Edition three of the FIM SuperMoto of Nations was a close one on the fabulous all bitumen track of Pleven in Bulgaria where 15,000 spectators showed up and even celebrated an unexpected home podium. Italy won with France taking second.
Italy took the Francesco Zerbi Trophy despite the technical problems affecting Davide Gozzini in the opening heat. Ivan Lazzarini added a little bit of drama to the final heat crashing out at the beginning of lap two as Attilio Pignotti rode two solid heats to help the squad secure their second Francesco Zerbi Trophy.
Second on the rostrum was team France. Final moto winner Sylvain Bidart alongside SMoN debutants Adrien Goguet and Stephane Blot could not defend last year‰Ûªs victory but went home with a promising second.
Team Bulgaria with Alexander Georgiev, Ales Hlad and Rosen Tonchev actually finished a solid third on their first ever podium that was decided in a breathtaking final moto.
Great Britain was a virtual third in the final heat but took fourth eventually with the Czech Republic rounding off the top five.
The Supermoto of Nations is a unique event and comes once a year though after today‰Ûªs great show in Pleven the SuperMoto action continues. Next weekend in Thessaloniki the Greek Grand Prix will take place and put an end to the GP campaign. Both the S1 and S2 World Titles will be taken there.
HEAT 1 - S1 + S2
1. Ivan Lazzarini (ITA, Aprilia), 18:30.452
2. Alexander Georgiev (BUL, KTM), +0:06.533
3. Matthew Winstanley (GBR, KTM), +0:08.779
4. Sylvain Bidart (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:09.277
5. Adrien Goguet (FRA, Husaberg), +0:14.820
HEAT 2 ‰ÛÒ S2 + OPEN
1. Davide Gozzini (ITA, TM), 18:43.043
2. Chris Hodgson (GBR, KTM), +0:03.529
3. Adrien Goguet (FRA, Husaberg), +0:07.808
4. Attilio Pignotti (ITA, KTM), +0:08.206
5. Jiri Bocek (CZE, Honda), +0:11.021
HEAT 3 ‰ÛÒ S1 + OPEN
1. Sylvain Bidart (FRA, Husqvarna), 18:20.671
2. Matthew Winstanley (GBR, KTM), +0:00.891
3. Ivan Lazzarini (ITA, Aprilia), +0:21.381
4. Attilio Pignotti (ITA, KTM), +0:25.752
5. Jiri Bocek (CZE, Honda), +0:27.893
Nations classification top five FINAL:
Italy,
France,
Bulgaria,
Great Britain,
Czech Republic
