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European Enduro Championship |
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Greetings from Dot Jones on Friday here in France at the first round of the 2009 European enduro Championship at Riom es Montagnes. The name of the town tells you we are up in the Cantal mountains just below the snow line - yes there is lots of the white stuff around- a stiff breeze, more like a gale, is blowing very cold air air across the paddock. Located near to the cattle market some of us feel right at home with the aroma of manure wafting into the work area.
Team Ireland arrived here after watching the Superbikes at Valencia and I spotted an unusual sign on the lid of the sink in the team transporter! Another couple of news items-Team Fantic are making a first appearance at the UEM with a neat 125cc 4T machine manufactured in Italy and ridden by Belgian riders-over 70% of machines here are two strokes, now that is very interesting.
The first day of the French round of the 2009 UEM began at 8am on a cold wet Easter Saturday. Competitors left the start to ride the nearby cross test which was in good condition for the first riders but deteriorated as the rain got heavier and tyres chewed up the track Then the course went off along one of the three loops up into the mountains where the Extreme test was lying in wait. After just a few riders had tried to do battle with the slippery rocks and badly placed logs it became clear that the timing would have to stop as riders fell first on the rocks then the logs. Legs and arms flayed as they tried to control the bucking bikes on the wet logs. Marshalls rushed to remove the big log in front of the log pile at the finish of the test as riders continued to struggle to keep going forwards. More logs were taken out, tapes broken, stakes snapped in half much to the amusement of the spectators. The steep downhill drop that had a log at the bottom became a spectacle as riders went over the bars. The rocks had to be bypassed and tapes had to be moved to allow wider turns until the test was unrecognisable to the later riders. When the veterans arrived the bog at the base of one of the climbs had got very bad and Julian Crimp was so unlucky when his front wheel got well and truly stuck in the mud. There were compensations when he was joined by the Womens Champion, Ludivine Puy, who also fell into the hole and for a few seconds they lay against each other. The comment that the test would not hold out for two laps was correct - it failed after two riders! The marshalls were exhausted after working like lumberjacks to move logs and then between laps they had to make an entirely new course cutting out all the natural climbs and descents leaving just the logs as a hazard. Lots of riders were arriving late at the first time check after being stuck on a steep hill out on the course so time may be scrubbed and the new comers were being encouraged to keep riding even though they were late. Many were falling off on the course, many on the road where they suffered minor scrapes and bruises and one rider ended up in a gents toilet still on the bike! By now the course was cutting up badly and the British lads were settling down to going that they like but the rain kept falling and the clouds were down on the hills making conditions even worse.
UEM France day two on Easter Sunday. As soon as the last riders finished yesterday the rain stopped, stayed dry all night then just as the first machines were collected from the parc ferme the rain began to fall. The first cross test on the edge of town claimed many victims, mostly those whose misguided enthusiasm had enclouraged them to start the second day in spite of being excluded or injured on the first day. The big hill climb was ridable providing no other rider was stuck as you came round the bottom rut. It was just to easy to return to the start and wash the bike, in fact it seemed there were more machines in the jet wash queue than out on the course.
The clouds were coming down obliterating the test and spectators could not see any of the action at all. There were big gaps between riders and only a few Veterans arrived and just three ladies as conditions deteriorated. Dylan Jones had retired with electrical problems, Ed Jones was riding well in conditions more like Wales but Jonothan Hinan was forced to call it a day due to a sore back after a fall on Saturday. Back at the paddock it was brushes and scrappers that were needed to try and clean the machines and dry gloves and goggles were at a premium.
The event was held in Riom De Montage in Southern France. 495 miles from Calais. After a long gap since the last Enduro, the Muntjac, held in late February, the Race in France proved to be very difficult. While the Sun was shining at home over the Easter weekend it was to be a very different story in France, with heavy rain foretasted for the whole event. With a 5th place finish on day 1 and only 6 seconds off 3rd place, Ed was slightly disappointed not get in the top 3, so he was determined on day 2 to improve on this result. Things got off to a bad start, with more rain over night, more and more riders were dropping time and getting stuck. At the first Motocross test, Ed arrived in a tight wooded section were two riders were across the track and a marshal trying to pull them away. Not wanting to loose any time the only way through was were the marshal was standing, but "I don't think he thought I would attempt it!" Not wanting to loose any time Ed took at the hill and the Marshall, who ended up on the Front Mudguard! With a quick apology Ed made it round the rest of the test and recorded the 4th fastest time. By the end of the day Ed was 3rd In class. With a 5th place on Day One and 3rd on Day Two Ed was thinking this would move him into the top 4 for the weekend. So when the results came out Ed was pleasantly surprised to see he is now lying 2nd in the E2 Championship. Ed would like to thank his sponsors KTM UK, ET James & Sons, Elite Cymru, Sinisalo, Regina Chain, Airoh Helmets, Michelin, Alpinestar, Motul oil, Scott UK, MD Racing Products, Pro Clean, Dep Pipes, Dunlopad, Renthal, Trail Tech, EnduroNews.com.
