HVA Xtreme Test Award
RENET takes the lead!

The HVA Xtreme Test Award took another dimension after the Grand Prix Maxxis of Greece and two men start to run away... With a very fast and technical special test drawn in a stream on the foothill of the magnificent Meteors, the Xtreme Test encountered an enormous popular success with the Greek public.

Already a 33 points gap...
With an indisputable doubled Pierre Alexandre RENET (FRA - HVA) has dominated the HVA Xtreme Test Award of this 3rd race of the season and now has 111 points.

The Husqvarna rider took advantage of the deceiving result of his great rival, Antoine MEO (F - 103 pts), on Sunday (5th) to take the lead with a 8 points lead. But there are still five Grand Prix and the two men should animate this award at each stage.

Behind the duo, the gap is already important as Ivan CERVANTES (E - 3rd), despite his second place on Saturday, is already 33 points behind MEO while Johnny AUBERT (F - 4th), Cristobal GUERRERO (E - 5th) and Christophe NAMBOTIN (F - 6th) are already more than 40 points.

Note the presence of two Junior riders in the Top 10, Danny MCCANNEY (GB), 7th, and Giacomo REDONDI (I), 9th.
While the duo Pierre-Alexandre RENET - Antoine MEO clearly dominates the HVA Xtreme Test Award after three Grand Prix, a new type of terrain will face them in three weeks during the Grand Prix of Finland and Sweden. And we could well see a revival of "distanced" riders that absolutely must recover those lost points in order not to lose their last hopes of bringing home the TE 300 into play...

Standing: 1. Pierre-Alexandre RENET (F – HVA) 111pts; 2. Antoine MEO (F) 103pts; 3. Ivan CERVANTES (E) 70pts; 4. Johnny AUBERT (F) 61pts; 5. Cristobal GUERRERO (F) 54pts; 6. Christophe NAMBOTIN (F) 46pts; 7. Daniel MCCANNEY (GB) 37pts; 8. Eero REMES (SF) 30pts; 9. Giacomo REDONDI (I) 29pts; 10. Luis CORREIA (P) 27pts…

Husqvarna Racing News catches up with Enduro 2 title contender Pela Renet…

As round three of the FIM Enduro World Championship heads to Greece this weekend Bel-Ray Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Pela Renet is keen to continue his excellent run of form in the series. Currently second overall in the highly competitive Enduro 2 class, the 2012 world champion is looking to secure another race win this weekend.

Fighting hard with close rival Antoine Meo in both Catalunya and Portugal, Renet is confident the dry, dusty tracks of Kalambaka will suit his smooth riding style. Eight points behind Meo in the E2 championship chase, a double victory will help to level the scores and put momentum back on the Husqvarna rider's side…

Husqvarna Racing News: Pela, you’re currently sitting second in the Enduro 2 championship standings with a race win to your credit. You must be pleased with the way your 2014 Enduro World Championship campaign has started?

Pela: “Yes, I’m really happy. I worked hard during the winter and felt good coming into the season, but training is training and racing is very different. I was confident that I could be competitive, and challenge for race wins, so it has been very rewarding to have secured a day win. But I want more. A lot of people were talking about the fight between Antoine Meo and Alex Salvini, but I was really motivated to prove that I’m also in the fight for the E2 title.”

HRN: Last time out in Portugal you looked like you might be on for a double win. You ended up finishing second, what happened?

Pela: “On the first day Antoine Meo rode a really strong final lap and took the win. But on day two I made two stupid mistakes in the final motocross test that cost me the win. I had done the hard work, but mistakes are very costly when you’re racing for the win. I was really angry with myself but also pleased with my speed, my bike and my fitness.”

HRN: Does the level of competition in the Enduro 2 category surprise you?

Pela: “Yes, a little. Every class is competitive but when you look at the overall results some of the other riders have been quite a long way behind us. I think the fight that we have with Antoine Meo is pushing all of us at the top of the E2 class further ahead.”

HRN: How rewarding is it to know that you’re not just fighting to be at the top of the E2 class, but fighting to be at the top of the event outright?

Pela: “I think everyone is enjoying the fight at the top of the E2 class. Antoine is a four-time world champion and an incredible competitor. It’s great when you have to be at your best from the start to the finish of each day. A good overall result is good to have, but I would prefer to have more E2 class wins.”

HRN: You made a fantastic start to the French Enduro Championship recently with a double E2 class win. That must have been a great boost to your confidence?

Pela: “Yes, it was great to make a strong start to my national championship. After Portugal I really wanted to keep pushing hard against Antoine, and I managed to beat him there. It’s still very early in the season with a lot of racing still to do.”

HRN: Finally, you’ve walked the special tests for this weekend’s GP of Greece, are you looking forward to the race?

Pela: “Yes I am. The weather’s great here and the special tests look really good. Like always the goal is to try and win and take maximum championship points…”

Enduro 2 Championship Standings 1. Meo 77 points; 2. Renet (Husqvarna) 69; 3. Aubert 58 (Beta); 4. Salvini (Honda) 58; 5. Santolino (Sherco) 42…