Enduro

Garcia Storms To Victory At TrÌ¬fle LozÌ©rien AMV, WESS Round Two

Posted:

Monday, May 20th, 2019

10:02 AM

Garcia Storms To Victory At TrÌ¬fle LozÌ©rien AMV, WESS Round Two

Spain‰Ûªs Josep Garcia has won round two of the World Enduro Super Series, storming to victory at France‰Ûªs TrÌ¬fle LozÌ©rien AMV.

In testing conditions, Garcia became the first non-French winner in the 33-year history of the race. With Yamaha‰Ûªs Jamie McCanney and Nathan Watson finishing second and third respectively, it also marked the first time a French rider placed outside the top three.

For 2019, 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‰Ûªs most-prestigious Enduro - TrÌ¬fle LozÌ©rien AMV - ensured the 719 kilometres of riding were both physically and mentally demanding for all.

With victory on days one and two, Garcia entered the third and final day of racing as the rider to beat. Holding a 30-second advantage over McCanney and Jeremy Tarroux, the race was his to lose.

Jamie McCanney showed his pace all weekend to place as runner-up. Photo: Future7Media

Second fastest to McCanney on the opening test, Garcia then won tests two and three. With victory almost his, another second fastest time on the penultimate test set things up for the 15th and final special test of the three-day race. With rain falling heavily, he kept things safe to cross the finish line as a first-time winner of TrÌ¬fle LozÌ©rien AMV and victor of round two of the World Enduro Super Series.

‰ÛÏTo 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 TrÌ¬fle LozÌ©rien, is amazing," Garcia said. "The conditions really didn‰Ûªt suit me ‰ÛÒ I‰Ûªm not really a big fan of wet, slippery mud. But I pushed hard on all special tests and, well, everything went perfectly. Coming here straight from Extreme Lagares wasn‰Ûªt easy but I knew this race was going to be important to my WESS championship.‰Û

Nathan Watson charges across the finish line for third. Photo: Future7Media

Behind him, the battle for the remainder of the podium places was fierce. Helped in part by setting the quickest time on the opening test this morning, McCanney held his ground over his rivals to take the runner-up result.

‰ÛÏRight from when I started walking the special tests here in France I knew Josep Garcia would be the rider to watch. When conditions weren‰Ûªt too wet, or when they suited the 450 more, I managed to win some tests," McCanney explained. "And I‰Ûªm really pleased about that. But Garcia was really strong throughout the event. I‰Ûªve 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‰Ûªve got is really great. Despite the weather it‰Ûªs been a great event. I can‰Ûªt say if I‰Ûªll be back for more WESS racing, but I‰Ûªd love to compete at Hawkstone if my schedule allows it.‰Û

Josep Garcia, flanked by McCanney and Watson, becomes the first non-French rider to win TrÌ¬fle LozÌ©rien AMV. Photo: Future7Media

Results ‰ÛÒ Round 2: TrÌ¬fle LozÌ©rien AMV 2019
1. Josep Garcia (KTM - ESP) 01:03:07.557
2. Jaime McCanney (Yamaha - GB) 1:03:49.586 +42.029
3. Nathan Watson (KTM - GB) 1:03:55.612 +48.055
4. Julien Gauthier (Yamaha - FR) 1:03:57.013 +49.456
5. Jeremy Tarroux (Sherco - FR) 1:04:10.136 +1:02.579
6. Theo Espinasse (Sherco - FR) 1:05:04.311 +1:56.754
7. Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas - FR) 1:05:10.817 +2:03.260
8. Emmanuel Albepart (Yamaha - FR) 1:05:21.908 +2:14.351
9. Jonny Walker (KTM - GB) 1:05:31.888 +2:24.331
10. Joe Wootton (Husqvarna - GB) 1:05:52.828 +2:45.271