Juha Salminen secured the Husqvarna Enduro Team by CH Racing’s best result at the third round of the 2012 Enduro World Championship, the GP of Euskadi held in North East Spain, despite what was largely a frustrating weekend for the eight-time EWC champion. With tough, muddy conditions throughout both days of competition Juha claimed a third place result in the ultra competitive Enduro 2 class on day two, but a succession of mistakes on day one saw Juha place fifth in class.

In stark contrast to the extremely dry and dusty conditions at the opening two rounds of the 2012 Enduro World Championship series the GP of Euskadi delivered a challenging weekend for all competitors. While the weather remained largely dry throughout both days of competition, all of the special tests and the entire length of the course became heavily rutted, and hugely challenging.

Third in the E2 class during the Friday night Super Test, Juha made a solid start to the first full day of competition by placing second on the opening extreme test. Frustratingly, day one ended with Juha unable to challenge for a podium result. Despite his best efforts he placed fifth, one-minute and 20 seconds behind class winner Pierre Alexandre Renet.

Day two proved to be much more productive for Salminen. Riding extremely well on the opening lap, and winning the first motocross test, Juha kept up his good form throughout the day and earned a well-deserved third place result.

In the Enduro 1 class there was little in the way of success for the Husqvarna Enduro Team by CH Racing as both team riders Matti Seistola and Lorenzo Santolino struggled to produce their best form. On day one the two team riders were separated by just six seconds, but with Seistola in ninth position and Santolino in 10th.

Day two proved to a be a little better for Seistola as the Finn improved to seventh, ending his day with a runner-up result on the event’s final motocross test. Disappointingly Santolino failed to finish the day.

The Husqvarna Enduro Team by CH Racing now travel to Portugal for next weekend’s round four of the Enduro World Championship.

Juha Salminen – Enduro 2: “It’s been a tough weekend with a lot of mud and ruts. I found the first day tough and seemed to struggle with everything, including myself. I just focused on surviving the day and getting the best result I could. The second day was a little better. I just tried to avoid making mistakes. I felt pretty good on most of the test and to get back on the podium is a step in the right direction, but the times that I hoped to set on some of the tests just weren’t happening.”

Matti Seistola – Enduro 1: “I’ve struggled this weekend, which is frustrating for myself and the team. In conditions like we had, which were very slippery, you have to have a good feeling with your bike. If not it’s so, so difficult to push. And if you can’t push like you want then it’s impossible to get the results you want. That was pretty much my situation this weekend. I really hoped that after the South American races that I’d be able to start turning things around. The second day was a little bit better for me than the first, but still not what it needs to be. It’s been a frustrating weekend.”