Salminen continues to dominate E1 in Portugal

Salminen continues to dominate E1 in Portugal
Juha Salminen again proved his immense Enduro racing skills on Saturday in the first of two races in the Portuguese Grand Prix, securing another first place in the E1 class for the KTM Enduro Factory Team.

The Finn, who returned from competition in the GNCC Series in the USA to rejoin the Grand Prix circuit, now has an unblemished record of five victories from five races so far held.

“Today was a very tough race,” said team boss Fabio Farioli. “But Salminen was very strong and led right from the start. The result is an excelled start towards his bid for the title in the World Enduro Championships, his declared goal for the season.

Alessandro Belometti, the second KTM factory rider in E1 was fifth on Saturday to add valuable points in the championship standings. The Italian however finished the race with a suspected broken toe after a crash but hopes to be fit to ride in the second race on Sunday.
Weather condition were sunny and windy conditions that are expected to continue on Sunday.
Results, Day 1
1. Juha Salminen, Finland, KTM, Tests ? 44:17.80
2. Marc Germain, France, Yamaha, 44:49.23
3. Cristobal Guerrero, Spain, Yamaha, 44:50.60
4. Simone Albergoni, Italy, Honda, 45:00.52
5. Alessandro Belometti, Italy, KTM, 45:03.14

Salminen makes mud fly in Portugal
Belometti considering his options
05.05.2007
Aro fourth; Planet seventh in day one at Portuguese E2 Grand Prix
It was a mixed first day for the KTM Enduro Factory Team in the E2 class in Marco de Canavese on Saturday with Samuli Aro coming in just shy of the podium in fourth place
The result was disappointing for the Finn, who last Saturday came unstuck in muddy conditions in Puerto Lumbreras in Spain and finished fifth, only to redeem himself on the Sunday with a second place.

The second KTM Factory rider, Fabian Planet of France was seventh.
“Today was not Aro?s day,” said team boss Fabio Farioli. “He had one crash, but I am hoping for better things tomorrow.”
Planet was also not unscathed. “He crashed and broke a throttle cable and as we were not allowed to repair it, he had to ride for nearly two hours like that,” Farioli said.
Results, Day One, Race One 1. Jonny Aubert, France, Yamaha, 43:55.04 2. Mika Ahola, Finland, Honda, 44.06.23 3. Stefan Merriman, Australian, Aprilia, 44:32.79 4. Samuli Aro, Finland, KTM, 44.59.33 5. Ridrig Thain, France, Suzuki, 45:17.68 7. Fabien Planet, France, KTM, 45:43.00

Aro luckless on day one in Portugal
05.05.2007
Ivan Cervantes continues his conquering ways in E3
The KTM Enduro Factory Team celebrated yet another E3 victory on the Iberian Peninsula when Ivan Cervantes stole victory in the first of two Enduro races at the Portuguese Grand Prix at Marco de Canaveses.
Cervantes has thus continued the fine form and Enduro skills that secured him a double victory in Puerto Lumbreras, Spain last weekend.

Marko Tarkkala of Finland, the second factory rider in the team was a competent third on Saturday, completing a result that serves as a confidence booster for the second race on Sunday.

Ivan did not have a very good start, according to team boss Fabio Farioli, but he stuck hard on the heels of Sebastien Guillaume and was able to gain the advantage in the third lap and slip by him for victory.

Although the weather cleared after Friday?s rain and similar clear weather is expected for Sunday?s race, there were still patches of residual mud on the course in northern Portugal, Farioli reports.

Both Cervantes and Tarkkala have been on the podium for all world championship races so far held this season.

Results, Race One, Day One
1. Ivan Cervantes, Spain, KTM, 44:21.46
2. Sebastian Guillaume, France, Husqvarna, 44:27.03
3. Marko Tarkkala, Finland, KTM, 44:50.17
4. Fred Bolly, France, Gas-Gas, 45:18.41
5. Bjorne Carlsson, Sweden, Husaberg, 45:27.38