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All
the
great names of World Enduro and works teams, together with the
top Greek drivers, show up in an exciting race, in the divine
Greek nature of Serres, the weekend of 8 and 9 October 2005.
The Auto-Moto Club of Serres promote the eighth round of the 2005
MAXXIS FIM Enduro World Championship on behalf of FMN ELPA.
Ivan Cervantes (ESP–KTM) became Spain’s newest World Champion by
winning the Enduro 1 class on day one of the Maxxis Greek Grand Prix
held at Serres, and Samuli Aro (SF-KTM) and David Knight (GB-KTM) were
crowned World
Champions in their respective E2 and E3 classes at the end of the
second day.
The expert team of LAMS, provide
a technical route, in the region
of Serres mountains.
*** Updated 9/9/2005 ***
- Results by stage, Overall, class etc
- Knight video
- Merriman, Knight, Cervantes, Oblucki, Bolter and Stapleton live
Interviews!
- Photos of the day
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First
Day Saturday 8/9/2005: The Hero of Spain, Ivan Cervantes – E1 World
Champion
Ivan Cervantes (ESP–KTM) became Spain’s newest World Champion by
winning the Enduro 1 class on day one of the Maxxis Greek Grand Prix
held at Serres, much to the delight of his Farioli Factory KTM team,
the hordes of expectant Spanish media who had come to Serres especially
and the ever enthusiastic local Greek spectators.
The likeable Spaniard was overcome with joy as he parked his bike in
parc ferme and visably moved he said:
“Today has been a fantastic day! On the first lap, I was nervous
as I knew I would be penalised heavily if I made a silly mistake.
Bartoz (Oblucki) was riding very fast and my team advised me – don’t
worry finish second and think of the championship, but when I saw Marc
(Germain) was struggling in 5th place, I knew I had to push for a win
that would give me the title this afternoon.
I am very, very happy of course but I am delighted also for my team and
for all of my Spanish supporters.
The team have helped me to win the title this year by motivating me to
train on the bike regardless of the weather conditions. In the past
when it rained, I slept!
Fabio Farioli made me realise that to be champion, you must be
consistent and able to win under any conditions, so last winter I did
everything that they told me to, I have been consistent all year and
now I am World Champion – it’s perfect!”
In the other classes, Stefan Merriman (AUS-Yamaha) delivered a
devastating performance in the Enduro 2 class to claim 1st place and
David Knight (GB-KTM) rode another perfect race to inch ever closer to
his first ever World Championship title.
Meanwhile in Enduro Junior, unassuming Australian Jake Stapleton
(AUS-TM) claimed a spectacular win by just over 1 second on the very
last special test of the day.
Enduro
1
Cervantes’ initial nervousness allowed Bartoz Oblucki (PL-Yamaha) to
initially lead the class, but after watching Marc Germain tumble
(unusually) down the order, the Spaniard upped his pace to claim the
win.
With Germain finishing in 5th place, mathematically Cervantes was
unbeatable in the E2 title chase.
Oblucki said afterwards:
“Ever since France, we have been making improvements and changes to my
bike.
In Finland, I went a bit faster then I went faster again in the ISDE
and now I feel that I am ready to challenge for a race win.
Ivan was extra motivated today for sure, but now that he is champion, I
can’t wait for tomorrow!”
The 3rd spot on the podium fell to Cervantes’ team mate Alessandro
Belometti (I-KTM) who magnanimously joined in the huge celebrations for
his team mate despite his own excellent result.
Enduro 2
Merriman’s ride in Enduro 2 was outstanding with some highly
spectacular riding especially in the Enduro test.
At the prize giving he said:
“This is a great race for a rider; challenging tests, superb weather, a
sensible time schedule and great organisation.
I’ve had a good day and done everything I can to keep the pressure on
Samuli for the title chase."
Arch rival Samuli Aro (SF-KTM) finished a distant 2nd but was happy
with his plan for the weekend as another 2nd place behind Merriman
tomorrow would ensure his E2 World Championship.