Electraction TM UK's Phillip McLaughlin travelled to the opening round of the UEM European Enduro championship held high in the mountains of Riom De Montage in Southern France. Having already recorded some impressive results at the first two rounds of the World Enduro Championship in Portugal and Spain, Phillip was hopeful and confident that his run of good form would continue.
Knowing he had the pace to run his EN450 TM at the front of the pack, Phil set about limiting the damage and aimed towards a podium position. Trying to work the back markers to his advantage and with help from his follower John spotting lines on the test he was able to consistently knock out top five times on the special tests. The tactics and luck of the Irish eventually paid off as at the end of two tough days racing he was rewarded with silverware and the bottom step of the podium taking third overall in Junior E2. Reflecting on his performance Phil commented, “Its been a really tough but rewarding weekend. Having never competed in a UEM event, I started at the back of my class as an unseeded rider which made it extremely difficult to carve a clear run through the special tests once they worsened with the weather. But I never gave up and kept pushing as best I could. I delighted and slightly stunned with what I've achieved today! I'd like to thank those who have been helping me out and giving me the opportunity to compete at these events” The Electraction TMUK rider's next event will be round three of the WEC in Sardinia on the 18th and 19th of April.
Ashley Wood's report After two days of riding I am very happy with my result and I have came away with a 7th place on day one and a 6th place on day 2 in the E2 Junior class. All the tests were brilliant, some of the best tests I have seen in a european championship, I was relatively pleased with my times even though i caught other riders up on a number of occasions, they were still enjoyable. I would like to thank my sponsors - GasGas UK ,Steve Plain Motorcycles, Talon, Michelin, Motul, Renthal, Gearne, Nau, FMF and Kriega, and to thank John aka Driscol and everyone that helped me over the weekend. I've just got back from the first round of the European enduro championship in France. This was only my second European event and proved to be a big learning curve. When we arrived on Wednesday night the sun was out and stayed that way until Saturday morning when the heavens opened and didn't stop till we left on the Sunday. there was 3 tests - 1 extreme and 2 cross tests both of which had flowing field sections and tough technical wooded hill-climbs - when i walked they were in perfect condition but by Saturday morning that had all changed. The first check included cross test 2 and the extreme test. the extreme test wasn't timed but i lost allot of time on the cross test when i dropped it on a rock and struggled to get going. Worse was to come on check 1 as i twice got stuck inn ques behind stuck riders on rocky hill-climbs losing 2 minutes. i was told afterwards that this check would probably be scrapped but unfortunately it wasn't so this put me down the results. the rest of day 1 was spent getting used to the rocky terrain and i was making alot of mistakes on the special tests. i ended day 1 25th in the junior e2/e3 class. i was disappointed with this as i had hoped to make the points but hoped to move into the top20 on day2. The tests had been altered slightly for day 2 but i was still making silly mistakes not on the harder parts of the tests but normally on the easier grass corners . but my times weren't far of the top 20 and at the start of lap two i was 17th in the extreme test even after not making the first hill and having to get of and push so i was hoping to sneak into the points. On the penultimate check i got stuck on two hills. On the check i came to a long hill and took what looked like a good line only to get stuck in some big rocks at the top having to lift and push the bike up to the top. knowing i was behind i went flat out down the road and straight into cross test 1 only to mess up a short grassy climb and again push to the top. i came into the check a minute late. knowing a few others had lost time i pushed on only to come down a hill on the last check too fast and didn't see abit of fence wire which worked its way round my back wheel and stopped me dead. i couldn't get it untangled so had rip the fence apart to get going again The time lost with that and once again messing up a cross test hill meant i dropped a further 2 minutes. disappointingly this meant i finished 22nd in class just missing the points. but i was pleased to have finished probably the hardest event Ive done apart from the wec in wales last year. i learnt loads during the weekend and was defo better at riding the rocks at the end of the weekend. i need to work on my grass tests, hill climbing and rocks so i will be kept busy till rd2 in Hungary at the end of may!! Id like to thank every1 who helped during the weekend especially my dad for driving me there sorting my pits out and keeping my bike in check, mum for sending me off organised, Kurt pringle who was our factory mechanic in the pits, the moyce family for all their help, everyone who helped out and the tests, all who were involved with organising our massive villa we stayed in and anyone else Ive forgot. also well done to all the brits who finished and those who scored points and especially Leo cordingley who won the vets!
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As riders leave the start they must first follow the red route out to the
second cross test which is just on the edge of town before joining the green
loop which includes the extreme test. They return to the start finish for
service, clock in at the green clock then follow the yellow markings out to
the first cross test, back to the start, clock in at the green clock and
follow the red loop out to the second cross test, and so on. Bet you are just
as confused as everyone here but we have been assured it will be alright on
Saturday! John then explained that it is imperative that riders follow the
correct route marking and not get lost because unless one hundred other riders
get lost and nintey five are French then no amount of protest will make any
difference. Everyone got through technical and the parc ferme in the town
centre was soon full of 200 UEM machines and 200 regional Championship
machines-yes 400 in total. The very short extreme test high up in the
mountains will be timed on the first lap as the Jury do not think it will hold
up for the second lap! Lets hope the wind keeps the rain away as the course is
very muddy and the tests will become very difficult later in the day. Every
one is in good spirits, except of course Ollie Moyce who is injured and
bitterly disappointed not to be out on his Husaberg.
