Enduro movers and shakers...easy as ABC!
By TMX Archives on 14th Sep 11
With the silly-season now well under way, with rumours and counter rumours of who's riding what in 2012, ABC, promoters of the Enduro World Championship (EWC) have sent-out a press release with the their version of what's what for 2012!Read on...
According to ABC...
KTM Farioli
A rumour has been spread in the paddock that Christophe NAMBOTIN (F) could wear the orange colour of Farioli team next season. Bad news for Kurt CASELLI (USA) who will not participate to an EWC entire season as he wishes. On his side, Johnny AUBERT (F) must sign a new contract, Eero REMES (SF), David KNIGHT (GB) and Cristobal GUERRERO (E) under contract will stay again next season. Quid of Thomas OLDRATI (I) also under contract? After his difficult season, will he resume service next year, while a rumour is sending Antoine MEO (F) at KTM?
HVA Racing
CH Racing will engage next year four riders on the 250cc and the 310cc HVA. For the first time in a long time Husqvarna will not be present in Enduro 3. Matti SEISOLA (SF) and Alex SALVINI (I), under contract, will ride respectively in Enduro 1 and Enduro 2. Juha SALMINEN (SF) is thinking about the various proposals made to him while Antoine MEO (F) and Sebastien GUILLAUME (F) are on the departure. Giacomo REDONDI (I) will stay in Junior next season under the team awning of Varese.
MEO... but where?
A lot of rumours are turning around the new World Champion E2 for months now. Eager to build his own team since the beginning of the season, it seems that contacts with some manufacturers (Kawasak) didn't lead to their end. The latest news is that Antoine MEO (F) is trying to build his team with Sebastien GUILLAUME (F) but he is also in contact to integrate the official teams like Sherco, Gas Gas and KTM.
HM Honda
Mika AHOLA (SF), out of contract at the end of the season, still doesn't know about his future. Rodrig THAIN (F) is still under contract with the Franco MAYR's team but still doesn't know his class in which he will ride. It will depend on the decision of the fourth time World Champion.
Gas Gas
Albert CASANOVAS, Marketing director, announced that the Spanish firm will engage for next season a bike in each category. It's the first time that Gas Gas will present a four-stroke bike in Enduro 1 class. The E1 and E2 riders will ride on the 250cc four-stroke and the 450cc four-stroke. Ivan CERVANTES (E) still under contract will proudly wear the color of the brand. The marketing director also said the possibility to engage some support riders and Juniors.
Beta
Fabrizio DINI, Beta team manager, assured us that "the team will engage 3 bikes and Oscar BALLETTI (I) could still be here next year.” On the other side, DINI still doesn't know who are the others riders.
TM
The Italian brand seems it wants to engage 2 bikes next season. TM would be in contact with Simone ALBERGONI (I) and why not Nicolas DEPARROIS (F)?
Husaberg
"Joakim LJUNGGREN (S), Pierre-Alexandre RENET (F), Mathias BELLINO (F) and Oriol MENA (E) will still be in Husaberg for the next season.” Has certified to us Thomas GUSTAVSSON, Husaberg team manager. And the support team will still be here next season. For the first time in the history of the Swedish firm, 4-stroke specialist, a 125cc 2-stroke will be engage in Mende for the 2011 Final but also for next year in Junior class. On his side, Marko TARKKALA (SF) hasn't received any real propositions.
Kawa France
Frederic COLLIGNON, team manager, confided to us "I wish, according to budget, to engage 2 bikes on the World Championship whether in Enduro 1 and also in Enduro 2 with the 450cc.” To ride in the 2 categories, the manager would like to maintain Nicolas DEPARROIS (F) and to bring back Julien GAUTHIER (F), out of contract with TM.
Sherco
The French team seems to have decided to stop rallies and to concentrate on the Enduro with the arrival of the new 450cc. According to Didier VALADE, Sherco manager "we must have at least two riders engaged for the next season.”
