Josep Garcia And Nathan Watson Victorious At EnduroGP Of Greece

Rnd 5, EnduroGP 2017 – GREVENA, GREECE

Following just five days after the GP of Hungary, the Greek event saw riders battle against soring temperatures, long and dry enduro and motocross special tests and a short, technical extreme test. For Garcia the event started in the best possible way with a winning result on day one despite a number of small crashes. Winning four special tests he finished 18 seconds ahead of second placed Jamie McCanney. 

Day two started well for Garcia, taking the class lead shortly before the mid-way point of the day. Falling in the second enduro test he dropped to second in the provisional results, going on to place as runner-up and maintain his lead in the Enduro2 series standings, 12 points ahead of second placed McCanney. 

Garcia: “It’s been another really good GP for me. Day one was great. The extreme test was difficult in some places and it was easy to make a mistake there, and the heat made things harder. I crashed twice in the final motocross test but generally the day went very well. In many ways it’s been very much like last weekend in Hungary – fighting with Jamie McCanney and getting a 1-2 result. On day two I had a little crash in the second enduro test and made a few mistakes but Jamie was really fast so I’m pleased with second. Things are very positive as we start the second half of the championship. This was supposed to be my learning year, my first out of the juniors, but to be leading the championship is really good. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.” 

For KTM’s EnduroGP class riders Christophe Nambotin and Nathan Watson the GP of Greece brought mixed results. Claiming a double class win at the GP of Hungary, Nambotin arrived in Grevena looking to again challenge for the top of the podium. Frustratingly, a number of crashes during the first day saw the Frenchman place in fifth. A big crash on the second day’s opening enduro test further de-tuned the former world champion who eventually placed ninth. 

Enjoying his best GP of the year so far, Nathan Watson again showed impressive pace to finish with a well-deserved 2-1 result EnduroGP class result. Runner-up to EnduroGP championship leader Steve Holcombe on day one, Nathan completed a hugely impressive second day to finish 23 seconds ahead of his British rival and earn his first EnduroGP class day win. 

In the EnduroGP championship standings Nambotin sits third on 169 points with Watson just five points behind in fourth. 

Watson: “Winning on day two here in Greece is a great way to end the back-to-back GPs we’ve had in Hungary and Greece. Hungary was a turning point for me – before that it seemed like I'd had nothing but bad luck. I carried a lot of confidence into this weekend and made a good start to the first day. I won several tests, and although I struggled a little on the extreme test I finished second, like I did on day two in Hungary. I feel really good, really comfortable on my bike, and I’ve got my confidence back. Day two went well. I still wasn’t overly comfortable on the extreme test, but I managed to stay ahead during the day and get my first EnduroGP class win of the year.” 

Nambotin: “Sometimes you have a good feeling with the terrain, and this weekend I didn't have that. I had too many crashes on the first day and again on day two I had a big crash on the first enduro test. After that I just rode safely with no mistakes.” 

KTM Enduro Factory Racing team’s second Enduro 2 class rider Daniel Sanders battled his way to two top 10 results in Greece, placing ninth on day one and eighth on day two. 

Next Round: July 21-23, 2017 – EnduroGP of Portugal 

Results – 2017 FIM Enduro World Championship, Round 5 

Day 1 

EnduroGP 
1. Steve Holcombe (Beta) 57:55:56 
2. Nathan Watson (KTM)58:07:95 
3. Loic Larrieu (Yamaha) 58:40:54 
4. Alex Salvini (Beta) 58:49:59 
5. Christophe Nambotin (KTM) 58:56:02 
6. Jaume Betriu (KTM) 58:56:24 

Enduro 2 
1. Josep Garcia (KTM) 58:08:51 
2. Jamie McCanney (Yamaha) 58:26:85 
3. Davide Guarneri (Honda) 58:29:82 
4. Pascal Rauchenecker (Husqvarna) 58:55:91 
5. Eero Remes (TM) 59:14:72 
9. Daniel Sanders (KTM) 59:46:53 

Day 2 

EnduroGP 
1. Nathan Watson (KTM) 56:54:99 
2. Steve Holcombe (Beta) 57:18:76 
3. Loic Larrieu (Yamaha) 57:24:92 
4. Alex Salvini (Beta) 57:27:31 
5. Jaume Betriu (KTM) 57:30:48 
9. Christophe Nambotin (KTM) 58:41:81 

Enduro 2 
1. Jamie McCanney (Yamaha) 57:08:73 
2. Josep Garcia (KTM) 57:17:72 
3. Davide Guarneri (Honda) 57:32:57 
4. Eero Remes (TM) 57:45:44 
5. Pascal Rauchenecker (Husqvarna) 57:52:92 
8. Daniel Sanders (KTM) 58:28:54 

Championship Standings (After Round 5) 

EnduroGP 
1. Steve Holcombe (Beta) 214 
2. Loic Larrieu (Yamaha) 186 
3. Christophe Nambotin (KTM) 169 
4. Nathan Watson (KTM) 164 
5. Matt Phillips (Sherco) 160 
9. Jaume Betriu (KTM) 108 

Enduro 2 
1. Josep Garcia (KTM) 223 points 
2. Jamie McCanney (Yamaha) 211 
3. Eero Remes (TM) 199 
4. Pascal Rauchenecker (Husqvarna) 170 
5. Danny McCanney (Husqvarna) 139 
6. Daniel Sanders (KTM) 127 
13. Rudy Moroni (KTM) 57 
23. Lars Enockl (KTM) 10


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