With the region of Orge, Latvia in the midst of a summer heat wave, organisers brought forward the starting time of day two to try and spare the competitors. However, as luck would have it, temperatures proved to a lot cooler on day two and combined with the short but intense rain shower, the course became extremely challenging for all. On the enduro test, the sharp rainfall resulted in slippery gravel track for riders to follow while also filling up numerous mud holes out on the liaison section.
Extending his lead in the Enduro 1 championship, Finland’s Roni Nikander enjoyed a near flawless day to secure his second win of the weekend. Behind him the battle for the runner up position intensified between Portugal’s Luis Oliveira (Yamaha) and Germany’s Edward Hubner (Yamaha). With little to separate the duo throughout the day, Oliveira topped the final special test of the weekend to claim second.
Belgium’s Cedric Cremer (Honda) was once again the rider to beat in Enduro 2. Seeing off a strong challenge from Holland’s Robin Nijkamp (KTM), Cremer won his class and extended his lead in the championship. Recording his second top three result of the weekend, Holland’s Mark Wassink (KTM) placed third.
Bringing his participation in this year’s European Enduro Championship to a close due to Enduro World Championship commitments, Estonia’s Aigar Leok (TM) claimed his fourth consecutive win in Enduro 3. Chasing him home for second, Italy’s Maurizio Micheluz (Honda) finished 36 seconds behind him. Improving on his previous day’s result, Italy’s Mirko Gritti (KTM) completed the top three.
After a slow start to the day, Sweden’s Martin Larsson (Husaberg) overhauled Britain’s Jack Rowland to secure victory in Junior E1. With four wins in Estonia and Latvia, Larsson now holds a 37-point lead in the championship with one round remaining. After a difficult start to the weekend due to suspected food poisoning, Husqvarna’s Jack Rowland returned to form on day two and placed second. Italy’s Tomasso Montanari (KTM) was third.
Italy’s Gianluca Martini (Beta) was in a determined mood on day two and comfortably topped the Junior E2/E3 standings. Placing 44 seconds behind the Italian, Estonia’s Martin Leok (KTM) finished second with Sweden’s Tommy Sjostrom (KTM) in third.
The European Enduro Championship now takes a short break before resuming for the fourth and final round of the series in Krompachy, Slovakia on August 17-19.
