10.04.2016

KTM Enduro Factory Racing has mixed fortunes on opening two rounds

1st/2nd Rd. Enduro 2016 – Agadir (MAR)
Taylor Robert KTM 350 EXC-F Agadir 2016 © Future7Media KTM Media Library

This press release has: 8 Images 3 Videos
The 2016 Enduro World Championships – now rebranded at EnduroGP, got underway in Agadir, Morocco this weekend with the first two rounds of the season. Generally it was a rough weekend for the KTM Enduro Factory Racing Team, but still signaled there are more promising things to come, especially from the two new team members.
While to two days of racing saw some promising racing from the team’s two rookies, British rider Nathan Watson and American Taylor Robert, the team regulars were not so lucky. Christophe Nambotin broke his hand in competition on Saturday, but competed the race with it badly and increasingly swollen. He attempted to ride in Sunday’s round two but had to retire after the opening test. Ivan Cervantes was similarly unlucky, picking up a large inches-long horn in his right wrist, and while he managed to finish, he was unable to hold onto the handlebar properly.

This is a season of transition for the championship and the KTM factory team is competing only in the E1 and E2 classes. A new points classification has also been introduced for a theoretical GP class, for which points from the top 15 collective riders are calculated.

Watson, who comes from the motocross discipline is contesting his first season in E1 and wrapped up his weekend with a 3-3 result on his KTM 250 EXC-F. “It’s been good, I’ve enjoyed it, but it’s been tough. Two podium thirds is a great start. I really tried hard to keep my mistakes to a minimum, and to think of the championship. I’m happy with my results. The whole event’s been a real eye-opener. I’ve never ridden anything so rough before. The enduro test was seriously tough, but I’m pleased with how I did.”

Robert was also satisfied with his weekend on the KTM 350 EXC-F. “All-in-all it’s been a good race, a bit of a crazy experience. The special tests were brutal, but I’m happy to get through things healthy and with some strong results. Fourth on the first day was really good. I just fell too many times on the tests. But I’ve experienced and learned a lot and feel like I did pretty well.”

Team Manager Fabio Farioli, while not achieving the team results he could have wished for, still had some good words to say about his new recruits. “Both of them had a few too many crashes but they show great promise. Nathan was very fast and Taylor was good yesterday and today. I don’t think it will be too long before he’s fighting for podiums.”

Next Rounds: April 16-17, 2016 – Gouveia (POR)

Results EnduroGP Agadir 2016
1. Mathias Bellino (FRA), Husqvarna, E2 (1-2)
2. Matthew Phillips (AUS), Sherco, E2 (3-1)
3. Steve Holcombe (GBR), Beta, E3 (4-4)
4. Johnny Aubert (FRA), Beta, E3 (2-9)
5. Eero Remes (FIN), TM, E1 (9-3)
Other KTM
7. Antoine Basset (FRA), KTM, E3 (7-8)
8. Taylor Robert (USA), KTM, E2 (6-12)
10. Nathan Watson (GBR), KTM, E1 (13-7)

25. Ivan Cervantes (ESP), KTM, E1 (19-25)

Standings EnduroGP after 2 of 16 rounds
1. Bellino, 37 points
2. Phillips, 35
3. Holcombe, 26
4. Aubert, 24
5. Remes, 22
Other KTM
7. Basset, 17
8. Robert, 14
10. Watson, 12

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Images (8)

Taylor Robert KTM 350 EXC-F Agadir 2016
4 500 x 3 000 © Future7Media KTM Media Library
Taylor Robert Agadir 2016
3 000 x 4 500 © Future7Media KTM Media Library
Nathan Watson Agadir 2016
3 000 x 4 500 © Future7Media KTM Media Library
Nathan Watson KTM 250 EXC-F Agadir 2016
4 500 x 3 000 © Future7Media KTM Media Library
Ivan Cervantes KTM 250 EXC-F Agadir 2016
4 500 x 3 000 © Future7Media KTM Media Library
Ivan Cervantes Agadir 2016
4 500 x 3 000 © Future7Media KTM Media Library
Christophe Nambotin KTM 350 EXC-F Agadir 2016
4 500 x 3 000 © Future7Media KTM Media Library
Christophe Nambotin Agadir 2016
4 500 x 3 000 © Future7Media KTM Media Library



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