Brits head to Portugal
By TMX Archives on 26th Mar 08
THE second round of the World Enduro Championship takes place this weekend in Vale de Cambra, Portugal an important event for several British competitors. Opting not to compete at the series opener in Sweden, British Enduro Junior class hopefuls Si Wakely and Greg Evans will get their 2008 campaigns started and, following impressive results at the first two rounds of the BEC series, both riders are optimistic of strong results. With both having dipped their respective competitive toes into international enduro waters in the past season, both seem to be well prepared to compete against Europe's best Under 23 competitors. At both the Muntjac and Lossiemouth Enduros, Si and Greg both showed that they're certainly not lacking speed and although well aware that competition will be fierce in the EJ class, they are both looking forward to competing in Portugal and then Spain the following weekend. "WEC events in Portugal are always tough but I'm really looking forward to it,” said Si at the second round of the BEC. "I didn't get on too well in some of the WEC events I rode in the past but I had a great European Enduro Championship series last year so I'm looking to compete at the next level. There's going to be plenty of fast riders but I'm getting on really well with my 450cc Husqvarna, so I can't wait.” With a little less international experience, but having claimed a podium finish in Italy in his first ever Indoor Enduro earlier this year, KTM rider Greg Evans is also hoping to get his WEC championship campaign off to a good start. "My speed in the British championship has been good so I hope I can carry that into the events in Portugal and Spain. I'd like to have two steady results and not have any problems. I've been practicing on a trials bike all winter so I'm hoping that I can do OK on the extreme tests, as well as the motocross and enduro test.” Another rider hoping to have a good weekend in Portugal is KTM Enduro Factory Team rider Tom Sagar. Crashing out of the first day in Sweden, Tom knows that he needs to get a score on the board in Portugal. "I need to make sure I finish both days of both events with as good a results as possible,” explained Tom. "I got my first WEC podium result at these events last year, so I'm hoping that the tests will suit me and that I can put the opening round of the season behind me.”