Italy’s Alex SALVINI (Honda) secured his first ever enduro career win with a determined display of riding on day two of theMaxxis Enduro World Championship GP Acerbis of Chile. KTM’s Antoine MEO (F) fought his way back into contention to claim his second win of the weekend in the Enduro 1 class while France’s Christophe NAMBOTIN (KTM) improved on his previous day’s result to win the Enduro 3 category in Talca. In the Enduro Junior class, Italy’s Giacomo REDONDI (KTM) secured victory as local favourite Benjamin HERRERA (TM) topped the standings in the Enduro Youth Cup.
After setting the fastest E1 time on the opening enduro test,MEO slipped back down the running order as Italy’s Thomas OLDRATI (Husaberg) took control of the race lead. With both riders virtually tied on time entering the third and final extreme test, MEO delivered a stunningly fast time to claim his second victory of the weekend. “I started out quite strongly in the morning but then lost my way a little bit during the day,” confirmed MEO. “On the last lap I gave it my maximum and by setting the fastest time in the last extreme test I managed to take the win.” Looking incredibly strong throughout the day, OLDRATI was unable to fend off the late charge from MEO and was forced to settle for second position. Improving greatly on his day one result of seventh, Finland’s Eero REMES placed third to secure his debut podium result for TM Racing. Although posting the fastest time in four of the day’s nine special test, Finland’s Matti SEISTOLA (Husqvarna) crashed on the tricky uphill during the final enduro test and slipped back to fourth position. Finland’s Juha SALMINEN (Husqvarna) completed the top five.
The Enduro 2 class saw a new winner emerge with Italy’s Alex SALVINI (Honda) claiming victory. The win, which was his first in the EWC since quitting motocross, came after a hard fought battle with Spain’s Ivan CERVANTES (KTM) and France’sJohnny AUBERT (KTM). With little to separate the trio throughout the day, SALVINI topped the day’s final enduro test to claim a 14-second margin of victory. “I’m incredibly happy to win. It’s my first career win in enduro,” told a delighted SALVINI. “I felt strong all day and was able to ride like I know I’m capable of. It’s been a great day.” Jumping up two positions from his day one result of fourth, CERVANTES finis hed as a deserved runner-up to SALVINI. AUBERT claimed his second podium result of the weekend with third place. Unable to repeat his winning result from day one, France’s Pela RENET (Husaberg) was fourth. Setting the fastest time in the final extreme test, Britain’s David KNIGHT (Honda) placed just three seconds behind RENET in fifth.
In the Enduro 3 class, France’s Christophe NAMBOTIN (KTM) ended his day as the winner. Although struggling to find a comfortable rhythm on the dry and dust terrain, NAMBOTIN delivered some impressive performances. Topping five of the day’s nine special tests, the KTM rider secured a solid 18-second win. “Even though I’ve won it’s been a difficult day for me,” remarked NAMBOTIN. “I struggled to get a good feeling with the track and crashed more than I would have liked.” Sweden’s Joakim LJUNGGREN (Husaberg) continued his run of good form to end his day as runner-up. Proving that he will be a strong contender in this year’s championship, France’s Rodrig THAIN (Gas Gas) bettered his day one result of fourth to secure a podium result with third position. Portugal’s Luis CORREIA (Beta) capped off a successful weekend in Chile to end the second day fourth with Italy’s Manuel MONNI (KTM) rounding out the top five.
In the Enduro Junior class, Italy’s Giacomo REDONDI (KTM) repeated his winning result from day one. Spain’s Mario ROMAN (Husaberg) set a fast pace throughout the day and finished as runner-up to REDONDI. Making his debut in the EWC at the GPAcerbis of Chile, Australia’s Matthew PHILLIPS (Husqvarna) ended day two in third overall. France’s Loic LARRIEU (Husaberg)was fourth with Britain’s Daniel MCCANNEY (Gas Gas) ending his day in fifth.
Claiming his second victory of the weekend, Chile’s Benjamin HERRERA (TM) took the Enduro Youth Cup class win. Britain’sJamie MCCANNEY (Husaberg) finished as runner-up to Herrera with Sweden’s Albin ELOWSON (Husaberg) rounding out the top three.
The Maxxis FIM Enduro World Championship continues with the GP Maxxis of Argentina in San Juan on March 23/24.