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Husaberg’s #1 enduro rider Joakim Ljunggren claims his best ever IEWC result with a fantastic runner-up performance in Vigo, Spain
Despite the fact that his extreme enduro track in Sweden has been covered in deep snow for many weeks, Joakim Ljunggren continued his impressive form in the ’10 Indoor Enduro World Cup series finishing as overall runner-up to Taddy Blazusiak at the penultimate round of the series in Vigo, Spain. One of only a few riders to look completely at home on the challenging track, Joakim narrowly escaped a trip to the local hospital when he crashed heavily half way down the start straight at the beg inning of the third final. Thankfully he was able to continue and after charging from dead last to an impressive fourth place result he secured a fantastic overall runner-up result.

“There’s so much snow at home in Sweden that I’ve not been able to do any real practice since the last event in Genoa,” explained Joakim after his impressive performances in Vigo. “I’ve ridden at an indoor supercross track a few times, which I guess helped. I have a great extreme enduro track at home but I’ve hardly been able to use it. A few days before coming to Vigo some friends helped me clear away the snow so I did manage to do one day of extreme training, but that was with spiked winter tyres.”

No one in Vigo would have known that Joakim’s preparations for the event had been hampered by the sub-zero weather at his home in Sweden as the FE 390 mounted rider instantly looked at ease with the track, recording the second fastest lap time during the practice session. Going on to claim a comfortable win in his qualifying heat race Joakim took to the start of the first final confident of more good results.

“From the first time I got to ride the track I felt great. I had the fastest time in my practice group and only Taddy Blazusiak was faster than me, so that was an almost perfect start. I lead my qualifying race from start to finish and didn’t make any mistakes so that gave me a lot of confidence going into the finals. Finishing second in the first final was great. I had one of those races where almost everything went well. The second final was also good so I knew going into the third final that a good result would give me second overall.”

With one hand on the overall runner-up prize Joakim’s hopes of securing his best ever IEWC result were almost ended soon after the start of the third final. Clashing with Spaniard Cristobal Guerrero and Finn Mika Ahola as he charged down the start straight, Joakim found himself hitting the ground hard, and then being ridden over by Guerrero.

“I had a good jump off the start but then I came together with Cristobal Guerrero and Mika Ahola half way down the start straight,” explained Joakim. “I hit the ground hard, Guerrero rode over my back, my bike got twisted, and I was last. I had to push really hard the whole race because I really wanted second overall. I worked my way up to fourth quite quickly, and was catching the rider ahead of me.”

Although making some mistakes during the final lap Joakim finished the race fourth and with blood dripping from his left arm secured the overall runner-up result.
“All things considered I’m really happy with the way I’ve performed. I was fighting hard in every final and to finish second overall is a great way to start the New Year. One of the hardest things to do is find good lines in indoor events and I managed to do that, which really helped me because my starts weren’t great in every final. Taddy is the only rider that I feel is really a level ahead of me now. I’ve really enjoyed the IEWC series so far and would love to get another good result at the final in Barcelona.”

Mixed fortunes for home riders Mena and Galindo
Enduro Junior World Champion Oriol Mena had much to be pleased about at the end of the Vigo event as he qualified for the event finals – a first for the Spaniard in the ’10 IEWC series. Although not challenging for podium results Mena gained valuable experience having come through a nail biting LCQ race to qualify for the main events.

“I’m really pleased to have qualified for the finals. My results weren’t great but it was important for me to qualify and gain experience, which I did,” explained Mena. “I had some great starts and I’m really pleased with everything. I had to go to the LCQ race to move into the finals and it was a really close race. I took the lead but made a mistake close to the finish so I only just won. My performances in the finals weren’t great, and I had some problems with arm pump, but I really enjoyed the event and am looking forward to Barcelona now.”

Disappointingly Xavi Galindo’s night ended prematurely following a crash in the first final. Finishing the race in 11th position Xavi was then taken to hospital with a possible dislocated left thumb.