{"id":19561,"date":"2013-05-15T16:35:34","date_gmt":"2013-05-15T14:35:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.enduro.nl\/?p=19561"},"modified":"2013-05-15T16:35:34","modified_gmt":"2013-05-15T14:35:34","slug":"wk-enduro-preview-grand-prix-cross-pro-of-portugal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/19561\/wk-enduro-preview-grand-prix-cross-pro-of-portugal\/","title":{"rendered":"WK Enduro: Preview Grand Prix Cross Pro of Portugal"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Luis<\/a>Only one week after the\u00a0GP AMV Seguros of Spain<\/strong>, the\u00a0Maxxis FIM Enduro World Championship<\/strong>is on the way to the Portugal and more precisely to\u00a0Torres Vedras <\/strong>after 950 kilometers across the both countries. <\/p>\n

The\u00a0Federa\u00e7ao de Motociclismo de Portugal (FMP)<\/strong>, chaired by\u00a0Jorge VIEGAS<\/strong>, is a regular of the EWC and of the Iberia tour. And for the second time in a row, with the agreement of the\u00a0Federation International of Motociclisme<\/strong>, it is the\u00a0Clube Ecomotor <\/strong>that will have the honors to organize this Portuguese stage. This Moto Club, created in 2011, has already organized two rounds of national Supercross, the Grand Prix of Portugal last year and one of the Portuguese Enduro Championship at the beginning of the season. It\u2019s a very dynamic and ambitious club.<\/p>\n

Bis Repetita for the Clube Ecomotor<\/strong><\/p>\n

The\u00a0Clube Ecomotor,<\/strong> with the help of\u00a0Gio SALA (Race Inspector)<\/strong> and\u00a0Pedro MARIANO (Race Director)<\/strong>, has prepared a track of 55 kilometers which will be ridden 4 times each day during the two days of race with, like in Puerto Lumbreras, two Time Checks. The paddock will be situated in the\u00a0Parque do Exposi\u00e7oes<\/strong>, in the center of\u00a0Torres Vedras<\/strong> like in 2012. The\u00a0Xtreme Test <\/strong>and theCross Test <\/strong>(new one) will be located in\u00a0Pedreira do Figueiredo.<\/strong> The\u00a0Enduro Test<\/strong> will take place on the heights of\u00a0Torres Vedras<\/strong>, next to the paddock, and will have a 8 kilometers length approximately. On its side, the KTM\u00a0Super Test<\/strong> of the Friday, May 17th will be in\u00a0Parque do Exposi\u00e7oes<\/strong>, just in front of the paddock. Unlike the third first event, the nature of track, trails and special tests will depend of the weather forecast that is indecisive for instance. To note, thatHumberto RIBEIRO<\/strong>, the famous Portugese stuntman will be also present to make the show on Friday evening before and after the Super Test and with the help of Husqvarna Motorcycle.<\/p>\n

Torres Vedras<\/strong> is situated in the District of\u00a0Lisbon <\/strong>and in the region\u00a0Center<\/strong>. This charming city, of 405 km2, has more than 75 000 inhabitants. Great wine city,\u00a0Torres Vedras<\/strong> is just 70 kilometers North of the capital\u00a0Lisbon <\/strong>and 173 kilometers South of\u00a0Coimbra<\/strong>. Surrounded by wineries,\u00a0Torres Vedras<\/strong> is famous wine growing region\u2026<\/p>\n

