Enduro News: Greece ready to rumble for EWC
By Team TMX on 18th May 16
More than one month after a very muddy GP of Portugal, EnduroGP is back in action this weekend for the third round in Grevena, Greece.
After two GPs, the EnduroGP category is dominated by three riders, Matthew Phillips (Sherco), Mathias Bellino (Husqvarna) and Steve Holcombe (Beta).
Phillips has been on top form this season, delivering Sherco an early grasp of the EnduroGP leader's plate.
But he can't afford to relax with both Holcombe and Bellino just five points behind.
Holcombe looks to be getting stronger and stronger with every round.
Struggling in the mud of Portugal, Bellino will look to make amends in Greece. His goal is to win back the EnduroGP leader's plate he held in Morocco.
Behind this trio and TM's Eero Remes remains threatening.
With two podium results to his credit, he's proven the speed is there to challenge for honours, however, poor results on the opening days of racing in both Morocco and Portugal have put him 13 points behind both Holcombe and Bellino.
Italy's Alex Salvini (Beta) has yet to find his groove this year as he settles into his new team but with an impressive victory at the recent round of the Italian Enduro Championship, he will be hoping to continue that momentum in Greece.
Edging ever closer to his debut EnduroGP podium, KTM's Taylor Robert is proving a fast learner as he continues his rookie season in the world championship.
A pair of fourth place results in Portugal lifts the American to sixth overall in the standings.
Antoine Bassett (KTM) will want to confirm his early season form. Nathan Watson (KTM) is another rookie turning heads in 2016.
Rapidly improving to place third in the horrendously wet conditions in Portugal bumps him up to eighth overall.
Despite finishing second overall on day one in Morocco, Johnny Aubert (Beta) picked up an elbow injury in Portugal that prevented him from scoring points on day two.
Behind Aubert, Gianluca Martini (Kawasaki), Jaume Betriu (KTM), Jamie McCanney (Yamaha) and Manuel Monni (TM) will all hope to feature strongly in Greece.
In Junior class, Diogo Ventura (Gas Gas) Kirian Mirabet and Josep Garcia (Husqvarna) will need to raise their game if they want to stay in the race for the title with leader Giacomo Redondi (Honda).
Redondi remains unbeaten, with nobody seemingly able to worry him. His nearest rival, Ventura, is already 24 points behind.
In the Youth Cup 125cc, Greece should offer up an intense battle between Jean-Baptiste Nicolot (Yamaha), Valerian Debaud (Yamaha), Erik Appelqvist (Yamaha) and Lee Sealey (Yamaha).
Absent in Portugal, Jack Edmondson (KTM) will be back in business. The former leader will be intent on re-establishing his dominance in Greece.
No doubt thousands of Greek fans will line the different special tests to cheer for the elite of the World Enduro series to make of this third round of the season a big party.
