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enduro
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Tom Sagar |
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Tom Sagar - European Champion The final round of the European championship was set to be the toughest yet, two days of enduro and a final motorcross on day three. The course consisted of approximately 25 mile of rocky trails, leading to and enduro test, extreme and cross country tests. It was set to test all riders. Day one Tom knew he had to push for a good result to improve his chances of winning the E2 championship, with the course suiting Tom he was able to give himself a lead over second placed Andrea Beconi. It was Brit Jamie Lewis who was going to give Tom a run for his money, with the pair swapping times throughout the day. Tom ended the day with a 4.17 second lead after 12 timed tests. After heavy rain over night the course had deteriorated, so the organisers made the decision to delay the start and cut the days racing by one lap. Tom found himself in a battle with French rider Romain Dumontier and Jamie Lewis. The three riders consistently changed places throughout the day, leaving everyone guessing the result until the final test. Tom finishing 3rd in class by 0.34 of a second, behind second place. Tom commented “Its been a tough couple of days, very close racing but I knew what I needed to do and that was making sure Beconi was behind me and not in front. The event has been an really hard enduro, hopefully my motorcross skills will not let me down tomorrow”. Day three, riders had a short run out to the motorcross track. Running the same format as the ISDE, the running of classes was reversed. Riders would run for 8 laps of a 2 minute course to decide the day’s results. Tom had the pick of the gate as championship leader, after the first corner Tom was 4th, passing 3rd place to hold a strong position until the end of the race. Passing the line in 3rd position and being crowned E2 European Champion. Tom commented “I am really please to be crowned E2 champion, it’s been hard work. I honestly thought I had ruined my chances when I injured my thumb. I can’t thank my sponsors, family and friends enough, without all of their support this wouldn’t have been possible, THANK YOU”. Natterjack BEC – With a three week gap between events I took the opportunity to rest my thumb completely. I knew after the bad results at Abbey Enduro, that my British title was hanging in the balance and only two days of good results would keep me as a contender. I managed to finish 3rd on both of the days, with Jamie McCanney winning both days, pushing the title decision to the final round in November, where I must finish 5th overall or above. Czech Republic UEM – Still carrying my injury I knew this round was going to be particularly difficult. I also knew that I had to push as best as I could to collect as many points as possible to retain my lead. I finished 4th in class on day one and 3rd on day two, enabling me to retain the lead with just two points in it, heading to Portugal for the last round which is three days. Abbey Enduro BEC – This is my own club event and I have a lot to do with the organising and course layout, but this year wasn’t to be my year at Abbey. A week before the event whilst at a training school for the Welsh ISDE team, I lost the front end of the bike and placed my hand out to break the fall. In the process I forced the thumb back on its self, tearing the ligaments. I worked very closely with Noel at Border Physio to repair/ease the ligaments enabling me to compete at the Abbey. The course was very demanding, with struggling to hold onto the bike I finished 8th overall and 4th in class both days. Knighton Enduro BEC- A typical welsh enduro with an classic enduro test and open grassland test, I knew I needed to push at this event in order to extend my lead in both the overall and class championship. Jamie McCanney and I had a very close fight on all the tests throughout day one and I took the overall day one position. Day two I knew Jamie was going to push for the win, he had increased his pace from the previous day and I was unable to catch him, finishing second overall, still leading both championships. Welsh Two Day Enduro – Not the best of Welsh’s I struggled with the tests being super slick due to heavy rain arriving before the Championship class were due at the tests. Winning two out of the 6 tests on day one wasn’t enough, making it a difficult job on day two. Day two I won three of the tests but it wasn’t enough to pull me higher up than finishing 4th overall and best centre rider and KTM UK claiming the manufactures award.
