Eero Remes #2
Nationality: Finnish
Team: KTM Factory Enduro
Bike: KTM 250 EXC-F
The quiet man of Enduro 1, Remes has steadily worked his way up the rankings over the last three years to finish second to his fellow countryman Juha Salminen (Husqvarna) in 2011. By also winning the ISDE outright, the past 12-months have marked his best season to date – but he’s not done yet. Remes wants nothing more than to be world champion and in 2012 he’ll settle for nothing less.
Matti Seistola #3
Nationality: Finnish
Team: Husqvarna CH Racing
Bike: Husqvarna TE 250
Taking victory in Italy, Turkey and Romania ensured Seistola of third overall in the 2011 Enduro 1 championship. Although hampered by a critical non-score in Portugal, Seistola still managed to finish his season just 21 points adrift of Remes. Showing now that he has the potential to win races, can he turn that speed into consistency and win championships?
Rodrig Thain #4
Nationality: French
Team: HM Honda
Bike: Honda CRF 250
At the final round of the 2011 championship in France, Thain finally did what everyone knew he was capable of by winning his first Enduro World Championship race. Making the switch to Enduro 1 with HM Honda proved dividends for the Frenchman by clinching fourth overall in the championship along with seven podium results. Now that he knows the ecstasy of winning, Thain will be gunning for glory in Chile.
Lorenzo Santolino #5
Nationality: Spanish
Team: Husqvarna CH Racing
Bike: Husqvarna TE 250
After a fruitful learning year within the Senior ranks, the 2010 Junior Enduro World Champion is ready to lift his game in 2012. Regularly placing within the top five in Enduro 1, the young Spaniard recorded his best finished of the season with fourth in Italy and France. Switching teams to Husqvarna CH Racing, Santolino will be keen to impress with podium results.
Antoine Meo #8
Nationality: French
Team: KTM Factory Enduro
Bike: KTM 250 EXC-F
After joining the Enduro World Championship in 2008, Antoine has quickly established himself as one of the most formidable riders in the paddock. Winning his first world championship in Enduro 1 during 2010 he then went on to become Enduro 2 champion the following year. Securing both titles with Husqvarna, Meo now switches teams by moving to KTM while also dropping back down into Enduro 1. As a rider that’s on top of his game right now, Meo must be considered as one of the standout favourites for 2012.
And Finally...
Behind the top five in Enduro 1 is a long list of riders capable mixing things up. The French pairing of Nicolas Deparrois (Kawasaki) and Fabien Planet (Sherco) have tasted success before and will be aiming to do it again. After a season hampered by injury, Italian Thomas Oldrati returns with the highly professional outfit of Bordone-Ferrari KTM and with the goal of re-establishing himself as a front-runner in enduro.
Joining the Enduro 1 class for 2012 is two of last seasons highly touted Junior enduro stars. Jeremy Joly, the current Junior World Champion, will be eager to shine on his Yamaha. Antti Hellsten enters the Senior ranks as a full-fledged factory rider with TM Racing. Although winning five races during 2011, Hellsten’s season was cut short due to injury. Now fully healed, he has high hopes of delivering top results this season. Adding in the unknown capabilities of Husqvarna’s CH Racing’s Ricky Dietrich ensures the fight for top honours in Enduro 1 remains as competitive as ever.
