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Close second for KTMs Walker in The Tough One Hard Enduro Red Bull KTM factory rider Jonny Walker fought the good fight in the traditional The Tough One Hard Enduro on Saturday at the UKs Hawkstone Park finishing two minutes behind winner David Knight after the grueling three-hours race. Walker, who rides the KTM 300 EXC was fastest off at the start and held onto the lead for the opening laps before getting into difficulties in some difficult climbs and steep descents in the woods section. Knight managed to get past him only to relinquish the lead later into the race when he crashed out but the veteran of six wins recaptured the front position when Walker got into difficulties and went on to seal the victory. It was these two riders who dominated and had distanced themselves from the rest of the field by about seven minutes. by the end of the race.. It was good but a very difficult. I led for a good part of the race but I know I have to improve my stamina, Walker said. I wanted to push as hard as I could early on and try to gap everyone but it didnt happen. David was right on my tail and I couldnt shake him off. When he got past me I wanted to follow him and see what lines he was riding but he crashed and I was back in the lead again. Once he came past me I had nothing left to hold him off, the 22- year-old Briton conceded. Walker recently moved to France to be nearer training and racing possibilities and to take advantage of better weather. He will now concentrate on getting ready for the Erzberg Rodeo in six weeks time. This years The Tough One was a different character to other hard enduro events on the calendar, according to Julian Stephens from Walkers KTM support team. It was very sandy and incorporated a lot of the motocross track but there were man-made obstacles and some very difficult climbs in the woods with lots of rocks and big tree roots to negotiate. Todays race favored riders with motocross and traditional enduro experience." Alfredo Gomez of Spain completed the podium. Veteran British extreme enduro specialist Graham Jarvis was fourth followed by KTM rider Paul Bolton and KTM factory rider Andreas Lettenbichler was sixth to give KTM three of the top six places. The Tough One Extreme Enduro - Hawkstone Park UK - Pro class results 1, David Knight, GBR, Sherco 3:00.24 2, Jonny Walker, GBR, KTM, 3:02.19 3, Alfredo Gomez, ESP, Husqvarna, 3:09. 24 4, Graham Jarvis, GBR, Husqvarna, 3:11.46 5, Paul Bolton, Britain, KTM, 17 laps 3;01.16 6, Andreas Lettenbichler, GER, KTM
Season's Best For Walker In Spain KTM Enduro Factory rider Jonny Walker has delivered his best result of the season so far by placing second overall at round five of the SuperEnduro World Championship in Barcelona. Getting his evening off to a perfect start, Walker . for the second event in a row . posted the fastest time in the Super Pole qualification session. Setting a time over one--]second quicker than anyone else, the KTM rider secured first gate pick for the opening main event. But with a crash in the first corner of final #1 Walker was unable to translate his pace into a race win. Remounting last, he set about fighting his way through the field. Recovering strongly, Jonny ended his race fifth. Suffering another bad start in final #2, this time around he found some gaps during the opening lap and quickly battled his way into second position. Knowing his speed was good, the Brit focused hard on getting a good start in final #3. Taking control of the race lead on the second corner, he reeled off several fast laps. But with Taddy Blazusiak closing in, Walker was denied his first race win of the season and had to settle for second overall. In doing so secured the runner--]up result on the nigh Walker's next race will be the opening Hard Enduro event of 2014 . Hell's Gate on February 15. Walker will then return to SuperEnduro World Championship action and the final round of the series in France on February 22. Jonny Walker: "I really feel like I've turned a corner during the second half of this championship, as far as my performances go. For the second time in a row I posted the fastest time in the Super Pole. Doing that was a massive boost of confidence. Unfortunately I messed up the start for final #1 and hit the dirt in the first corner. That was annoying because I knew my speed was good. But I just put my head down and charged my way back to fifth. In final #2 I again put myself on the back foot when I hit the rear wheel of another rider. I was pretty much last in the first corner but found a few gaps and got back to second. In the last race once I got into the lead I pushed hard but Taddy caught up and was pushing for the win. I got too tense and arm pump kicked in so second was the best I could do. But to finish as runner-up is brilliant . hopefully I can get the win I am after next time out in France" Results . FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, ,Rnd5 Prestige (Overall) 1. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 62pts; 2. Jonny Walker (KTM) 48pts; 3. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 42pts; 4. David Knight (Sherco) 41pts; 5. Joakim Ljunggren (Husqvarna) 37pts
