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CH Husqvarna Racing Team does victorious in the first round of the Enduro Championship
The opening round of the 2011 Enduro World Championship has delivered much in the way of success for the Husqvarna CH Racing Monster Energy Team with no fewer than five team riders enjoying podium success, with Juha Salminen and Antoine Meo taking early leads in the Enduro 1 and Enduro 2 classes respectively. With Juha and team-mate Matti Seistola claiming a double one-two finish at the top of the E1 class things couldn’t have gone better for the team. And with Antoine Meo joining Salminen in securing a double winning result in the Enduro 2 class the squad had much to be pleased about as they began early preparations for the second round of the series in Portugal next weekend.



Making his WEC debut for the team aboard a 250cc four-stoke machine, Juha Salminen immediately showed that he’s ready to do all that he can to secure world title #8 this season. Putting his many years of experience to good use Salminen trailed team-mate Seistola for much of the day before a mistake by Matti saw Juha move into the class lead. Simply making fewer mistakes than his rivals Salminen made the best possible start to his E1 championship campaign finishing 10 seconds ahead of his team-mate and claiming a deserved victory. For Seistola the disappointment of letting the win slip through his fingers was soon overcome as he claimed a strong runner-up result, ensuring a memorable one-two result for Husqvarna. Day two saw Salminen and Seistola again back on the top two steps of the E1 class podium. With Salminen taking control at the front of the class Seistola had to overcome an early mistake on the extreme test to fight his way back into contention. Eventually claiming the runner-up spot Matti finished just nine seconds behind his countryman and team-mate.

Juha Salminen – Enduro 1: ‘It’s been a great weekend for me. Also a tough weekend because the track was really bumpy and dusty, but winning both days is a great start to the championship. It’s been a good weekend, with good results, and I’m pleased that we can put the first race behind us now and focus on the rest of the championship and hopefully continue with similar results. I felt really comfortable on my bike and generally didn’t have any problems on either day. I think the important thing was that I didn’t make any mistakes, that really helped me. I would have liked to be a few seconds faster but after the last few years not going so well it’s nice to be competitive again, and competitive all the way through both days. I was able to push as hard at the end of the days as I was at the start, which was great. I’m happy with everything, it’s a great start to the championship.’

Matti Seistola – Enduro 1: ‘It’s been a great start to the world championship for me, I’m really pleased all the work during the winter paid off as I felt strong during both days and with good speed, too. The first day was really good. I did make one mistake, on the enduro test, which cost me the win. But to see that my speed was good and to start the championship on the podium was great. I didn’t feel great at the start of the second day and then made a big mistake on the first extreme test, which cost me 15 seconds. Before the last lap I was in fifth place and about 16 seconds behind the other riders, so to finish second again is great. I had to work really hard throughout the weekend, so it’s an even better result for me. Juha rode really well and without mistakes, so to finish behind him on both days was just great. A fantastic start to the year.’

As last year’s Enduro 1 World Champion all eyes were on Antoine Meo at the GP of Spain and the start of his expected Enduro 2 title fight with countryman Johnny Aubert. But making a costly mistake during the Friday night Super Test and then another early on day one Meo was forced to pull out all the stops in order to claim victory. With Aubert sidelined with a mechanical problem on day one Meo showed the kind of form that saw him win his first EWC title last year, eventually placing 20 seconds ahead of Spaniard Ivan Cervantes. Day two saw a second victory for Meo as he again proved to be too fast for his E2 class rivals. Not making any mistakes Antoine pushed himself and his bike hard throughout the day to again finish ahead of Cervantes. In doing so he took an early and important lead in the Enduro 2 championship standings. Competing alongside Antoine in the E2 class was Simone Albergoni who made a strong start to the series placing fifth on day one and fourth on day two.

Antoine Meo – Enduro 2: ‘I never imagined the first race of the year would end up like it has. The race itself was very physical and really took a lot out of me. But winning on both days is great. I’m disappointed that Johnny Aubert wasn’t able to finish either day, because for the championship it’s not a good thing. But I had my work cut out keeping Ivan Cervantes behind me. But I felt like I rode well on both days. Being in a new class and on a new bike it means that the first race is really important to see where you are, and how fast you are. And my speed was good. I was nervous before the start and made a mistake on the Friday night Super Test and lost eight seconds. Then at the start of the first day I crashed on the enduro test and had to work hard to come back. On the second day I didn’t make any mistakes and, well, I’m really happy to be leading the E2 world championship.’

Playing his part in ensuring Husqvarna placed on the podium in all three senior classes on day one Seb Guillaume claimed a hard fought third place result in the competitive Enduro 3 class, just over 30 seconds behind winner Mika Ahola. In contention for a top two result right up until the final enduro test of the opening day a mistake by the Frenchman left him unable to finish higher than third. On day two Seb narrowly missed the podium, placing just seven seconds adrift of the final rostrum spot.

Seb Guillaume – Enduro 3: ‘Third on the first day was good for me. I crashed in the last enduro test, which is when I lost contact with Ahola and Nambotin. Before that I was riding well and fighting with the other riders, so I’m a little disappointed that I wasn’t able to finish higher than third. But third is still a good start to the championship. I lost a lot of time on the first extreme test on the first lap of the second day and then lost a lot of time because I lost me rear brake. I could see that I wasn’t going to be able to fight back onto the podium so I’m happy with fourth. It’s been a good start to the year.’

In the junior division Giacomo Redondi made his Enduro World Championship debut with a runner-up result in the 125cc Youth Cup his best result.
Giacomo Redondi – Enduro Junior: ‘It’s my first Enduro World Championship race so everything was new for me, but I’m pleased with everything. I had one very big crash on the first day but I still managed to finish second in the 125cc class. I was faster on the second day than on day one but I crashed on the enduro test. After the second lap I was 10th in the Enduro Junior class and second in the 125s, which I was happy with. I had a small problem during the last two tests, which didn’t help, but I enjoyed the competition and learned many, many things.’

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