Valtteri Salonen (F-Honda) was 3rd and the smiling Finn commented: “Yes
it’s brilliant to finish on the podium again, but now I have to ride as
fast as Merriman to go any further; that’s a lot more difficult!”.
Enduro
3
Both David Knight (GB-KTM) and team mate Marko Tarkkala suffered
problems with their bikes in the numerous river crossing of the Enduro
test, but ultimately it didn’t alter their usual one-two respective
finishing order.
Knight said:
“I’ve taken it fairly steady today as I am aware that one silly
mistake could ruin my title hopes.
I’m planning the same tomorrow and if that goes okay, then I’ll relax”.
Tarkkala smiled as he admitted:
“I won’t give up until David has definitely won the title – at
the moment I can still win it and that’s how I’m going to continue to
think”.
Sebastian Guilluame (F-Gas Gas) meanwhile took another E3 3rd place to
consolidate his strong position in the overall championship standings.
Enduro Junior
After riding well all day, Daryl Bolter (GB-HVA) was philosophical
after his cruel defeat on the last test and said:
“Jake pulled out all the stops when he needed to; fair play to him he
deserved to win”
A noticeably grinning Stapleton said at parc ferme:
“I’m stoked that I’ve finally won one. It helps to heal the
wounds from France where it was my turn to be very unlucky on the last
test”.
Stapleton’s Electraction Team Manager Nick Craigy was also delighted
commenting:
“We’ve been very close to winning all year and the whole team is
ecstatic that Jake’s hard work has finally paid off. We’re ordering
extra drinks for tomorrow night!”
Oriol Mena (ESP-Gas Gas) took 3rd place and upheld his team’s honours
as 2005 Enduro Junior World Champion Cristobal Guerreo made the move to
the E2 class finishing a creditable 7th at his first attempt
Downloads
Saturday results, stage by
stage.
Saturday Results, Overall.
Saturday Results, Overall by
class.
Interviews & Video
Knight Video.
Merriman - 1st
Overall & 1st E2
Cervantes - 2
Overall & 1st E1
Knight - 3st
Overall & 1st E3
Oblucki - 5st
Overall & 2nd E1
Stapleton - 1st
Junior
Bolter - 2nd Junior
Second
Day Sunday 9/9/2005: Aro & Knight are World Champions!
Samuli Aro (SF-KTM) and David Knight (GB-KTM) were crowned World
Champions in their respective E2 and E3 classes at the end of the
second day of the Maxxis Greek Grand Prix in Serres.
Both Aro and Knight were mobbed by team personnel and photographers at
the end of the final Xtreme test and the two KTM factory riders joined
team mate Ivan Cervantes (ESP-KTM) who claimed the E1 crown yesterday.
Aro has won the World Championship title twice before in 2002 and 2004,
but no doubt Knight and Cervantes will harbour pleasant memories of
their first title win here in Greece for many years to come.
For KTM, the weekend in Serres was a dream come true, with total
domination in the world of Enduro at the highest possible level.
In addition to the three individual riders’ titles, Team Farioli KTM
clinched the Teams title and KTM also claimed the Manufacturers title
for the E1 and E3 classes.
Only the E2 Manufacturers title remains to be settled at Schilpario in
Italy next weekend.
At parc ferme, Aro commented
“This championship has been different than the others.
I was not always the fastest, but at the end I was the best and
consistency has counted more than ever.
Merriman, Planet and Pohjamo have all been very fast this year, and
then they had bad accidents.
I crashed too, but was lucky to escape a serious injury and so I was
able to win the title again”.
Meanwhile, Knight was visibly moved at the finish reception he
received, but grinned as he explained:
“I’m absolutely made up! I’ve spent a long time finishing second, but
this time I’ve done it.
I was really nervous earlier today so I’m glad it’s all done now and I
can look forward to a relaxing time in Italy next weekend.
It’s been good right from the start this time!”
The actual race winners on day two were; Cervantes E1, Stefan Merriman
(Aus-Yamaha) E2 and Knight E3.
In Enduro Junior, Australian Jake Stapleton (AUS-TM) claimed the second
win of his Enduro Junior career to make his trip to Serres truly
memorable.
