The second day of the MAXXIS Grand Prix of Greece that took place in the furnace that is Kalampaka (37�), turned into a bloodbath for many riders, all the while amplifying the lessons learnt during the first day. With just over 50 riders reaching the finishing line, that is to say 40% of withdrawals, this final day caused untold damage to many men and machines. The heat only added to the already ruined ground and together caused a number of withdrawals often due to problems with the suspensions rendered inefficient over the course of the race.
Julien Gauthier(TM) in Enduro 1, S�bastien Guillaume (HVA) in Enduro 3 were both victims of this misfortune, whilst Simone Albergoni (HVA) could not relive his performance of the previous day in E2, due to engine failure !
Similar unfortunate event for Pierre-Alexandre Renet (HUSABERG), who withdraws at the end of the first round for the same problems he had encountered yesterday (Fuel pump injection?). Antoine Meo (HVA) finds himself quite alone in the lead of the Enduro 2 category, but was still forced to battle throughout the day with the tough Andalucian, Cristobal Guerrero (KTM) who affirms his presence from race to race and who has turned out to be the best KTM rider overall in this season. After yesterday?s setbacks, Ivan Cervantes (Gas Gas) was the only star to cut his losses, despite the precarious�"health" of his 250 Gas Gas !
And of course, Johnny Aubert (KTM) did not start this morning, following injuries he incurred yesterday (a light fracture of the vertebral apophysis). A disaster such as this for the favourites meant that the outsiders were able to succeed, such as Antoine Basset (YAM), Jean-Fran�ois Goblet (YAM), Aigar Leok (TM) or Gon�on Reis (HM HONDA) who all scored some big points in this championship.
But the strongest man of this MAXXIS Grand Prix of Greece is without doubt Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas) who flew past the battles in Enduro 3 during these past 48 hours of race. Serene, determined, focused and physically fit, the Gas Gas representative was impressive in his mastery and has shown himself to be of a level higher than his rivals. Should his withdrawal from the Turkish Grand Prix be forgotten?
"This is the first double that I have achieved in this championship and certainly helps towards forgetting about my disappointment at having had to withdraw in Turkey. My objective now is to try to win as many races as possible and we shall see what will be at the end of the season."
Kurt Caselli (KTM) achieves a fantastic second place in the last timed section and seems to be one of the only riders to have enjoyed this difficult second day. "I am used to these conditions in the USA and also to the heat and today the course seemed easier than yesterday. We modified the suspensions slightly chosen by David Knight at the beginning of the season and I felt better on the bike than yesterday. Of course I am very happy with this result, particularly as it is on a bike that I am only just getting to know and I can?t wait to come back for the next Grand Prix in Romania!"
Joakim Ljunggren (HUSABERG) and Mika Ahola (HM HONDA) took part in an entertaining duel for the 3rd place on the podium and for energy (since they were also suffering digestive problems as were Botturi, Cruvalle and many more): the championship leader completes the Podium trio.
In Enduro 1, just like in the previous day, Juha Salminen (HVA) had to work hard to distance himself from his teammate Matti Seistola (HVA) and was only able to do so in the Enduro Test of the 3rd lap. "The Machine" marks a new success and continues to impress with his brio and the smoothness of his riding, which should stand him in good stead to achieve an 8th World title (Record !). Rodrig Thain (HM HONDA) and Eero Remes (KTM) also took part in an impressive battle for third place which will slip through the Finn?s fingers with only tenths of a second between them.
A lot of tension in the Juniors, where the unfortunate Anti Hellsten (KTM) woefully remained in the Paddock and witnessed as a spectator the tremendous battle between Joly (HM HONDA), Roman (KTM), Bellino (HUSABERG) et Fortunato (YAM) who end up finishing in that order, led by the young Frenchman by little more than a second after an hour and 10 minutes of timed sections.
But J�r�my Joly, finally a winner this year, will have to remain wary of Mario Roman who is gaining power and has just strung together 3 consecutive victories to the point of now being only 11 points away from the HM HONDA rider who this week became the new leader of the Juniors Championship. As per usual, Jonathan Manzi (KTM) saves the Italian honour by winning the FIM Youth Cup 125cc.
This Turkey / Greece round has managed to therefore destabilise the fragile hierarchy of the championship and has marked an indisputable turning point in the season that sees Salminen, Meo and Ahola as solid leaders in their respective categories?. And yet, these two heat-ridden Grands Prix, remind us that in these sports, nothing can be taken for granted and we will see that the vanquished will, as soon as the MAXXIS GP of Romania takes place, will return to the race seeking success and revenge.
The next meet on the 9th and 10th of July in Buzau, North East of Bucharest is already on their minds.
Lucio Cecchinello Pierre Cecchini Johnny Cecotto Adu Celso Santos
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