As part of his preparations for the upcoming Hells Gate event in Italy on February 15th Jonny Walker recently took part in the first running of the WOR Events Sucker Punch Extreme Enduro, held in the Llandrillio Forest, North Wales. Returning to competition on a 300cc two-stroke following recent participation in the SuperEnduro World Championship on a 250cc fourstroke machine, Jonny comfortably topped the morning qualifying event, giving him a front row start for the main afternoon race. Immediately taking the race lead Jonny made light work of the demanding course and reached the finish first having been unchallenged throughout the race. Awarded the race win, after the event Jonny was informed that his route card only had four punches and not the required five. Jonny was subsequently removed from the results, with Ben Hemingway awarded the victory. Jonny Walker: Its a weird one this, as I have no idea where or how I missed check point two. I guess Ill never know. It would have been cool to have won, but its not the end of the world. I guess I know how Graham Jarvis feels now, well kind of. It was great to be back out on the 300cc twostroke again its been a while as Ive been racing my 250f all the time recently. I felt really good, so to get some quality bike time in ahead of Hells gate was great. It was cool to get some forestry riding done again. The track was good, and I felt like I was riding well. I only stopped once, on one of the hills, the rest of the time I was pretty much feet up and pushing on with a good pace. Apart from the result it was a really good day Walkers next outing will be the penultimate round of the FIM SuperEnduro Photo Credit: CWL Photography
Series Best From Walker At SuperEnduro Mexico Jonny Walker has delivered his best result of the 2014 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, placing third overall at round four of the series in Guadalajara, Mexico. Ending his night with a 3/2/7 score card to secure third overall, Walker took to the start of the last final with a very real chance of overall victory. Disappointingly, a fall early in the race ended his chance of the outright win, but following a determined race-long performance he worked his way from near last to seventh, and in doing so moves to third in the SuperEnduro championship standings. For the first time in the 2014 SuperEnduro series Jonny topped the qualifying Super Pole session, going on to carry his impressive speed into the nights opening two finals. Third in race one, runner-up in race two, Jonny was confident of a third consecutive top three result in race three. Crashing in the first turn, he ended the race seventh but importantly moves up the championship standings into third ahead of the two upcoming SuperEnduro events in Europe Jonny Walker: Im really happy with the way things have gone here
in Mexico. Last weekend in Brazil was disappointing, so I was really focused on
making big improvements at this event, and I feel that Ive done that. My
starts were strong all night, which makes such a big difference. I got the
fastest time in the Super Pole, which showed that my speed is good, and I just
carried that into the finals. Knowing that Id set the fastest time gave me a
real boost. Taddy got a great jump from the start in the first final and lead
all the way but I spent the whole race battling with David, Walkers next SuperEnduro outing will be the penultimate round of the series in Barcelona, Spain on February 9th. SuperEnduro World Championship, Round 4, Mexico overall results 1. David Knight (Sherco); 2. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM); 3. Jonny Walker (KTM); 4. Mathias Bellino (Husqvarna); 5. Kyle Redmond (KTM); 6. Joakim Ljunggren (Husqvarna)
Walker places 4th in Brazil SuperEnduro Jonny Walkers return to competition following elbow surgery during the winter break was a successful one as the KTM Enduro Factory Team rider placed a strong fourth at the third round of the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, held in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Enjoying what was largely a very positive night, Jonny placed third, fourth, and third again in the events three finals. Although a little disappointed at having not finished on the end-of-night overall podium, Jonny secured 44 important championship points, just two behind third placed Alfredo Gomez. There were numerous highlights for Walker in Brazil, including stints leading the opening final and running second for seven of the nine laps in the third final. More importantly though was the fact that Jonnys elbow held up to the rigours of the SuperEnduro World Championship, which continues next weekend in Mexico. Round four of the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship takes place in Guadalajara, Mexico on January 25th 2014. Jonny Walker: I feel like Ive really taken a step in the right direction with my results here in Brazil. I finished third twice as well as getting one fourth place finish, so I know Im riding well. Its always strange getting back to racing after a break, so its good to know that my speed and fitness is