Enduro
1
Cervantes’ confidence was obviously bolstered by his 1st World title
and he simply destroyed the opposition on day 2, leading in true style.
He entertained the crowd with ‘Mike Metzger style’ aerobatics over the
high jumps of the Xtreme test and generally confirmed his status as a
true number 1.
Team mate Alessandro Belometti (I-KTM) improved his day one position by
holding off Bartoz Oblucki (PL-Yamaha) for 2nd place and these superb
results only served to further the feeling of well being chez Team
Farioli KTM.
Enduro 2
Merriman’s ride in Enduro 2 was once again outstanding but the plucky
Australian was powerless to stop Aro claiming the title.
In a truly magnanimous gesture he was one of the first people to reach
Aro at the end of the final test and congratulate him.
Later he said “It’s been a strange year although nobody can take
anything away from Samuli, he was always there when it counted and
that’s why he’s champion today”.
Aro took a distant but calculated 2nd place and yet another Team
Farioli KTM rider Alessandro Botturi was 3rd.
Enduro 3
If he was nervous, Knight certainly showed no sign of it as he steadily
pulled away from team mate Marko Tarkkala (SF-KTM), pausing only to
perform a burn-out on the final obstacle of last Xtreme test when in
sight of the finish.
Tarkkala was still smiling as he said
“David is a worthy champion today but I will be back to try again next
year for sure.”
3rd place went to the ecstatic Xavier Galindo (ESP-KTM) who showed that
his Rookie Challenge wins were no fluke.
“To finish 3rd behind Knight and Tarkkala is like a victory for me, I
am very, very happy with my performance today” said the likeable
Spaniard who is set to receive extra support from KTM Spain next year
which could possibly see him becoming a regular podium visitor in 2006.
Enduro
Junior
Stapleton’s second win in a row saw him positively grinning from ear to
ear at the prize giving as he explained
“We made some setup adjustments so that I could go faster on the Enduro
test today and they worked really well. To win two Grand Prix races one
after another is just brilliant for me and makes all the effort
worthwhile”.
Daryl Bolter (GB-HVA) and Oriol Mena (ESP-Gas Gas) repeated their day 1
positions in 2nd & 3rd respectively although Stapleton’s winning
margin was much greater than on day 1.
Visit official WEC site www.abc-wec.com,
and Serres organizer at www.lams.gr.
The final round of the Maxxis FIM World Enduro Championship will be
held at Schilpario in Italy on the 15th & 16th of October.
In the meantime you can watch all the highlights from this weekend’s
Maxxis Greek Grand Prix on Motors TV
from Thursday 13th October, check your listings guide for times or
visit www.motorstv.com.
Downloads
Sunday results, stage by
stage.
Sunday Results, Overall by
class.
Saturday Pictures
3/10/2005
A top race by Automobile and Motorbike Club of Seres (LAMS)
Greece is the Paradise of enduro enthusiasts, because all the mountain
trails are open to them, with no limitations.
This free entrance to all the mountains of Greece offers to enduro
riders endless choices of routes, with all kinds of terrains, and
levels of difficulty.
In this ideal habitat we have created variable enduro tracks
(difficult, technical demanding and fast – open country).
Our respect to the mountain environment was the reason we had close
cooperation with local ecological society, so it was possible to create
forest tracks, without jeopardize nature stability.
Serres is major city of northern Greece with immediate connection with
Thessalonica throe the new Egnatia road (which - when it will be
complete - will also connect Serres with Igoumenitsa port).
The beauty of local nature, like Lailas Mountain and ecological
protected (Natura 2000) Kerkini Lake, both full of wild life natural
habitats, makes Serres an ideal ecological oriented tourist destination.
Especially our local mountain – Lailas is optimal for
various kinds of enduro tracks: Dry or muddy gravel trails, farms,
stony up hills, rivers full of large rocks and forest – dustless -
routes, compose an original enduro racing landscape!
In Greece the ratio of motorbike owners (compare to the general
population) is one of the higher in the world.
