Good start for Brits at EnduroGP opener
By Future 7Media on 21st Mar 18
For the second year running, the Enduro World Championship kicked off in Finland with a winter feel at the Lake Pijnne classic.Brutally cold weather and deep snow conditions ensured the series opener played favour to the local Finns as Aleksi Jukola (KTM) led a home domination of the event.
But for British riders, round one of the championship was one to savour too with Jamie McCanney (Yamaha) ending it as championship leader in Enduro 1, followed closely by Brad Freeman (Beta) in second. Steve Holcombe topped the overall EnduroGP classification as best-placed non-Finn and while currently sitting fourth in Enduro 3, those ahead of him are non-championship regulars.
There were further moments of triumph for the British contingent with TM Racings Josh Gotts carding a career-best fifth in Enduro 2, while Gas Gas Danny McCanney claimed an impressive fifth in Enduro 3 on Sunday.
With this winter proving one of the best for snow in recent years, the EnduroGP series opener in Finland saw no shortage of snow and sub-zero temperatures.Reaching a couple of feet in the majority of places ensured the riding was some of the toughest ever experienced in the championship.
Adding to the challenge, Saturdays opening day of racing was up to 12 hours long finishing with a night stage and albeit slightly shorter, Sunday was still a testing one with seven hours of saddle time. At the head of the field, it was KTMs Aleksi Jukola who led the way on day one. Offering up a master class in powder riding, the Finn rode on for a comfortable win ahead of fellow Finns Toni Eriksson (KTM) and Mika Tamminen.
Brad Freeman
On day two the tables turned slightly among the Finnish when Eero Remes (TM) stepped up from fourth to take the win in EnduroGP with Gas Gass Eemil Pohjola second. However, with Jukola third it was enough to grab the overall win in Finland.
In Enduro 1, championship contender Jamie McCanney had a lot to be pleased about by ending his weekend in the snow as points leader. Showing his winter tests had gone well, the Yamaha rider topped the classification on Saturday before ending Sunday in fifth.
It was a good weekend of racing here in Finland and Im really happy to start the season with a win, admitted McCanney. Day one went surprisingly well for us and I managed to get the victory. Ive trained a lot in winter conditions and I was able to get a good pace during the day. Arriving in Finland a week ago, we also had the chance to set up my Yamaha really well for these extreme racing conditions.
To be honest I preferred the conditions on day one, as we had our bike set up perfectly. On day two I felt the effects of a tiring day one. Despite not feeling perfect I dug deep and did my best for a top five result.
The snow wasnt easy riding, so to come away with the points lead is a great start to the championship. Now we can get back to more regular conditions and with some more testing planned Ill try to come out swinging in Spain.
Jamie McCanney
Stepping up to Enduro 1 having won the 2017 Enduro Junior title, Brad Freeman already showed his potential as a serious contender for 2018. Acquitting himself superbly in his first snow race, the Beta rider cracked on for third both days. It was enough to see him end Finland as the runner-up and one point behind McCanney.
That was one of the hardest races Ive ever done 12 hours on Saturday and seven hours on Sunday, said Freeman. I dont think I underestimated it but I wasnt expecting it to be that hard so Im over the moon with how its gone. Its completely different conditions than what Im used to so to come away with a pair of third places for second overall is way above my expectations.
Saturday was hard, not just because it was a long day but also because there was so much snow. But Sunday was a bit better as there was less snow you could see the European riders improve. But overall I enjoyed the race, I hope we keep coming back here for the championship because its good to ride something new like this.
Ending his weekend as best placed non-Finn in both EnduroGP and Enduro 3, Steve Holcombe got the defence of his world crowns off to a strong start. Its been such a tough weekend of racing here in Finland, but its gone really well for me, explained Holcombe.
Day one was just brutal. I think everyone expected the Finnish riders to be a level above everyone else and they showed just how strong they are in these conditions. Hats off to them.Finishing as the highest placed non-Finnish rider on both days is great.
Danny McCanney
It was about trying to minimise mistakes this weekend, ride within myself and generally try to be smart. I wanted to make the best start to the championship I could. I feel like I did that and got some good points, so Im pleased with the way everythings gone.
After a struggling start to his weekend on Saturday for eighth in Enduro 3, Danny McCanney improved his snow-riding game for fifth on Sunday following setup changes to his Gas Gas overnight.
On Saturday I really struggled in the deep snow. I just didnt have a good setup for it and had no feeling with the bike, admitted McCanney. We changed things overnight and it made a huge difference for Sunday.
Thats something we should have done during the day but its hard to know what direction to go with that when everything is so new. Regards the championship standings in Enduro 3 Im three positions behind Steve Holcombe and with a good haul of points so its been a decent weekend overall.
Putting in an incredibly strong ride on Saturday, TMs Josh Gotts looked at home in the deep snow and bitterly cold weather claiming a career-best fifth in Enduro 2. Finishing eighth on Sunday left Gotts a lot to be pleased about. Gott said: Saturday was a good day and I finished fifth in Enduro 2. I just tried not to make mistakes and not push too much.
That definitely helped because if you missed a berm or got off line you lost so much time trying to get back on it again. Sunday was sore after the previous days riding but overall to get results like this, in this company means a lot to be happy about.
Moving on from the snow, the Enduro World Championship heads to the warmer climates of Southern Europe for round two in Santiago de Compostela, Spain on April 27-29.
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