Knight extends lead in Enduro 3 world champs
April 18, 2010, 7:26pm
KTM Farioli Enduro Factory Support Team rider David Knight has extended his lead at the top of the Enduro 3 World Championship standings following yet more impressive performances in this year’s Enduro World Championship. A double E3 class winner at the dry and dusty GP of Spain, Knight narrowly missed the top step of the podium on day one of the GP of Portugal, beaten by his closest championship rival Christophe Nambotin by just two seconds. On day Knight showed his true class and dominated the proceedings to claim a commanding 27-second winning margin.
Conditions at the GP of Portugal were very different to those at last week’s GP of Spain. Rain during the days leading up to the event, and heavy downpours during both Friday and Saturday nights, added to a rock littered and technical course, ensured a demanding two days. Winning the Friday night Super Test Knight started the first day ahead having just edged out his KTM team-mate Simone Albergoni. Following a day-long battle with Christophe, David finished as runner-up.
Day two saw the Manxman back at the top of the E3 class results as he revelled in the tough conditions. Winning four of the day’s special tests and easing his pace as the day neared its close, he enjoyed a near 30-second winning margin and secured his third day win out of four so far this season. David now has an eight-point lead at the top of the E3 championship standings. Knighter’s next event will be the second and third rounds of the British Enduro Sprint Championship, which takes in Dorset, England, on April 24/25.
David Knight: ‘It’s been a really good weekend. I’m a little bit disappointed that I wasn’t able to win on day one as things were so close, but I guess I made up for it with the win on day two. Saturday was one of those days when I was riding well but the times just weren’t coming for me. We made some changes to my bike at the end of the day, which I wasn’t completely sure would work, but it seemed to do the trick. My biggest problem with the tests being so tight and twisty was that I was between gears at times. That was enough to allow Christophe to get the upper hand. Once we made the changes the second day started well. We made some alterations to the bike during the day as well, and I think we really know what do to improve things in different conditions now. Although it’s been a tough weekend I feel more confident in my riding and in the way I know the bike now. I feel more confident than I did going into Spain. I know that I can perform well on any extreme test, but I really had to work hard on the enduro and motocross tests here on day one. On day two the times came a little easier, which is what was so encouraging. I’m really pleased with the way Spain and Portugal have gone. I’m looking forward to the rest of the championship now.’
2010 Enduro World Championship
Grand Prix of Portugal – Day 1
Enduro 3
1. Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas) 46:42.96
2. David Knight (KTM Farioli Enduro Factory Support Team) 46:45.49
3. Simone Albergoni (KTM) 46:57.06
4. Oriol Mena (Husaberg) 47:04.35
5. Bartosz Oblucki (Husqvarna) 47:06.18
2010 Enduro World Championship
Grand Prix of Portugal – Day 2
Enduro 3
1. David Knight (KTM Farioli Enduro Factory Support Team) 47:34.57
2. Simone Albergoni (KTM) 48:01.97
3. Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas) 48:19.23
4. Oriol Mena (Husaberg) 49:31.00
5. Seb Guillaume (Husqvarna) 49:48.51
Conditions at the GP of Portugal were very different to those at last week’s GP of Spain. Rain during the days leading up to the event, and heavy downpours during both Friday and Saturday nights, added to a rock littered and technical course, ensured a demanding two days. Winning the Friday night Super Test Knight started the first day ahead having just edged out his KTM team-mate Simone Albergoni. Following a day-long battle with Christophe, David finished as runner-up.
Day two saw the Manxman back at the top of the E3 class results as he revelled in the tough conditions. Winning four of the day’s special tests and easing his pace as the day neared its close, he enjoyed a near 30-second winning margin and secured his third day win out of four so far this season. David now has an eight-point lead at the top of the E3 championship standings. Knighter’s next event will be the second and third rounds of the British Enduro Sprint Championship, which takes in Dorset, England, on April 24/25.
David Knight: ‘It’s been a really good weekend. I’m a little bit disappointed that I wasn’t able to win on day one as things were so close, but I guess I made up for it with the win on day two. Saturday was one of those days when I was riding well but the times just weren’t coming for me. We made some changes to my bike at the end of the day, which I wasn’t completely sure would work, but it seemed to do the trick. My biggest problem with the tests being so tight and twisty was that I was between gears at times. That was enough to allow Christophe to get the upper hand. Once we made the changes the second day started well. We made some alterations to the bike during the day as well, and I think we really know what do to improve things in different conditions now. Although it’s been a tough weekend I feel more confident in my riding and in the way I know the bike now. I feel more confident than I did going into Spain. I know that I can perform well on any extreme test, but I really had to work hard on the enduro and motocross tests here on day one. On day two the times came a little easier, which is what was so encouraging. I’m really pleased with the way Spain and Portugal have gone. I’m looking forward to the rest of the championship now.’
2010 Enduro World Championship
Grand Prix of Portugal – Day 1
Enduro 3
1. Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas) 46:42.96
2. David Knight (KTM Farioli Enduro Factory Support Team) 46:45.49
3. Simone Albergoni (KTM) 46:57.06
4. Oriol Mena (Husaberg) 47:04.35
5. Bartosz Oblucki (Husqvarna) 47:06.18
2010 Enduro World Championship
Grand Prix of Portugal – Day 2
Enduro 3
1. David Knight (KTM Farioli Enduro Factory Support Team) 47:34.57
2. Simone Albergoni (KTM) 48:01.97
3. Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas) 48:19.23
4. Oriol Mena (Husaberg) 49:31.00
5. Seb Guillaume (Husqvarna) 49:48.51
