Salminen tops E2 podium on Day 2 at Oestersund
By TMX Archives on 16th Mar 08
KTM factory rider Juha Salminen sent a strong signal to the opposition in the E2 class on Sunday in Oestersund Sweden when he bettered his third place from Saturday to top the podium.
Salminen finds his rhythm on day two
Salminen, who completely dominated the E1 class last season took third placein the opening race on Saturday said he felt very much more comfortable onSunday. "Before this weekend I haven't raced since November and it takes a whileto get the feeling back," the Finnish rider said. "Yesterday I just couldn'tfind my rhythm but it was already much better today and the bike is reallyperfect."
Snow mud and bumps
Riders faced difficult conditions with some parts of the course still coveredin deep snow but the surface underneath already melting. "It was a winter racebut there were still a lot of bumps and mud in the Enduro test," Salminen said.He now returns home to Finland briefly before heading to Portugal for the twoevents on the Iberian Peninsular.
Salminen's teammate Italian Alessandro Belometti, who did not enjoy the samebenefit of riding on familiar terrain as the Scandinavian riders, put in a solidweekend and a good start to the season with seventh place on each day.
Results Day Two
1. Juha Salminen, Finland, KTM
2. Joakim Ljunggren, Sweden, Husaberg
3. Johnny Aubert, France, Yamaha
4. Valtteri Salonen, Finland, Husaberg
5. Jari Mattila, Finland, Honda
7. Alessandro Belometti, Italy, KTM