Australia's Jessica Gardiner has been denied her maiden Enduro World Championship round win after a protest at the conclusion of racing on day one at the second round of the Women EWC held in Portugal on the weekend.
Gardiner was originally credited with the round win after the opening special test results were removed from the days overall results, due to a few riders being waved around a difficult section of the timed test.
It was a test that cost Gardiner over three minutes herself due to a crash, though being the first special stage of the day, Gardiner had the rest of the day to make up for mistake.
And make up for her mistake she did, posting the fastest time on all but one of the remaining stages during the day. The only stage she did not top the time sheets, Gardiner still finished with the second best time.
Though Gardiner stood on top of the podium directly after the day's proceedings it was not until the following day that she was informed of the decision to re-instate the first special stage results, relegating her back to fourth place for the round.
Though disappointed not get get the round win, Gardiner was still happy with how she rode on day one and knew she was the fastest rider out there, a point she wanted to prove on day two.
"The organisers originally cancelled one of the tests, but reinstated it after a protest was lodged." Gardiner explained. "It is one of those things that happens in racing sometimes."
Day two of competition was always going to be a little tougher for Gardiner, with the return of Laia Sanz who missed the opening day of racing to fly to Barcelona to race the Women's Enduro-X at X-Games where she won in convincing fashion.
Gardiner though was able to prove she was faster than all her competition on day one by finishing second to Sanz on day two, a result that lifted her to equal second in the Women's World Championship.
"I had to prove I could do it again Sunday which I managed to prove, finishing 2nd to the most amazing girl I've ever seen on a dirt bike Laia sanz" Gardiner enthused.
The Australian Sherco rider will now return to Australia to race rounds five and six of the Australian Off Road Championship, being held at Corner Inlet In Victoria this weekend the 25th and 26th of may, racing along team mate and team owner Geoff Ballard.
Top Image: Gardiner in action during the Portugal round of the 2013 EWC
