Supersonic Mika Ahola in Sardinia

From ABC-WEC

 

IGLESIAS - In Sardinia, WEC's mechanics were severely tested. Solicited in the long portions of rally, or mistreated in the stones which strew the course, the motorbikes suffered during this second day of the GRAND PRIX SURFLEX OF ITALY. Among the many DNF of the day, let us quote those of David KNIGHT (GB-BMW), victim of clutch problems, and the beginner Taddy BLAZUSIAK (POL-KTM) whose clutch cover was damaged. The notion of enduro prevailed over this third meeting of the season, the stars of MAXXIS FIM WEC had at the same time to spare their machines and to resist physically on the track, in particular in the interminable Enduro Test, a special test of 7.5 kms traced on a mountain lane.

 

The best rider in this timed portion is incontestably the winner of category ENDURO 1, the Finn Mika AHOLA (SF-HM). Invincible in this test, his excellent times also enable him to be affirmed like the fastest man of the weekend in the overall. In the great tradition of the Italian enduro riders, Simone ALBERGONI (ITA-KTM) is not awkward either in Enduro Test. The Italian offers a beautiful reaction this second day and takes down the best Italian result of the event by taking the 2nd place, 25 seconds behind Ahola. One moment in second position, then finally third, Antoine MEO (FRA-HVA) have represented throughout the day a threat for the Italian, whom he succeeds for 12 seconds.

 

For the anecdote, the day of Johnny AUBERT (FRA-KTM) started with a serious fall in the training test, to show that the leader of the ENDURO 2 is quite human. But for the rest of the day, the KTM factory rider did not leave the shade of a hope to his adversaries. In spite of some mishaps with his tank cap, he easily wins a 6th consecutive victory, and keeps the only unbeaten rider on 2009 MAXXIS FIM WEC. The first opponents of Aubert are at 1 minute 25 seconds behind. Held in the same second all over the day, the former Junior world champions Joakim LJUNGGREN (SWE-HSB) and Cristobal GUERRERO (ESP-YAM) were decided between in the last hour of race. The Swede second benefits from the problems of the Spanish, obstructed by a latecomer rider and retrogressed in the 6th final place. This mishap also profits to Juha SALMINEN (SF-BMW), third of a tight E2.

 

In ENDURO 3, after first of the three laps of race, Ivan CERVANTES (ESP-KTM) had made the break on his adversaries. When the ground keeps dry, as this second day, the Spaniard rides a tone above the category, in particular in the Cross Test. Cervantes is faster than Sebastien GUILLAUME (FRA-HVA) for 16 seconds. The gaps in the big-engine class are large, and Samuli ARO (SF-KTM) third profited from the unfitness of Christophe NAMBOTIN (FRA-GAS) in the last lap of race to precede him by 25 seconds.

 

Ivan CERVANTES: " I'm very happy because I took the lead of this day since this morning, preceding Sébastien Guillaume who is really fast here. He'll be a main rival for me this season, he proved it yesterday. Today we did the same times in the Enduro Test but I was faster in the Cross. I'm happy because it was a hard race, that I leave as a leader with 18 points of advance. It's positive and I wait for next event in Finland."
 
Oriol MENA (ESP-YAM) and Jérémy JOLY (FRA-HM) made a remake of the day before in the JUNIOR class. However leader all the day, Joly has to incline himself in front of the incredible time of his Spanish rival in last Enduro Test. While inflicting 21 seconds to him in one test, he steals at the same time the victory. Mirko GRITTI (ITA-BETA) takes the third place of the category of less than 23 years.