Here in Serres we love motorcycles and especially enduro bikes. The
local authorities and population are offering maximum support to our
effort to deal with problems like race safety, ecological worries and
general local society upset.
The “headquarters” of the race are in the speed track of Serres (an
establishment that make us proud).
There will be placed the paddocks, the parc-ferme and the course
secretariat. In the Kart track (just beside the main track) which
belongs to LAMS will be held secondary services.
LAMS have successfully organized international races in the past like
WEC, World and European supermotard championship and valkanian speed
races.
Our love for enduro racing and our experience in international events,
in combination with the natural beauty of our place and the outstanding
substructure of our city are quarantine an excellent race!
Greece, the last enduro paradise in
Europe, is welcoming WEC!
Latest
Downloads
Race Route
Directions [From the National Road] [From Thessaloniki Airport]
Race Leaflet (PDF~2,6MB).
Entry List.
Standings before race.
Video spot (wmv~1.4MB).
The event will be held in accordance with the Sporting Code of the FIM
together with the relevant Appendices, these Supplementary Regulations
and any final Instructions approved by the International Jury.
Entries must be made on the official entry form and sent to the
Secretariat of the meeting, together with the entry fee of CHF 250.- (€
170.-) for the 2 days.
Bank account: GR22 0540
0310 0000 6824 6011 018
SWIFT BIC CODE : PRNKGRAA
All entries must be received by 8th of September 2005.
All riders not affiliated to the promoting FMN must have their entry
form endorsed by their own National FMN.
Race paddocks, will be open for the participants, Wednesday 5 October,
at 14:00.
The Friday 7 of October at 11:00, will be the reconnaissance of race
and Technical inspection will take place 14:00 – 17:00 same day at
CIRCUIT OF SERRES.
First rider will start at 09:00 of 8 October, and he will have do 3
laps on a course of 65 kilometers, that will include, one CT test, one
ET test and one XT test.
The same program will be followed the next day, Sunday, October 9th..
The Prize-Giving Ceremony will take place each day in the start area
immediately after the final classified rider of the day has arrived at
the finish.
Sponsors of Maxxis FIM World Enduro Championship – Serres, Greece race
are: Maxxis Hllas, Ufo, Scott,
Oxtar, Putoline, Xausa, ACD, Tommi, Hebo, CRD, ESZ, Ohlins, France
Equipment, Ariete, Gas-Gas, Beta, Yamaha, ΚΤΜ, TM, HM, Husqvarna.
Communication sponsors are: 0-300
Mag, 2Wheels mag, Εndurο.gr and Motorsite.gr, Off-Road.gr
You can find all the race info and
news at Off-Road.gr every day.
ACCESS
Nearest port: IGOUMENITSA 450 km.
Information: www.minoan.gr
For truck reservations with 20% discount from Italy to Greece (2nd to
5th of October 2005) and from Greece to Italy (10th and 11th of October
2005), please contact.
Email: cargo@minoan.gr.
Fax 0030 210 4145715
Nearest airport: THESSALONIKI 100 km.
Motorway: E - 90 Exit: To Serres
National road: E - 79
Nearest town: SERRES at 2 km.
Organiser:
Name (Club): Auto – Moto club of
Serres
Address: Parko Omonias Serres 62125
Tel. no.: 0030 6946 50 6666
Fax no.: 0030 23210 36301
E-mail: elpidaht@otenet.gr
Internet: www.lams.gr
Accommodation service:
Name: Konstantinidis Christos
Address: Merarhias 66 Serres
Tel. no.: 0030 6946 50 6666
Fax no.: 0030 23210 36301
E-mail: elpidaht@otenet.gr
Internet: www.serrestown.com
Secretariat of the event:
Address: Parko Omonias Serres 62125
Tel. no.: 0030 6946 50 6666
Fax no.: 0030 23210 39044
E-mail: elpidaht@otenet.gr
Internet: www.lams.gr
Downloads
– Links
Entry Form
Supplementary Regulations [English] [French]
Race Route
Directions [From the National Road] [From Thessaloniki Airport]
Race Leaflet (PDF~2,6MB).
Entry List.
Standings before race.
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