Double Win for Phillips

World Enduro Champs 2014

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www.fullnoise.com.au  Enduro News
Australia's Matthew Phillips has moved to with-in 12 points of the Maxxis World Enduro Championship Points lead in the E3 class after taking his second straight win in Finland overnight. 

Click for highlights Day 1

Click for highlights day 2

Fastest out of the traps, Phillips aboard his KTM blitzed the first five special tests to take an early lead in the on the second day of competition at the fourth round of the World Championship, opening up a 22-second cushion over fellow KTM rider Ivan Cervantes. 

The Tasmanian then controlled the race lead to secure his third consecutive victory. 

“I’m delighted to take three wins on the bounce,” Phillips commented. “Today went better than I expected. 

"I attacked hard from the beginning to build up a lead and then made sure I rode steady in the afternoon to win.” 

Despite struggling in the rocky terrain with an injured ankle, Cervantes delivered another solid ride to finish second and kept his championship lead intact. Spurred on by topping three of the final five tests, France’s Mathias Bellino (Husqvarna) returned to the podium with third. 

Matti Seistola's hopes of another podium result at his home race took a dent when he crashed on the second cross test. The Sherco rider recovered to finish fourth. Securing yet another top five result, Portugal’s Luis Correia (Beta) ended his race in fifth.


Christophe Nambotin secured the win in the E1 class on day two in Finland - Credit: Future7Media
 

Firmly squashing Eero Remes hopes of a double home win in Heinola, France’s Christophe Nambotin claimed the Enduro 1 class win on day two for KTM. Capitalising on a crash by Remes on the opening enduro test, Nambotin took control of the race lead and was never headed. 

“It’s fantastic to get back on the top step of the podium,” told Nambotin. “Yesterday I made too many mistakes, today was much better.” 

Unable to regroup, the TM's Remes was forced to settle for second place. In the fight for the final step of the podium, Spain’s Cristobal Guerrero (KTM) held off France’s Jeremy Tarroux (Sherco) by three seconds to take third. France’s Anthony Boissiere ensured a successful end to the GP of Finland for Sherco by placing fifth.


Pela Renet took his Husqvarna to the top step of the podium in the E2 class - Credit: abc-enduro.com
 

Making it two wins from two starts in the Enduro 2 category, France’s Pela Renet took the victory on day two. But the Husqvarna rider didn’t have an easy time of things. 

Challenged by a highly motivated Johnny Aubert, the Beta rider looked on course to take his first win of the season until a crash on the penultimate special test allowed Renet to sneak through for the win. 

“Johnny was riding really strong and I didn’t have an answer for him this morning,” admitted Renet. “But in the afternoon I found some more speed and clawed the time back to win. 

"I’m really happy for this victory.” 

Italy’s Alex Salvini (Honda) ended his day 31 seconds behind Aubert in third. The battle for the final top five positions was a Spanish affair with Beta’s Oriol Mena holding off an attack by Jonathan Barragan (Husqvarna) to take fourth. Continuing to adapt well to EWC life by recording his debut special test win, Barragan finished six seconds behind Mena in fifth. 

Topping the Women’s Cup for the second day in a row, Spain’s Laia Sanz (Honda) left the GP of Finland with maximum points. Placing as runner-up to Sanz – but this time reducing the deficit to her rival – Britain’s Jane Daniels (Husqvarna) finished just over one minute behind. 

Making amends for her previous day’s misfortune, Australia’s Jessica Gardiner (Sherco) claimed the final step of the podium, with fellow Aussie Jemma Wilson finishing in 6th position. 

The FIM Enduro World Championship continues with the GP of Sweden in Enköping on June 14/15. 

For Full Results and Championship standings for the MAXXIS World Enduro Championship, CLICK HERE 

Top Image: Australia's Matthew Phillips moves closer to the points lead in E3 with his third straight round win. 

Credit: Future7Media

 
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