A Brilliant Debut!`
It's time to take a look back at the first Maxxis Grand Prix of Estonia in
the history of EnduroGP, which saw the RedMoto Klubi offer the World Enduro
paddock one of the most beautiful Grand Prix of the season so far...
Top Organisation
The RedMoto Klubi, led by its president Veiko BIENE, silenced even the most
skeptical of critics. The task was not an easy one since they took the gamble
of bringing EnduroGP to Estonia for the first time, and moreover in the
capital of the country: Tallinn! But there was entertainment of all kinds, a
very well-crafted course, and three great special tests - including a very
traditional X-Rocks Enduro Test which was enjoyed by all the riders. There was
nothing left wanting as the RedMoto Klubi catered to all aspects of the event
throughout the weekend. They are certainly very serious contenders for the
honorary title of "Best Organisation of the Year"!
Alain & Bastien BLANCHARD with Veiko BIENE and RedMoto Club Volunteers
- Pictured right
Hidden Injury
On Saturday night after the race when Steve HOLCOMBE (GB - Beta) returned to
the paddock after his victory in E3, he admitted to our journalist Fabien
GERARD that he had been struggling for quite some time… why? Well, during a
seemingly innocuous off in Spain, the Brit broke two ribs and therefore had to
ride injured in Portugal. In order to heal his ribs, he was unable to train
between Portugal and Estonia. Even if the pain is no longer present, the
factory Beta rider admitted that he is not running at 100% fitness... But
despite this he still managed two victories in E3 and two podiums EGP... not
bad considering!
Charity Visit
At
this GP in Estonia, RedMoto Klubi organised a charity visit to a children's
hospital in Tallinn. Matteo CAVALLO (I - Beta Boano), his manager Jarno BOANO
as well as Veiko BIENE's son, Priit (EST - Husqvarna) spent a long time with
the children of this hospital, offering them stickers, plastic motorbikes, and
also signing some autographs for them...
Injuries
While the 'infirmary' was thankfully not too busy this weekend, it still had
to accommodate two top riders: Matthew PHILLIPS (AUS - Sherco) and Jamie
MCCANNEY (GB - Yamaha). After falling on the last test in Portugal, PHILLIPS
suffered from headaches and vision problems. These headaches came back after
his fall in the Super Test Akrapovic on Friday night, accompanied by vomiting
and dizziness. After a difficult day with vision problems on Saturday, the
Australian decided it was better not to start on Sunday. For his part, Jamie
MCCANNEY (GB - Yamaha) fell heavily on the first test of the weekend and
injured his wrist. He pushed hard to gain two second positions in E1 but will
need to have a medical check-up upon his return to England to know the full
extent of his injury…
Best Privateer?
A part of the FIM Maxxis Enduro World Championship for at least five years,
Anthony GESLIN (F-Beta) has had to wait for his second season in E3 to finally
achieve his first podiums. One in Spain and one in Estonia... and they were
made all the more impressive by the quality of the riders behind him; Danny
MCCANNEY (GB - Gas Gas) and the vastly experienced champion Christophe
NAMBOTIN (F - Gas Gas) - who GESLIN refers to as 'The Boss'. These great
performances from the young Basque are well deserved as he has long been a
fine example of perseverance and determination. He is now in 4th position in
the E3 standings, and 17th in the EGP standings. The Beta France rider is
heading, at the same time, towards the title of "Privateer of the
Year"!
Anthony GESLIN (F - Beta)
One Live, 5 Cameras
The organisers didn't do anything by halves! In order to bring every moment
and every angle of the Akrapovic Super Test to the maximum number of people,
they put big means in place: 5 cameras and a control room. Facebook followers
of the EnduroGP page as well as the event's page, Enduro Tallinn GP, were able
to enjoy two hours of a very special and technical Friday night show...
Promising Finns…
While Hugo SVARD (SF - Husqvarna) has been the most prominent Finnish rider
since the beginning of the season (he was running 3rd in the Youth standings),
at this Grand Prix in Tallinn, other Finns showed their potential on terrain
which was very similar to home. Starting with Roni KYTÖNEN (SF - Husqvarna),
the son of Vesa, who achieved his first two podiums of the season and is now
fourth in Youth. But also Antti HANNINEN (SF - Husqvarna) who raced very well
in Junior 1 - he took a podium on Saturday, and a solid 4th place on Sunday,
to the detriment of another Scandinavian rider, the Swede Erik APPELQVIST
(Yamaha), brought on by the Yamaha Johansson MPE team. Could the future be
moving back towards northern Europe?
Roni KYTÖNEN (SF - Husqvarna)
Hardcore Fans
Of course there were many Finnish fans on the tests during the weekend who had
made the short trip over to Tallinn, but no-one quite expected to find a group
of four French fans in Estonia. Partial to the more "exotic" races,
these four friends cheered loudly for every French rider in the tests, with
airhorns and chainsaw engines! In addition to that, to celebrate the double
victory of Théo ESPINASSE (F - Sherco), one of them played the Marseillaise
on the trumpet! No need for the recorded National Anthem, and above all these
dedicated fans added a good atmosphere wherever they went.
Top Substitute
As soon as it was announced that Davide GUARNERI (I) would be unable to
compete in Estonia due to injuries suffered in Portugal, Matteo BOFFELLI and
the Honda RedMoto team set out to find a replacement. This is how former MX
rider Alex SNOW (GB) arrived on Wednesday in Tallinn. Suffice to say that the
Brit fulfilled his role of 'fill in rider' since he fought on both days with
Antoine BASSET (F - Gas Gas) for the podium in Enduro 1 (4/4) and scored
points in EnduroGP (11/13)... SNOW confessed "It was a lot of fun, and
I'm glad to have had the opportunity to ride with the Honda RedMoto team again
in the World Championship.”
100 Years
During this 4th round of the season, the organisers as well as the
municipality of Tallinn wanted to give a nod to the anniversary of Estonia.
Indeed, it is 100 years this year since Estonia became independent. For this,
the RedMoto Klubi gathered all the paddock's current riders, as well as former
champions, gave them all an Estonian flag, and created a wonderful souvenir
photo.
Loïc LARRIEU (F - Yamaha)
|