SALMINEN has to react\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last weekend, we believed for a while that the trend will reverse. But finally, after a big crash on Day 1,\u00a0Antoine MEO (F \u2013 KTM) <\/strong>will arrive in Portugal with a bigger gap in the\u00a0E1<\/strong>Standing. Indeed, the French has now 21 points ahead of his first runner-up\u00a0Juha SALMINEN (SF \u2013 HVA)<\/strong>. The Finn, who never found the good rhythm in Spain has to react on Saturday or he will have to see the KTM rider coming closer to his 4th consecutive crown. But the eight time World Champion is not the only who has to react, his teammate and compatriotMatti SEISTOLA<\/strong> will have to be more consistent if he wants to be a permanent danger for\u00a0MEO<\/strong>. The Husky Boys will have to form a redoubtable duo in order to beat a weakened\u00a0MEO<\/strong>(Injured knee in Spain). On his side,\u00a0Thomas OLDRATI (I \u2013 Husaberg)<\/strong> will have to quickly wake up after his deceiving GP of Spain while\u00a0Eero REMES (SF \u2013 TM) <\/strong>will look to continue his good results (2\/2) and the Frenchies\u00a0Jeremy JOLY (Honda)<\/strong>,Nicolas DEPARROIS (Yam) <\/strong>and\u00a0Anthony BOISSIERE (Sherco)<\/strong> will try to be consistent to shape their speed! We have to note the comeback of local Rally\u2019s Superstar\u00a0Helder RODRIGUES (P \u2013 Honda) <\/strong>and of\u00a0Gon\u00e7alo REIS (P \u2013 KTM)<\/strong>who cannot participate to Spain but will be present this weekend!<\/p>\n

In\u00a0Enduro 2<\/strong>, the awesome weekend of\u00a0Ivan CERVANTES (E \u2013 KTM)<\/strong> on his home soil has changed a bit the face of the class. Despite the fact that\u00a0Alex SALVINI (I \u2013 HM Honda)<\/strong> is still the leader in the standing, the double of \u201cTorito<\/strong>\u201d has shown that the Italian is not unbeatable and that they will have to count on the KTM rider for the rest of the Championship. With\u00a0SALVINI <\/strong>leader andCERVANTES <\/strong>with renewed confidence and first runner-up with 9 points behind, it\u2019s the French doublet Pierre-Alexandre RENET (Husaberg)<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0Johnny AUBERT (KTM)<\/strong> that will have to react inTorres Vedras<\/strong>, under penalty of seeing their title chances a bit more shorten. The fight between these 4 riders will take another dimension in Torres Vedras and an intense fight will be established from Saturday. With a David KNIGHT (GB \u2013 Honda) <\/strong>with a thumb injury and weakened, the Top 5 seems possible for the Spanish trio\u00a0Oriol MENA (Husaberg)<\/strong>,\u00a0Victor GUERRERO (KTM) <\/strong>andLorenzo SANTOLINO (HVA)<\/strong> but they will have also to be careful with the EEAT duo\u00a0Antoine BASSET (F \u2013 Yam) <\/strong>\u2013\u00a0Alexandre QUEYREYRE (F \u2013 Yam)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In the\u00a0E3 <\/strong>class, the fast is clear for\u00a0Joakim LJUNGGREN (S \u2013 Husaberg)<\/strong> and\u00a0Aigar LEOK (EST \u2013 TM)<\/strong>. To prevent, from any means, the leader\u00a0Christophe NAMBOTIN (F \u2013 KTM) t<\/strong>o take 100% confidence or they will see the KTM rider flying to a second title in a row. Indeed, the French, physically weak and with mental difficulties, has recovered his confidence after his superb double. The Estonian and the Swedish will really have to step up and to be more aggressive if they still want to pretend to the day victory and to the title. To achieve their purposes, they will be helped by\u00a0Manuel MONNI (I \u2013 KTM)<\/strong> and the local\u00a0Luis CORREIA (P \u2013 Beta) <\/strong>who will be over-determined in front of his public to whom he will want to offer a podium. The surprise can come also from the 2012 Junior World Champion Mathias BELLINO (F \u2013 Husaberg)<\/strong>, who, after an encouraging 4th rank in Puerto Lumbreras, seems to be in the good ways after his physical difficulties during the offseason. We are still waiting a feat of the lumberjack\u00a0Marko TARKKALA (S \u2013 Honda)<\/strong> while the young\u00a0Deny PHILLIPAERTS (I \u2013 Beta)<\/strong> will maybe continue to surprise.
\nLa\u00efa SANZ only half of the weekend!<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Australian Enduro on the highest step of the podium and dominating in the Enduro World, this wasn\u2019t happened since\u00a0MERRIMAN <\/strong>years. But it does seem the case again with\u00a0Matthew PHILLIPS (AUS – HVA) <\/strong>which was dominant in the region of Murcia and now leads the Junior category with five points ahead of\u00a0Giacomo REDONDI (I – KTM)<\/strong>. To counter the HVA rider,Giacomo REDONDI,<\/strong> Danny MCANNEY (GB – Gas Gas)<\/strong>,\u00a0Mario ROMAN (E – Husaberg) <\/strong>and\u00a0Rudy MORONI (I – KTM) <\/strong>will have to show more consistency and tenacity. But everything is still to play in this ultra-raised category where it is still very difficult to predict a potential World Champion. For his part, the child of Sintra\u00a0Luis OLIVEIRA (P – Yam) <\/strong>author of a promising start of the season will be over-motivated in front of his audience and will look for his first podium.\u00a0On the\u00a0FIM Youth Cup 125cc<\/strong> side, all observers wonder if\u00a0Benjamin HERRERA (CL – TM) <\/strong>is able to impose himself outside his native soil. He will have to shut the critics after a disappointing Spanish Grand Prix whereJamie MCCANNEY (GB – Husaberg)<\/strong>,\u00a0Albin ELOWSON (S – Husaberg) <\/strong>and\u00a0Dawid CIUCCI (I – KTM)<\/strong> was much faster than him. The rookie class\u00a0Henrique NOGUEIRA (P – TM) <\/strong>dreams to be back on the podium, as in Chile, in front of his spectators.<\/p>\n

