Sagar strikes first in Italy
By TMX Archives on 3rd May 13
The opening round of the European Enduro Championship got off to an exciting start in Bussi sul Tirino in Italy. Situated in the Apennine Mountains, the quiet little Italian village came alive to the sound of 185 competitors all hoping to get their season off to a winning start.
Of the seven British riders entered, it was KTM's Tom Sagar who enjoyed the spoils of victory with a terrific double win in the Enduro 2 class while also topping the overall classification on day two. Finding the long and technically demanding mountain top enduro test much to his liking, Sagar quickly controlled the class lead on day one to secure the win.
The KTM rider then upped his pace on day two and moved into contention for the overall. Improving throughout the day, Sagar held on to claim the win while also claiming his second victory in E2.
"It's been a perfect start to the season for me,” remarked Tom. "I wasn't sure how my pace would be but once I got the first lap out of the way I was able to settle. Taking the E2 win on day one was great but I needed to improve on the cross test. Day two I was more determined and push hard from the word go. From there I controlled my lead and took the win.”
Slow to adapt to the hard packed terrain, Honda's Jamie Lewis ended day one seventh overall in E2. But with conditions drier on day two, the Welshman rapidly improved. Excelling on the fast paced cross test, Lewis ended day two third overall in class.
"Day two's been much better for me,” explained Lewis. "I was too steady on day one. After the rain on Friday the course was very slippery and it took me a while to adjust.
Day two was much better and hopefully I can maintain that pace for the rest of the season.”
Keen to make a strong start to his Junior E1 championship, MPS Racing's Jack Rowland placed fourth both days.
Ending day one just ten seconds shy of a podium result, the Husqvarna rider came within two tenths of a second from finishing in third position on day two.
Said Jack, "It's been a good start but truthfully I was looking to finish on the podium. I was a little off the pace on day one but then we made some changes and I was more competitive. Entering the final enduro test there was only one-second separating the top four but unfortunately I missed out.”
Husqvarna's Rob Johnson made a great start to the championship. Hoping for a top ten result in Junior E1, the young 19-year old ended day one in eighth before slipping back to ninth on day two.
Hampered by a one-minute noise penalty on day one, Honda's Lee Edmondson placed 14th overall. Edmondson was in contention for a top ten result on day two until a crash in the final enduro test pushed him back to 12th.
Making his EEC debut, TM's Josh Gotts delivered two impressive performances. Quickly adapting to the hard pack, Gotts ended day one 14th overall in the Junior Under 20 class before jumping four places to 10th on day two.
Despite an injury, Husaberg's Rhian George impressed on her debut in the Women's class. Enjoying the rock hard conditions, George placed a brilliant eighth overall on day one. Unfortunately hopes of a repeat result on day two were dashed when she crashed early on and was forced to retire.
