The opening two rounds of the MFJ Japan Enduro Championship – the Sugo Two Days Enduro held on the outskirts of Sendai-city in the eastern region of Japan – saw Yamaha mounted Kanji Suzuki claim overall victory on both days.
Like all four rounds of the 2012 JEC series the Sugo event followed a traditional enduro format, with a ‘Finalcross’ at the end of the second day. The event was also a selection race for the Japanese ISDE team.
Last year, Sendai City was devastated by the earthquake and tsunami, but the hard work of many passionate local riders ensured another great event. Not even the out-of-season snow and muddy trails dampened the spirits of the competitors.
The special tests were very tough, because of the snowy conditions, with 90 per cent of the Elite class riders finishing but only 50 per cent of the competitors in the other classes. Kenji Suzuki, the former ISDE Trophy team rider from 2006 and 2007, dominated both days of competition. Taichi Tanaka(KTM), who finished the Erzberg Rodeo in 2011, was among the competitors at the season opener, finishing fifth on day one.
Report: Big Tank Magazine, Photos: Masanori INAGAKI
Japan Enduro Championship 2012, Round 1 IA-class (Elite)
1. Kenji SUZUKI?YAMAHA YZ250F
2. Masanari OHTA KTM 250XCW
3. Tomoyasu IKEDA?450EXC-R
4. Yusuke KONDA?YAMAHA YZ150
5. Taichi TANAKA?KTM 250XC-W
6. Jun OHKAWARA?HUSABERG TE250
Japan Enduro Championship 2012, Round 2 IA-class (Elite)
1. Kenji SUZUKI?YAMAHA YZ250F
2. Masanari OHTA KTM 250XCW
3. Taisuke MIZUKAMI?KTM250SX-F
4. Yusuke KONDA?YAMAHA YZ150
5. Jun OHKAWARA?HUSABERG TE250
6. Makoto OHKAWA?KTM 150XC
