Enduro

Garcia Tops A Wet And Wild TrÌ¬fle LozÌ©rien AMV Day One

Posted:

Sunday, May 19th, 2019

1:30 AM

Garcia Tops A Wet And Wild TrÌ¬fle LozÌ©rien AMV Day One

Josep Garcia has performed best on the wet, grassy special tests of the TrÌ¬fle LozÌ©rien AMV to claim victory on day one . Photo: Future7Media

At round two of the World Enduro Super Series Spain‰Ûªs Josep Garcia has performed best on the wet, grassy special tests of the TrÌ¬fle LozÌ©rien AMV to claim victory on day one.

With heavy rain greeting competitors on the opening day of racing, Garcia secured a 20-second winning margin over Brit Nathan Watson, with Yamaha Outsiders‰Ûª Jamie McCanney completing the top three.

After last weekend‰Ûªs Hard Enduro opener in Portugal, the second stop of the 2019 series saw riders click into Classic Enduro mode. For day one of the TrÌ¬fle LozÌ©rien AMV, the 600-plus entry were faced with over 200 kilometres of riding and five timed special tests. After a cold and damp start to the day, the forecasted rain arrived, ensuring a testing wet, muddy and slippery day in the saddle for all.

At the head of the field it was McCanney who led the way after the opening special test with Watson, Jeremy Tarroux and Garcia in tow.

McCanney put in a strong performance on day one for third . Photo: Future7Media

On the second special test Garcia hit his stride. Topping the time sheets, he took over control of the race lead and was never headed. Sweeping the remaining three tests, the Spaniard ended day one with a 20-second lead.

‰ÛÏThat was about as good of a day as I could have in these conditions," Garcia said. "Having an early start number this year certainly made a big difference in how I could ride the tests and I felt like I was able to show my real speed. The wet grass was slippery, but I never made any major errors and pretty much stayed on two wheels all day. I‰Ûªve a good lead ending today but I know that could change with one mistake tomorrow so there‰Ûªs no reason to let off the gas just yet.‰Û

Heavy rain ensured a testing day in the saddle for all. Photo: Future7Media

McCanney syaing, ‰ÛÏYeah I‰Ûªm happy with the start I made today in what were slippery conditions due to the rain. I was fastest in the first test, but then lost the front end on the second test and had a crash. With the rain starting to fall it was hard to judge the grip levels and I just pushed a bit too hard. It took a few tests to regroup and find my groove again, but third fastest today is good. To be honest, I‰Ûªve been out of the Classic Enduro game for nearly eight months racing Rally, so in this company it‰Ûªs good to see my pace is still strong.‰Û

Gauging grip levels in the wet was key to success - Photo: Future7Media

Results: WESS Round 2 - TrÌ¬fle LozÌ©rien AMV, Day 1
1. Josep Garcia (KTM ‰ÛÒ ESP) 21:45.147
2. Nathan Watson (KTM ‰ÛÒ GB) 22:05.711 +20.564
3. Jamie McCanney (Yamaha ‰ÛÒ GB) 22:08.315 +23.168
4. Jeremy Tarroux (Sherco ‰ÛÒ FRA) 22:10.928 +25.781
5. Julien Gauthier (Yamaha ‰ÛÒ FRA) 22:14.218 29.071
6. Jeremy Miroir (Sherco ‰ÛÒ FRA) 22:27.361 +42.214
7. Theo Espinasse (Sherco ‰ÛÒ FRA) 22:33.546 48.399
8. Emmanuel Albepart (Yamaha ‰ÛÒ FRA) 22:34.284 +49.137
9. Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas ‰ÛÒ FRA) 22:37.079 +51.932
10. Jonny Walker (KTM ‰ÛÒ GB) 22:40.582 +55.435