Solid start for Husqvarna at EWC
By TMX Archives on 20th Apr 15
Husqvarna Motorcycles enjoyed a successful start to 2015 EWC campaign in Chile...
Securing winning results and podium visits in every class, Bel-Ray Husqvarna Factory Racing enjoyed an immensely successful opening round of the FIM Enduro World Championship in Talca, Chile.
Stepping up to the senior ranks for 2015, Daniel McCanney immediately proved that he will be a rider to watch for in Enduro 1. Wasting no time settling into things, the young Manxman pushed hard from the very first test on day one. Growing stronger when others struggled, McCanney climbed his way from fifth to claim his debut E1 podium result in third.
In tricky conditions on day two, the Husqvarna rider produced yet another impressive ride. Posting consistently fast times, McCanney pushed hard to take another third place result.
For Pela Renet, hopes of a winning start to the defence of his Enduro 2 title were dented on the final lap of day one. Leading the way from the opening test, the Husqvarna rider looked on course to take a comfortable victory until suffering a big crash on the final enduro test. Losing almost 30 seconds, Renet slipped back to second.
Very much feeling the effects of his crash, Renet tentatively began day two. Needing time to adjust to the slippery, wet conditions he worked his way from fifth on lap one to end his day as runner-up once again.
After seeing his 2014 season cut short due to injury, Mathias Bellino made a very welcomed but serious return to competition in the Enduro 3 class. Determined to show he'd lost none of his speed, the newly mounted TE 300 two-stroke rider attacked day one from the off. Leading throughout, the Frenchman secured a well-deserved victory.
Unfortunately thoughts of a repeat performance were quickly ended on the very first test of day two. With overnight rain making conditions very unpredictable, Bellino was one of numerous riders to get caught out. Twelfth on lap one, he battled back to secured fourth.
In the Enduro Junior class, Jamie McCanney was quick to establish himself as one of the main riders in his class. Finding both the enduro and cross test to his liking, McCanney delivered a winning performance to grab his first day win of the series.
With the extreme test removed for day two and the enduro test shortened, the Husqvarna rider faced a much more closely fought race. Despite giving his best efforts he just fell short on the final lap and ended his day in third.
For Husqvarna supported rider Josep Garcia, the opening round of the EWC went exactly to plan. Competing in the Youth Cup, the Spaniard easily won his class on both days.
The FIM Maxxis Enduro World Championship continues with round two in Jerez, Spain on May 9/10.
Danny McCanney: "I'm really pleased with my results this weekend. I came here wanting to finish top five each day, so to get on the podium in third each day is great. The dry conditions on day one were very different to what I've been training on – I've not ridden dry, dusty special tests like on day one for a while. Also, being my first year on a four-stroke things were different. I got up to speed pretty quickly, which was good. On the enduro test I was making up some time, so I guess racing the SuperEnduro series helped me there. I had one crash on day one, but everything else went great. I liked the conditions on day two, they weren't too wet and the tests got better and better. I was too slow on the very first motocross test, but got better after that. I made a few mistakes but to be fighting with Nambotin for second at the end of the day is great. I'm really pleased with the way the championship's started.”
Pela Renet: "To have finished second on both days is something I'm very pleased with. Because of the injury to the muscles in my back I wasn't sure if I would even be able to race here. So two runner-up results is great. I was a little surprised with the way I was riding on day one. With no riding or physical training, to be leading was much more than I expected. I think I pushed a little too much and had a big crash on the enduro test, hitting some tree hard at full gas. I knew I wouldn't be as competitive on day two, which is why I am happy with second. It's not a good time for me at this moment, but I hope that with a little more time to get back to full fitness I will be stronger in Spain.”
Mathias Bellino: "Chile's been really good for me. I've been training hard to come back strong after my injury last year, as well as switching to the two-stroke. I had a lot of motivation, but also a lot of unanswered questions as to how well I would do. Day one was incredible. I felt good all day and to win was the perfect start to the championship. On day two I had a difficult first lap, I lost a lot of time on the first motocross test after a small mistake. I got stuck in a small creek, that mistake kept me off the podium. I was 12th at the end of the first lap so it was good to get back to fourth. In general it has been a very positive start to the championship. There's going to be lots of close racing this year in Enduro 3, I'm looking forward to the first GPs back in Europe.”
Jamie McCanney: "I knew that my fitness was good coming into the race in Chile, but as the first race of the championship it's always hard to know exactly how things will go. Winning the first day was really good, a great start to the championship. But on both days I made small mistakes, on the second day that cost me the win. I made things hard for myself on day one with mistakes on the extreme test. I was riding well on the motocross and enduro tests, so in the end things worked out well. Day two was a very different day, with no extreme test and a shorter enduro test things were very close. I started really well but I pushed too hard on the last enduro test. I've scored good points and had two podium results, and also know that I can win, so it's been a good event for me.”
