WORLD ENDURO SUPER SERIES, ROUND 2

The second round of the WESS championship proved a challenge for the 600-plus riders competing. Continuous rain and occasional fog throughout the three days of racing at France’s most-prestigious Enduro – Trèfle Lozérien AMV – ensured the 719 kilometres of riding were both physically and mentally demanding.

– With victory on days one and two, Garcia entered the third and final day of racing as the rider to beat. A solid final day saw him safely cross the finish line as a first-time winner of Trèfle Lozérien AMV. In doing so, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider became the first non-French winner in the 33-year history of the race.
Garcia said: “To get my first WESS victory of 2019, and also to create a little piece of history by being the first non-French winner here at Trèfle Lozérien, is amazing. The conditions really didn’t suit me – I’m not really a big fan of wet, slippery mud. But I pushed hard on all special tests and, well, everything went perfectly.”
Yamaha’s Jamie McCanney (GB) and Nathan Watson (KTM – GB) finished second and third respectively.

McCanney said: “When conditions weren’t too wet, or when they suited the 450 more, I managed to win some tests and I’m really pleased about that but Garcia was really strong throughout the event. I’ve been away from enduro racing for some time now, firstly getting over a shoulder injury and surgery and then focusing on rally. To come here and get the result I’ve got is really great.”

Entering the final special test it was all to play for between Watson and Julien Gauthier (Yamaha – FRA) for third. With both riders putting it all on the line, Watson edged out Gauthier by just over one second to snatch the final step of the podium in the last few moments of the race.

Watson added: “I’m really happy with third overall. This is the first Classic Enduro I’ve raced since this event 12 months ago, so I came into it a little unsure what to expect but also confident that it would suit me. I had a consistent three days and kept things upright over the 15 special tests, which was really important.”
For Gauthier it was not to be and with his fourth place result it also marked the first time in the event’s history that a French rider wasn’t present in the top three positions.

– The eight-round World Enduro Super Series continues with round three at Austria’s Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble on May 30 – June 2.

Results – Round 2: Trèfle Lozérien AMV 2019

1. Josep Garcia (KTM – ESP) 01:03:07.557
2. Jaime McCanney (Yamaha – GB) +42.029
3. Nathan Watson (KTM – GB) +48.055

The previous round of the WESS was at the Extreme XL Lagares in Portugal, where Sherco’s Mario Roman took the win. Here’s an excellent recap from Red Bull.