{"id":41915,"date":"2018-10-24T14:20:51","date_gmt":"2018-10-24T12:20:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.enduro.nl\/?p=41915"},"modified":"2018-10-24T14:20:51","modified_gmt":"2018-10-24T12:20:51","slug":"wess-championship-fight-set-to-intensify-at-swedens-gotland-grand-national","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/41915\/wess-championship-fight-set-to-intensify-at-swedens-gotland-grand-national\/","title":{"rendered":"WESS Championship Fight Set To Intensify At Sweden\u2019s Gotland Grand National"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"billy-bolt-wess\"<\/a>Wels, Austria – October 24, 2018 \u2014 The World Enduro Super Series title fight heats up this weekend as the series heads to Sweden for the Gotland Grand National, the penultimate round of the 2018 season. With six rounds now complete, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing\u2019s Billy Bolt (GB) leads the way with Germany\u2019s Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing\u2019s Josep Garcia (ESP) in close contention.<\/p>\n

Marking the 35th edition of the Swedish classic, this year\u2019s Gotland Grand National is set to welcome over 3000 competitors as the battle intensifies to become the ULTIMATE ENDURO CHAMPION. A \u2018must-do\u2019 event on the Swedish racing calendar, the three-hour Cross-Country race – situated on the small island of Gotland – attracts thousands of annual competitors. Its rocky terrain, with technical tree rooted forestry tracks and marshy wetlands, ensures the 22-kilometre long course provides a physically demanding race for all.<\/p>\n

The third series leader in as many races, Billy Bolt currently holds the upper hand over his championship rivals. Winning the opening event back in May, Bolt has found rejuvenated form during the second half of the season. With back-to-back podium results at Red Bull 111 Megawatt and the Hawkstone Park Cross-Country the Brit looks to build on his advantage with a strong performance in Gotland.<\/p>\n

Sitting just 125 points behind Bolt – with a remaining 2000 points up for grabs – Manuel Lettenbichler is a close second. The German privateer has been sensational this season proving himself as a championship contender regardless of the terrain or Enduro discipline faced.<\/p>\n

Weighing into the title fight with a dominant victory at round six in Great Britain, Josep Garcia will also be a rider to watch in Sweden. The Classic Enduro specialist was blisteringly fast during the Hawkstone Park Cross-Country and will be an expected front runner. Aiming to settle for nothing less than a win, Garcia also knows that the sizeable entry list in Gotland could seriously enhance his title hopes should his rivals have any problems.<\/p>\n

Also enjoying a late championship charge, Poland\u2019s Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) is fifth in points and could easily play spoiler to Bolt, Lettenbichler and Garcia. A fierce competitor and one never to be counted out, Blazusiak will be aiming for the podium in Sweden. Runner-up to Garcia at round six, Britain\u2019s Nathan Watson (KTM) is another rider finding his groove late in the season. Favouring the faster Cross-Country riding, Watson knows that a potential debut WESS win is within his grasp.<\/p>\n

Separated by just 16 points, Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna – GB) and Paul Bolton (KTM – GB) sit eighth and ninth respectively in the championship standings. Gas Gas Factory Racing\u2019s Lars Enockl (AUT) completes the top 10 and will look for another strong outing this weekend.<\/p>\n

With 3000 competitors taking to the start line, local knowledge is set to be a key factor in the outcome of the race as the leading riders manage both track hazards and high volumes of traffic. Winner in 2017, Norway\u2019s Kjetil Gundersen will be a rider WESS regulars will have to watch come race day.<\/p>\n

So too will Swede Albin Elowson. Runner-up in 2017 – his best Gotland Grand National result to date – Elowson also finished 11th at the Tr\u00e9fle Loz\u00e9rien AMV and will aim to show his speed once again in this year\u2019s WESS championship.<\/p>\n

With eight Gotland Grand National victories to his name, Mats Nilsson (SWE) is the most successful rider in the history of event. Despite claiming his debut win back in 1997, 49-year-old Nilsson finished on the podium in 2017, proving age and experience is every match for youthful exuberance. Fourth last year, Rikard Hansson (SWE) will look for another top result, while all eyes will be on Joakim Ljunggren \u2013 one of Sweden\u2019s most successful Enduro riders \u2013 to see if he can finally win his first Gotland Grand National.<\/p>\n