After the excellent results achieved at the first round of the UEM, Tom was apprehensive about the second round and whether the same results could be achieved. Just 4 hours from Calais, Bar sur Seine had put on variant of tests, two cross tests and a enduro test. After walking the tests on both Thursday and Friday, Tom knew the tests would suit him as they weren’t too motocross orientated. Day one started with glorious sunshine, the heat would prove difficult on the riders. Each lap consisted of a 66km hard going, which was made more difficult with the intense heat. Tom started steady on the first two cross tests, it wasn’t until the first timed enduro test that tom managed to pull a decent lead ahead of second place, allowing him to ride cautiously to maintain the lead in the class. With a 28 second margin Tom finished top of the class and 3rd overall. The days event and weather had taken its toll on the bike, Tom and many other riders struggled to change the tyre mousses at the end of the day, due to the heat swelling the mousses. Day two course had changed considerably as rain over night had dampened the tests, to make them extremely slippy on the first lap. Tom started well given himself a 4 second lead after 2 tests. But on lap two, Toms luck momentarily disappeared with crashes on all three of the tests, jeopardising Toms lead in the class. With only a small margin of a lead, Tom knew that last lap had to count, managing to extend his lead to 16 seconds kept him top of the class to take, two class wins over the two days. Tom commented “Its been a hard weekend, today (day two) has been really frustrating, with the three crashes this cost me the overall win for the day, there was nothing I could do, but on the plus side I have bagged the class win on both days and that’s what I really came here to do”. Tom now leads the Senior E2 championship standings by 14 points.
Sagar at the double – again TOM SAGAR (Colwyn Bay KTM 450EXC) continued his winning ways at the Helmsley Enduro at the weekend, winning both days convincingly. Sagar won every test on both days, in fact won the first day by a fair 47 seconds and so holds a perfect score of 80 to head the outright table after two rounds of the 2013 British Enduro Championship. Sagar’s nearest challenger was Daryl Bolter (Crescent KTM 350EXC) who placed second both days while Jamie Lewis (Edmondson Racing Proseal HM Moto CRE-F450R) had to overcome an early crash to secure third on day one – only to be overhauled by Jamie McCanney (Midwest Husaberg TE125) for the final podium on day two. McCanney holds the championship lead in E1 two-strokes while Jack Rowland (MPS Husqvarna TE250R) scored his own double to lead the E1 four-stroke championship. Sagar leads the E2 class, while Frazer Norrie (KTM 300EXC) twice placed runner-up to Jonny Walker (KTM 300EXC) to maintain the lead in the E3 championship. The Experts were again a hard fought class with Rob Johnson and Joe Wooten sharing wins but Johnson now leads the championship. In the Clubman class Lee Sealey took a pair of wins over Jack Staines to build a decent lead in the championship standings. Tom Sagar: “Very pleased with that. I planned to go out each day with a fast first couple of tests then gradually ease back to preserve the bike and make sure of the finish. I know I can always expect a good challenge from Daryl and the two Jamies but I seem to have the speed for now, and coming from the win in the European championship I had a lot of confidence. I’m really enjoying my bike as well. I can’t get complacent though and I’ll be doing a lot of practice – especially on grass tests – in preparation for the next round (Knighton).” Dusty Martin, ACU: “Full credit to John Kerwin and the Dirtbike Action team for putting on an excellent round. I’m glad John at last got some good weather – third time lucky – so as to be able to show what a great event the Helmsley Enduro can be. Having put together a good 25 mile lap plus a fun short-sharp (second) test right next to the refuel, all the ingredients were there for an event that entertained the riders and the spectators. It was great to see a very healthy 160-rider entry as well – everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. An excellent weekend and now we’re really looking forward to more of the same at the Knighton Enduro in July!”
After the long drive from mid Wales to the village of Brussi sul Trino, the Italian community welcomed the enduro with open arms, and the sun was shining which was a bonus. The enduro consisted of a 56 km lap with two time checks, a cross test and a enduro test. Each test would present Tom with very different challenges, the motocross test was looking to be a very fast full on motocross track, yet the enduro test Tom would be able to use his trial skills to tackle the rock sections, but carry speed at the same time. Day one Tom was surprised by the pace of the front runners and struggled on the cross test which put pressure on himself to perform well on the enduro test. Tom used the untimed enduro test on lap one to his advantage and was able to set the quickest time on the enduro test in his class.
Day two Tom took 7 seconds off his time for the cross test, surprising himself by setting a 3rd fastest time twice and winning a cross test outright. Tom also dominated the enduro test by wining all three outright. Tom commented “I was happy with my day one result, but I wasn’t expecting my result today. I knew I needed to up my game to compete with the front runners, I worked a lot harder to push, and this shows though in the result”.