British
veterans lead the way!
Reports
from the riders indicate that the tests were a bit of a lottery as slower
riders were caught and it was impossible to get past as there was only one
line in many places. The alternative routes that had been found when they
walked the tests were often blocked by fallen riders or had become impassible.
Getting into the paddock for service was also difficult as riders were
arriving from all directions and now the French club riders were also arriving
for fuel. Fortunately the time controls were clearly labelled and riders were
able to go through the correct colour control. Out onto the second lap the
tests were even worse except for the extreme which was just over a one minute
ride with few real hazards to test the best. Ed Jones was the fastest of the
Brits just half a second faster than Greg Evans and three seconds quicker than
Phil Mcglaughlin who had caught a slower rider on the logs. Dylan Jones was
enjoying the conditions and his time was a quicker than Ashley Wood and Jamie
Paget.Crimpy didn't get to ride the test again as he had carburation problems
out on the final loop of lap one and ran out of fuel.Fellow Vet Graham
Lazzarii fell on the test and the handlebars of his KTM hit him hard in the
chest and winded him which slowed him down. Back at the finish most riders
commented that the course was very rocky, the tests tricky and several had
lost some time but everyone was changing rear tyres as they were well worn.
All
considered it was a difficult day for the first timers and many retired out of
the thirty minute time allowance. But when the provisional results were posted
outside the Jury room it was the British veteran class riders who were top of
the shop! Nikopensius from Estonia was the winner with Karl Greenall second,
Paul Smithson third and Leo Cordingly, out on Ollie Moyce spare Husaberg,
fourth, a fine result for them all! Other results for the day one showed Phil
NcGlaughlin TM in 5th and Ashley Wood Gas Gas in 7th, Jamie Paget TM in 13th,
Bradley king in 25th and Craig Renyolds 28th in E2 Juniors. In the E1 SEnior
class Greg Evans KTM is in a very good 4th place, Dylan Jones in 13th with
Jonathan Hirnam 14th and Tom Braddock Husky in 19th place with Ed Jones KTM a
fine 5th in E2 Seniors.
Off into the hills and out at Le Pons the cross test set out on natural
hills and dales was in prime condition for the early riders on the first lap.
A dryer line was trying to appear as Ashley Wood, Phil Mclaughlin, Jamie Paget,
Greg Evans and Ed Jones arrived had they all had some good lines. Ashley
caught two slower riders who held him up before he managed to slither past
them and the chain on Jamies TM came off and after a fast test Greg dropped
his KTM just on bend before the finish. Greg had been second fastest on the
first two tests but then on lap two he got stuck on the hill at the start of
the Extreme test.
The second lap was going to be tough with only those determined to stick it
out getting to the finish. A hill on the course was proving difficult as the
stream at the bottom became a bog and it had to be a positive first attempt to
get up. Jamies Paget hit and killed a fox when it ran out into the road and he
could not miss it! He was also stopped by an official for not having a working
front light and could be excluded. Riders were dropping time and others
suffering machinery problems. Karl Greenall who was second yesterday hit a
rock and smashed his gearbox cover and lost the oil and his day was over. Leo
soldiered on without a lot of support as everyone returned to the
paddock to get dry and warm. He was running almost 30 minutes late on the third
loop of the second lap and the pit crew were ready to a splash of fuel to get
him into the time check before he was out of time. Then we all had an anxious
wait at the finish check to see if he could make it back again in time! He did
& not only won the class but he was the only veteran to finish the second
day. After six hours of battle the riders still in the event were only
too glad to see the final check after two a gruelling days in the French
mountains, They were extremely tired, covered from head to toe in mud and
there were hardly any knobbles left on the bike tyres!
Unfortunately the rain that was forecast arrived and the 400 strong entry
of riders were greeted with steady rain and foggy skies on Saturday morning
that never relented throughout the course of the weekend. Starting as last
rider away in Junior E2, Phillip would be faced with a challenge of not only
negotiating the quickly deteriorating course but also trying to work his way
past the many fallen riders that littered the special tests. Nevertheless he
made the best of his surroundings to place a very hard earned 5th place in
Junior E2. Although it was another outstanding result from the Electraction TM
UK rider he was understandably disappointed as his only clear run through a
test earned him joint fastest time with class leader and fellow TM rider
Yannick Bossi.
Electraction TMUK is supported by Moonraker Masonary, Gannomat UK,
Kleenrite, HydraMaster and CCM Racing, with product support from Fox Racing,
Renthal, Elf Lubricants, Metzeler, MotoShox suspension and Lappin Performance.