06 World Enduro Championship
By TMX Archives on 22nd Aug 06
KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli Preview: 06 World Enduro Championship - round 7 GP of Slovakia
With five weeks having passed since the '06 FIM World Enduro Championship travelled to North America for rounds five and six of the WEC series KTM's Enduro Factory Team Farioli riders are now well rested and ready for action as they head to the penultimate round of the '06 championship — the GP of Slovakia held in Krompachy.
While the last but one round of the '06 WEC series is important for all of KTM's factory backed riders for reigning Enduro 3 world champion David Knight it is arguably the most important event of the season. Having dominated the E3 class at each of the six rounds held already this year Knight has topped the podium on no fewer than 12 occasions and is the only rider in this year's world championship not to have been beaten. With a massive 67-point lead at the head of the E3 class Knight has his sights firmly set on becoming the first rider to wrap up an enduro world championship in '06. In doing so he will claim his second consecutive E3 crown. Having won in Sweden, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Canada and the US victory in Slovakia will see Knight put the finishing touches on what has been an incredible season.
But the GP of Slovakia is also a hugely important race for KTM's reigning Enduro 1 class world champion Ivan Cervantes. 34 points clear of his closest rival after six rounds of the '06 championship Ivan is looking to the GP of Slovakia hoping to extend his championship advantage. Strong results in Slovakia will ensure that Ivan is in a position to wrap up his second E1 title on day one at the final round of the series in France on September 23-24. The dominant rider in the E1 class in '06 Ivan knows that a second world championship is well within his reach and in Slovakia he will be trying to win, but more importantly he will ensure that he maintains his Enduro 1 class lead.
The final two rounds of this year's world championship are also important for KTM's second E1 class rider Alessandro Belometti. Currently third in the class standings Bello' knows that claiming an end-of-season podium spot won't be easy but is more than ready to fight hard to ensure he finishes the season inside the top three of the Enduro 1 class.
Currently producing some of the best form of his career Finn Samuli Aro heads to Slovakia 28 points ahead in the highly competitive Enduro 2 class. Following winning performances in Italy, Canada and the US Aro knows that there will be many riders lining up to try and beat him in Slovakia. But as reigning Enduro 2 world champion Samuli knows all there is to know about dealing with the pressures of leading a world championship and as always is focused and ready to win.
KTM mounted French rider Fabien Planet will be hoping to finish '06 on a high having recorded strong results at the GP of USA in Hancock. After a slow start to the season Fabien is ready to prove that he has what it takes to be a title contender in '07.