2018 Starts Strong!

Take a look back at the second round of the 2018 SEWC season, an event which kept all its promises in terms of a great show and exciting races...

Sold Out

When Alain BLANCHARD (ABC Communication) met with the German organiser at the opening round of the season at the Tauron Arena in Krakow (Poland), he told him that there were only one hundred seats left to sell - and this was a full month before the event! The SachsenArena was completely sold out last Saturday when the organisers welcomed the stars of the SuperEnduro. 7,000 fans came to enjoy another fantastic night of racing and they were once again treated to a great show which lasted for more than three hours… 
Without doubt, Riesa and Germany has become a key location for the FIM Maxxis SuperEnduro World Championship
 

Arena

Transfer

We often see some brand changes ahead of each SuperEnduro season... and after the announcement from Alex SALVINI (I), who switched from the Beta Factory team to the JET Zanardo Racing team, another rider appeared in new colours in Germany. Portugal’s Diogo VIEIRA who was on a Beta in Krakow, where he did not qualify for the finals, switched to Yamaha in Germany. This time he qualified for the finals and finished in an encouraging 12th place!

Track Inspector News

For the third season, Paul EDMONDSON is the Track Inspector chosen by ABC Communication to watch over SuperEnduro and improve the quality of the tracks. "Fast Eddy" was joined by a well known former Enduro rider: Tom SAGAR. The multiple European Champion was present in Riesa to learn the tricks of the Track Inspector trade, and will be ready to replace EDMONDSON when he is not available to attend...
 

TrackInspector
Tom SAGAR & Paul EDMONDSON

Imbroglio

At the Riders' Briefing on Saturday morning, FIM Officials Pedro MARIANO and Christian DEJASSE announced that, for safety reasons, the riders could not double the jump that was just after the first corner at the start of the race… Subsequently, during the second final Taddy BLAZUSIAK (PL - KTM), who was on the second row, saw an opportunity and managed a shock holeshot, he then hit the double jump! At the end of the heat, the FIM officials naturally handed a 20 second penalty to the six-time World Champion, which relegated him to 6th place. Then, suddenly, the Factory KTM rider was called to the podium after all. The FIM reduced his penalty from 20 seconds to 10 seconds, which allowed BLAZUSIAK to get on the third step of the podium, much to the chagrin of Billy BOLT (GB - Husqvarna)! All of this added some controversy to an intense night of racing!

Fixing Problems

That being said, Taddy BLAZUSIAK’s evening was not easy. Indeed, in addition to this "penalty drama", the Pole was hampered during the first race by a loose left boot. Did he run out of time to do it up before the race? Or did it come undone during contact with another rider? We will never know, but despite that, the Factory KTM rider still managed to get 4th place in that heat!
 

Blazusiak

Live Timed Practice

On the occasion of this German Grand Prix, ABC Communication offered all followers of the SuperEnduro on Facebook, live coverage of Junior and Prestige Timed Practice! While these practices were not the most important moment of the afternoon, they did determine the starting grid positions for the Juniors as well as the seven qualified riders for the Prestige Super Pole. In any case, fans could enjoy 30 minutes of free Live Streaming on Facebook before going to see the real show the same evening on our EnduroTV service on superenduro.org!

Crazy Cavallo?!

The young Italian hopeful Matteo CAVALLO (I - Beta), who came to Krakow, was the revelation of the Junior category in Poland with a win, and second place in the championship standings. While he registered for the event in Germany, the Beta Boano team rider, to our astonishment, did not show up to the SachsenArena. The reason appears to be a financial one, a real disappointment for this endearing rider who had the capability of fighting for the title, and who seemed to be the revelation of the 2018 season!

Dedicated to his Father!

The triple win of Kevin GALLAS (D - Husqvarna) in front of his home fans put him in control of the Junior class, but this victory was a bittersweet one and will be etched in the mind of the young German. He explained: “This victory is so beautiful! I want to dedicate it to my father, who died shortly before the start of the season. I’m sure he would be super proud of me. Winning at home with a Hat Trick is the best tribute I could give him!” The rider from Baden Baden signed off this emotional night by taking the 24MX Championship Leader Plate from Kyle FLANAGAN (RSA - Yamaha).
 

Gallas
Kevin GALLAS (D - Husqvarna)