good. I rode too tight in the first race, and lost time with a few small mistakes. But it was hard to ride relaxed because the track was so slippery it was so easy to make mistakes. In the second final I fell three times, so that wasnt great. But I lead for a while in the last final. I then stayed with Taddy for three laps after he passed me, before I stalled my bike in the rocks. Then I was with Knighter, but I bashed my man jewels jumping into the water section, and that really took the wind out of my sails. I just wanted to get to the finish then, and placed third so that was great. The thing I was most pleased with was that the elbow I had surgery on recently wasnt a problem at all. It felt great. Im looking forward to Mexico now, should be another great race. Results Prestige Class Overall Classification, Rnd 3 1. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 58 points, 2. David Knight (Sherco) 53, 3. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 46, 4. Jonny Walker (KTM) 44, 5. Joakim Ljunggren (Husqvarna) 33, 6. Dani Gibert (Gas Gas) 29 More
Strong End To A Tough Night In Poland Bad luck struck KTM Enduro Factory Team rider Jonny Walker at round two of the SuperEnduro World Championship in Poland where mistakes robbed him of a possible podium result. Ending his night sixth overall but only five points shy of the top three Walker left the Atlas Arena in Lodz frustrated with his evenings work. Intent on building on his results from round one in Liverpool, Walkers first major mistake came in the Super Pole. Stalling his engine in the brutal rock garden section dropped him back to sixth position, which left him with an outside gate pick for the evenings races. Knowing a strong start would be crucial in securing a good result, Walker gated well in Final #1 but his outside track position pushed him back as the field rounded the first corner. Fighting a little too hard to regain some ground, the KTM rider crashed and was forced to play catch up eventually finishing in eighth. Despite failing to find a good rhythm in Final #2, the young Brit improved to end the race in fifth. With one race left to run, Walker was determined to prove himself in Final #3. Focusing hard on his start, he again gated strongly but this time refused to give way in the first corner. Forcing his way through, he rounded lap one in fourth before moving up to third by half distance. Holding position for the remainder of the race, Walker claimed a well-earned third to end his night sixth overall. Round three of the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship continues in Brazil on January 18th 2014. Jonny Walker: Its not been the best of nights for me. I had some crashes and mistakes in the first two races that hurt my overall score despite finishing third in Final #3. My timed practice was good but during the Super Pole I stalled my bike in the rock garden. That mistake left me with the sixth pick of the gate. In Final #1 my reaction off the gate was great but with an outside starting position I got pushed wide and lost some ground. Trying to make time back I crashed and eventually placed eighth. Race two is always hard work with the reversed starting order. I struggled to find a decent rhythm and wasnt able to force my way through the traffic. I focused a lot on the start for Final #3 and it paid off. Again my reaction was great but this time I learned from my previous mistake and held my ground better. It paid off and I was fourth before improving to third by the race end. Sixth overall on the night is not ideal but third in Final #3 was a good way to end the night. Results Prestige Class Overall Classification, Rnd 2 1. David Knight (Sherco) 48pts; 2. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 44pts; 3. Dani Gibert (Husaberg) 39pts; 6. Jonny Walker (KTM) 34pts Championship Standings, Prestige class (after Rnd2) 1. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 107pts; 2. David Knight (Sherco) 93pts; 3. Dani Gibert (Husaberg) 80pts; 4. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 74pts; 5. Jonny Walker (KTM) 68pts
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Misfortune
for Walker at Sucker Punch Enduro
which
was cool. I just couldn't find a way to get in front of him. I didnt want to
start banging bars and risk one or both of us crashing so third was a good start
to the night. The second final was pretty much the same. I was behind David and
pushing him hard, and got passed at one stage before making a small mistake in
the stones. Im still pleased to get second. The last race was frustrating. I
went down early on and was so mad with myself. I pushed as hard as I could, and
my aim was to get passed Gomez for sixth but I wasnt quite able to make that
happen. The important think is that Ive moved into third in the championship
with two rounds to go. It was so close in the overall points between Knight,
Blazusiak and myself going into the last race. Thats why I was so mad with
myself when I crashed I had a real chance of taking the overall. But my
speed was good, I topped my first Super Pole, and I got on the overall podium in
third, so its been a great night for me in Mexico.