Sagar scoops win at first round of the Welsh enduro championship. Llyn Y Waun Enduro, first round the championship was hosted by Builth MCC based at Hundred House Mid Wales. The enduro followed a simple figure of eight course approximately 15 miles long, using both forestry and moorland. Tom was the first man off the start, followed by Carl Jones and Joe Chambers, these three completed the championship class. A short check through clear fell woodland, would test the riders ability as the check tightened from 25 minutes down to 13 minutes. Tom set out to ride the check, knowing he would have to push the clear the check on lap 5, luckily the times proved not to be too tight and was going to be a enjoyable ride for all competitors. The first lap around the special test was untimed and was virgin ground. Tom commented “The test is good, it’s going to be interesting, there’s a few tricky off camber sections, and the fern is proving very slippery”. The first timed test Tom pulled out a 17 second lead over Carl Jones. The second test, Tom struggled for grip on the first half of the test, over the ferns but extended his lead by a further 3 seconds. Tom went onto win tests three and five, test four Tom’s bike slid from under him, costing him a four seconds. Tom finished the day clinching the win of the first round of the championship. Tom commented “what a cracking event, simple layout, all viewable for the support crews. The test was mega, it was a shame I struggled for grip, I think it suited two strokes better today, I’m pleased that I was able to take the win, the bike is superb. I’m ready to head off to the first round of the Europeans now, and see how my luck holds out. Thank you to all my sponsors and family for their help so far, well done to all at Builth club for running a well run enduro.
Tom Sagar, the 2012 British E2 champion and twice former outright champion, took a commanding double (outright) victory at at the opening round of the 2013 ACU British Enduro Championship at the Elgin Enduro in Moray, Scotland over the Easter bank holiday weekend. After sub-zero temperatures and snows had repeatedly blasted the northern regions of the UK over recent weeks, the BEC found itself blessed with the first sunny skies and warm temperatures of Spring as the Elgin Endurance Club provided a testing course through the pine forests that border Scotland’s north eastern coast. With a deep sand base to the forest the going was physically testing and the eight-minute cross-country test was tough too, but all to Sagar’s liking as he took two comfortable victories ahead of Jamie Lewis and Daryl Bolter. Tom Sagar: “That went better than expected. I expected Jamie Lewis to go well in the sand and with Jamie McCanney coming back from wins in the world championship I expected a hot pace from him as well, but as it went I had plenty of pace. “I think the going helped me, it was physically tough being around 22 miles long – repeated three times – and all of it in sand forest. That's hard going, probably harder than any course you’ll find in the world championship. There was literally no let up. But I enjoyed it and letting it all hang out in the eight minute test was fun. For the new team – Colwyn Bay KTM UK – it was a dream start to the season.” Dusty Martin, ACU Steward of the Meeting: “The organising club, the Elgin Endurance Club, put on an excellent event. They were hit by a considerable and unexpected technical hurdle right from the very beginning on Saturday, but they responded well to save the event to put together a revised course and a time schedule befitting a national enduro. “In fact it was an excellent start to the national championship with a good entry enjoying a fantastic location in warm and sunny conditions. The racing was similarly first class and bodes well for an exciting championship year.” Provisional championship class results attached; for full results refer to www.scottishenduros.co.uk.com
With the weather staying dry, Thetford forest provided a dry but chilly enduro. Up at the crack of dawn gave Tom chance to view the special test, to identify any areas which may be tricky. The championship class were scheduled to complete 6 laps and two special tests, both timed, so full attacked was needed to secure a lead. The event started at 9.00am, four riders per minute meant Tom was in good company with fellow championship class rider and sponsor Chris Hockey led the field away. A ten minute ride out to the test gave Tom chance to settle into the bike and prepare for the against the clock timing. Tom was the first rider onto the test, the test was slippery but didn’t cause any issues. After a lap out on the going brought Tom and the championship class returning to the test, before completing four laps back to back of the going, with times getting increasing tight. The second test was more rutted as the whole field had passed through, this had improved the tracks enabling more speed to be carried. Tom commented “I was nervous starting the event as I hadn’t ridden against some of the lads since last year. It felt good to win both of the tests, even though it was by a small margin, but I knew it was going to be hard competing against Daryl Bolter (Crescent KTM) at the munjac stomping ground. The bike felt good, it ran smoothly, im looking forward to the first round of the British”. Results