Finally in this\u00a0Women <\/strong>class, the\u00a0Grand Prix\u00a0Cross Pro\u00a0of Portugal<\/strong>should give us a new leader … Indeed,\u00a0Laia SANZ (ESP – KTM)<\/strong>will start the race well, but only on Sunday because she chooses to participate to the X Games on Saturday Evening in Barcelona. So that gives us a new head on the top step of the podium where the Female contenders are many.\u00a0Jane DANIELS (GB – Husaberg)<\/strong>,\u00a0Jessica GARDINER (AUS – Sherco) <\/strong>and\u00a0Juliette BERREZ (F – Yam) <\/strong>are the big favorites for victory but they will be wary of\u00a0Audrey ROSSAT (FRA – KTM),<\/strong> Geraldine FOURNEL (F – Husaberg) <\/strong>and\u00a0Jemma WILSON (AUS – Honda) <\/strong>who couldn\u2019t enjoy the pleasures of the podium in Spain and have fangs this weekend…<\/p>\n

This\u00a0Grand Prix\u00a0Cross Pro\u00a0of Portugal<\/strong> is really expected in a region that welcomes for the second year in a row an Enduro Grand Prix. We bet that the fresh new\u00a0Clube Ecomotor<\/strong> will have gathered all the elements to make of this stage a great popular celebration in the Center South of Portugal where the public, awaited, will mix Enduro and tableware.<\/p>\n

Information<\/strong>:
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Torres Vedras (District of Lisbon);
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 70 kms North of Lisbon;
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Friday, May 17th: KTM Super Test: 19.00;
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th, May: Start: 9.00 and Arrival at 16.00;
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Organizer: Clube Ecomotor;
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Website: www.enduro-abc.com and www.ecomotor.pt;
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Track: 55 kms \u2013 4 laps;
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Free Access;
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Airport: Lisbon (70 kms).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Only one week after the\u00a0GP AMV Seguros of Spain, the\u00a0Maxxis FIM Enduro World Championshipis on the way to the Portugal and more precisely to\u00a0Torres Vedras after 950 kilometers across the both countries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19561","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ekwk"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19561","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19561"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19561\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19561"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19561"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19561"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}