The final showdown!
After five months and seven rounds, EnduroGP is heading to Cahors (France) this coming weekend for the final round of the 2016 series. An event that promises a thrilling end to the championship…
With only two riders so far crowned champions, in the Junior and FIM Youth Cup 125cc classes respectively, the Grand Prix AMV of France is set to see no fewer than five riders crowned world champions. All eyes will be on the coveted overall EnduroGP title, as well as the Enduro1, Enduro 2, Enduro 3 and Women’s classes.
A new challenge
Organizers of the final of the Maxxis FIM SuperEnduro World Championship in 2015 and passionate architect of the famous Urban Trial of Cahors, Didier VALADE was seeking a new challenge for his club. So he decided to run the final of EnduroGP 2016. With the support of the FIM and the FFM (French Federation), the Cahors Trial Club aims to achieve one of the best Grand Prix of the season, on both, sporting and extra-sporting sides…
Cahors is located in the southwest corner of France. The historic capital of Quercy, it has over 20’000 inhabitants. Surrounded by steep hills and arid heights, the city has many impressive monumental adornments. The Valentré Bridge is ranked in the humanitarian world heritage of UNESCO. Famous for its vineyards and cuisine (truffles, foie gras) Cahors is a typical southern town, which has the label of “Cities of art and history”.
Cahors Trial Club have created a beautiful track around the French countryside. With a length of 50 kilometres, riders will start from the Boulevard Léon Gambetta, in the centre of Cahors. They will then head to the Pradines Commercial Area where the Xtreme Test Technomousse will await them. Then they will travel to the Enduro Test, which is in Auzole, in the commune of St Pierre la Feuille. Finally, the top guns of the discipline will end the tour with the Maxxis Cross Test that will also be located at Auzole. Note that the Super Test on Friday evening will take place in the Pradines Commercial Area from 19.00.
To accompany this, the Cahors Trial Club has ensured plenty of non-racing entertainment with a mountain bike show (Vincent HERMANCE), a trial show (Christophe BRUAND and François CROSSET), a Dee Jay on Friday night during the Super Test and also a concert on Saturday evening…
PHILLIPS, HOLCOMBE, REMES: The Last Act
If success seemed to smile to Matthew PHILLIPS (AUS – Sherco) since the beginning of the season, it eluded him in Italy where a mechanical failure on day two resulted in him losing valuable points. He now holds a 15-point advantage over Steve HOLCOMBE (GB – Beta) and 17 points on Eero REMES (SF – TM). Nothing is settled and nothing is certain. If HOLCOMBE and REMES perform at their best the Australian will have to fight every step of the way in order to secure the EnduroGP title.
Possible of having an impact on the final EnduroGP championship finishing order, French riders Mathias BELLINO (F – Husqvarna), Loïc LARRIEU (F – Yamaha), Antoine BASSET (F – KTM) or Jeremy JOLY (FRA – KTM) and Romain DUMONTIER (F – Yamaha) will all be looking to end their championship campaign in the best possible way in front of their home crowd. In addition, KTM riders Taylor ROBERT (USA) and Nathan WATSON (GB) and Johnny AUBERT (F – Beta) and Alex SALVINI (I – Beta) could also play an important role in the outcome of the EnduroGP championship.
The Grand Prix AMV of France marks the end of the career of Ivan CERVANTES (ESP – KTM). “El Torito” announced his retirement from the world stage early in the season and will definitely want to walk away having made one last visit to the podium…
Finally, Cristobal GUERRERO (ESP – Yamaha), Danny MCCANNEY (GB – Husqvarna), Jaume BETRIU (ESP – KTM), Davide GUARNERI (I – Honda), Gianluca MARTINI (I – Kawasaki) and Pascal RAUCHENECKER (AUT – Husqvarna) will all being hoping for a strong end to their championships.
REDONDI on his way to a perfect season
Giacomo REDONDI (I – Honda) was crowned 2016 Junior World Champion in early summer in Fabriano, Italy and will remain in the Junior class in Cahors as he chases a perfect season. Opting not to move up into the Enduro2 category, Giacomo, who is undefeated over 14 days of competition so far this year, needs just two more day wins if he is to complete an incredible “perfect “season. Surely Albin ELOWSON (S – Husqvarna), who is very likely the Junior class runner-up in 2016, Josep GARCIA (E – Husqvarna), Henric STIGELL (SF – TM) or Davide SORECA (I – Honda) will be among those posing the biggest challenge to the king of the Junior class.
In the FIM Youth Cup 125cc class Jack EDMONDSON (GB – KTM) has also decided to stay in the category where he has been crowned champion. Behind him we find the usual riders of Erik APPELQVIST (S – Yamaha), Ruy BARBOSA (CL – Husqvarna), Enric FRANCISCO (F – KTM) and a big French armada led by Jean-Baptiste NICOLOT (Yamaha), Valerian DEBAUD ( Yamaha), Alexis BEAUD (Husqvarna) and Leo LE QUERE (TM)…
Can DANIELS win the Women’s title?
Just two points! That’s what separates Laia SANZ (ESP – KTM) of her rival Jane DANIELS (GB – Husqvarna). It was DANIELS who dominated early in the season, before SANZ was able to move into the lead during the GP of Spain. Can the English rider Jane halt Laia’s advances and dethroning the Queen of Off-Road and claim the title?
Germany’s Maria FRANKE (KTM) will likely take up the role of referee, more than capable of winning the Women’s class her results in Cahors might well have a big impact on the final championship outcome. Just seven points behind SANZ the enduro rookie might deliver a surprise in Cahors. Behind this explosive trio, the battle for fourth will be between Sanna KÄRKKÄINEN (FIN – KTM) and Jemma WILSON (AUS – Yamaha). We will also be happy to see Valérie ROCHE (F – Sherco) who is the only French rider to have the courage to challenge SANZ, DANIELS and FRANKE. She certainly has the heart to do well in front of her public.
So, for the final time in 2016 the EnduroGP championship packs its bags… and heads to Cahors, France. With large numbers of enduro fans expected to witness the crowning of the series’ remaining champions, the action will start on Friday, September 9th at 19:00 (Super Test).
Informations:
– Cahors (Department of Lot);
– 114 kms from Toulouse;
– Friday, September 9th: Super Test: 19h00;
– Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September: Start: 9h00 et Finish around 16h00;
– Organizer: Cahors Trial Club;
– Website: www.endurogp.org;
– Track: 50kms – 3 laps;
– Free Access;
– Airport: Toulouse (114 kms)