The seventh and penultimate round of the 2018 World Enduro Super Series \u2013 Gotland Grand National \u2013 takes place this weekend, October 26\/27.<\/p>\n

Gotland Grand National Fast Facts<\/p>\n

GGN is the world\u2019s largest single day enduro
\n2016 was the largest recorded attendance with 3172 competitors
\nThe course is 22 kilometres long with a three-hour race distance for all classes
\nSwede Mats Nilsson is the event\u2019s most successful rider with eight victories
\nPela Renet has won the GGN four consecutive times from 2011-2014
\nCategories range from Youth to Elite, with even a class for military bikes<\/p>\n

Gotland Grand National 2017 Results<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Kjetil Gundersen (Nor) 7 laps
\n2. Albin Elowson (SWE) 6 laps
\n3. Mats Nilsson (SWE) 6 laps
\n4. Rikard Hansson (SWE) 6 laps
\n5. Kevin Olsen (SWE) 6 laps<\/p>\n

Gotland Grand National Winners<\/strong><\/p>\n

2017 Kjetil Gundersen
\n2016 Kenneth Gundersen
\n2015 Josh Strang
\n2014 Pierre-Alexandre Renet
\n2013 Pierre-Alexandre Renet
\n2012 Pierre-Alexandre Renet
\n2011 Pierre-Alexandre Renet
\n2010 Mats Nilsson
\n2009 Mats Nilsson
\n2008 Mats Nilsson
\n2007 Mats Nilsson
\n2006 Mats Nilsson
\n2005 Samuli Aro
\n2004 Mats Nilsson
\n2003 Kenneth Gundersen
\n2002 Mats Nilsson
\n2001 Jonas Edberg
\n2000 Kenneth Gundersen
\n1999 Kenneth Gundersen
\n1998 Joakim Hedendahl
\n1997 Mats Nilsson
\n1996 Joakim Hedendahl
\n1995 Joakim Hedendahl
\n1994 Joakim Hedendahl
\n1993 Peter Hansson
\n1992 Joakim Hedendahl
\n1991 Joakim Hedendahl
\n1990 Dick Wicksell
\n1989 Peter Hansson
\n1988 Peter Hansson
\n1987 Thomas Gustavsson
\n1986 Peter Hansson
\n1985 Dick Wiksell
\n1984 Per Gr\u00f6nberg<\/p>\n

Gotland Grand National Event Information<\/strong><\/p>\n

Website: www.nordicsportevent.se
\nFacebook: Gotland Grand National
\nInstagram: @nordicsportevent<\/p>\n

Start List & Results: http:\/\/gotland-grand-national.r.mikatiming.de\/2018\/?pid=startlist<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo credit: Future7Media<\/p>\n

Website: iRideWESS.com
\nRed Bull TV: redbull.tv\/WESS
\nInstagram: instagram.com\/iRideWESS
\nFacebook: facebook.com\/iRideWESS
\nTwitter: twitter.com\/iRideWESS<\/p>\n

WORLD ENDURO SUPER SERIES \u2013 2018 SCHEDULE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rnd 1. Extreme XL Lagares (Portugal) May 11-13
\nRnd 2. Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble (Austria) May 31-June 3
\nRnd 3. Tr\u00e8fle Loz\u00e9rien AMV (France) June 8-10
\nRnd 4. Red Bull Romaniacs (Romania) July 24-28
\nRnd 5. Red Bull 111 Megawatt (Poland) September 8-9
\nRnd 6. Hawkstone Park Cross-Country (England) September 22-23
\nRnd 7. Gotland Grand National (Sweden) October 26-27
\nRnd 8. Red Bull Knock Out (The Netherlands) November 10<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wels, Austria – October 24, 2018 \u2014 The World Enduro Super Series title fight heats up this weekend as the series heads to Sweden for the Gotland Grand National, the penultimate round of the 2018 season. With six rounds now complete, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing\u2019s Billy Bolt (GB) leads the way with Germany\u2019s Manuel…<\/p>\n

Lees meer “WESS Championship Fight Set To Intensify At Sweden\u2019s Gotland Grand National”<\/span> »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41915","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-evenementen","category-persberichten"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41915","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=41915"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41915\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41915"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41915"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41915"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}