are deleted for the
youngest riders in the series, the FIM Youth Cup 125cc has taken a new
exciting turn in 2016... Jack EDMONDSON (GB - KTM), who has been unbeaten
since Finland has taken over the lead of the championship with 157 points,
ahead of Jean-Baptiste NICOLOT (F - Yamaha) on 133pts, and Erik APPELQVIST
(S - Yamaha), 126pts. APPELQVIST unfortunately, will now have to sit out
some races with a broken arm. But after an unlucky Sweden and Spain, NICOLOT
still has a slim chance to get the better of EDMONDSON. In order to do this,
the Frenchman will have to create the perfect end to the season, and hope
that the Brit makes some mistakes.
REMES and HOLCOMBE, Rotten Luck
While he was in a position to take valuable points over Matthew PHILLIPS on
Sunday in EnduroGP, Eero REMES (SF - TM) saw his bike give up in the very
last test of the weekend. An engine failure that had a huge impact on the
standings of both the EnduroGP championship and the E1 championship. Indeed,
the reigning E1 champion now finds himself 28 points behind PHILLIPS in
EnduroGP, while Nathan WATSON (GB - KTM) closes right up on him (now just 5
points behind REMES) in E1. With the problems of Steve HOLCOMBE on Saturday
(broken gear selector), PHILLIPS was the only one of the top three who
managed to score points on every day… could this be the Aussie's year?
Passion
Apart from the usual hoards in France and Italy, it is long time since we
have seen an Enduro with such supportive and numerous fans. Some interesting
'spectacular points' around the lap and a couple of tight Time Controls gave
some intensity to an already great GP, meaning the excitement was not
restricted to the special tests alone. Eager to preserve their reputation
after ten years of organizing Extreme races, the Moto Club Aiala put
together a harsh and challenging route, surrounded by beautiful scenery,
which proved very popular with spectators and the media alike.
Visit
It is not only in Finland and Sweden where legends of our sport can be
spotted... in Gordexola too! Coming to support his wife Rosa ROMERO (KTM)
who participated in the Women's category, the multiple Dakar winner Nani
ROMA gave us the honor of his presence during the weekend, and he even
handed over the golden plate to EnduroGP leader Matthew PHILLIPS on the
podium on Saturday evening. SuperEnduro and Hard Enduro rider, Alfredo GOMEZ
(ESP - KTM) was also present to meet up with his friends, and to offer
support to Mr. VILADOMS (President of RFME, Spanish Motorcycling Federation)
and Fran RICO, organizer of the 2016 SuperEnduro final in Madrid.
Pic:
Pep Segales
Much more than just a GP…
The local club also organized a raffle, with some superb prizes including a
motorcycle to win (A TM, unfortunately on the same day that REMES broke his
engine!), and many other top prizes. Food and merchandising stands as well
as welcoming bars and restaurants serving food and drink day and night,
perfectly complimented the organization of the race. Specific parking
(officials, motorcycles, media...), knowledgeable and animated commentary
and sound systems on all the special tests, a live music concert, and VIP
visits... the paddock of Grand Prix AMV Seguros of Euskadi was more than a
sporting event! A great example for other events to follow...
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