After the break over the Christmas holidays, the Snowrun Enduro was the perfect event to blow out any cobwebs. As in previous years the weather was unkind to the WTRA club but none the less they put a good event, which tested all classes. With Toms transition back to a KTM UK/Colwyn Bay supported bike complete he was ready to test the bike at an event. He commented before the event “I’ve been out a number of times over the Christmas period, getting to know the bike and making adjustments to suit my riding style. The bike is good straight from the box so ive only had to make little rider tweaks” Tom and Gethin Price where the first riders off the start line, into the 25 enduro lap which as championship class the riders were to complete four times, with three timed special tests. Tom had a good start, feeling at ease on the KTM and happy with the bike no setup changes were needed so Tom just needed to ride for a top finish. The first test of the event was used as a sighting lap, so all eyes were set to the second test for a competitive time. Tom took the test win 3.5 seconds over Edmondson Racing’s Jamie Lewis. As the day progressed the weather had taken its toll on the course and had made it demanding for all riders. This meant that on the second timed test, there were back markers in the test when the championship rider arrived. With little room to overtake Tom dropped a second to Jamie Lewis, dropping the margin between the riders to 2.5 seconds with one test left. With a clear run on the last test Tom clinched his first win on the Colwyn Bay KTM UK. Results Thank you to the organising team at WTRA for a good event, please can we have sunshine next year. Photo Gemma James  
Sagar returns to KTM with Colwyn Bay Motorcycles We are delighted to confirm that Colwyn Bay Motorcycles, with the support of KTM UK, will be sponsoring the massively talented Tom Sagar throughout 2013. Having spent the last few seasons on converted Japanese machinery, which Tom would like to thank all previous sponsors for, he has now decided to return to a purpose-built enduro bike. After rigorous tests on various models, Tom has decided that the KTM 450 EXC is the bike for him. Ian Smart, Off Road Manager at Colwyn Bay Motorcycles commented, "Sponsoring Tom has been such a straightforward process as the majority of Tom's previous product supporters have been more than happy to continue backing him. We are excited about the 2013 season together and anticipate it's going to be very busy, with the sole target being the Enduros." With the 2013 season rapidly approaching, and after much deliberation, Team Sagar has decided to miss the pre-season extreme events leaving it to the extreme specialists and will spend time preparing for the enduro events ahead instead. In 2013 Tom will contest the British Enduro Championship, British Sprint Enduro Championship, European Enduro Championship, Welsh Enduro Championship and, if and when dates allow, select North and South England Enduro Championship rounds. The team's first competitive outing is likely to be the Snowrun, 3rd February, followed by the Diss National, 24th February. To celebrate Tom's return to KTM we will be selling a very small run of 20 Sagar Editions for January and February only. Other than suspension settings, these will be the exact specification as Tom's race bike. The bikes will be built to order and the replicas are not just limited to the 450 EXC. At the end of February, one lucky owner will be drawn out of a hat and they'll win a 1-2-1 day with Tom to ride and be trained by him!
The Sagar team, his specially designed KTM and Colwyn Bay Motorcycles will be appearing together for the first time at WOR Events International Tough One, January 12th, at Nantmawr quarry. Tom will be available throughout the day to answer questions and will be giving away signed posters at the KTM truck between the morning and afternoon races. For regular race results and updates please Like the Colwyn Bay
Motorcycles Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/colwyn.bay.motorcycles
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HELMSLEY
Tom
commented “Today’s pace has surprised me, it’s been 7 years since I last
rode in a European championship, there’s some quick lads here, I’ll need
to up my game for tomorrow. Overall I’m happy with my performance, but I’m
hoping for a better overall result tomorrow”.
Welsh
Enduro Championship Round One
2013
ACU British Enduro Championship
Top
Stand at Stanton
Snowrun
2013
