Moving north from the incredibly hot and dusty trails of Tuscany in Italy to the sandy and technically demanding forestry of Scandinavia, hopes are high for two of team’s northerly-based riders to deliver memorable and winning results in Sweden.
After his stunning victory on day one at the GP of Italy, Finland’s Juha Salminen is a rider very much on form and will be eager to repeat another winning performance in his home territory of Scandinavia. Sitting third overall in Enduro 2 and just 18 points behind the series leader, the vastly experienced world champion knows that round six of the eight round series is the perfect opportunity to challenge for victory and significantly reduce his points deficit as he bids for his second consecutive world title with Husqvarna.
Italy’s Alex Salvini makes a welcome return to EWC competition having missed his home race due to EnduroX commitments at the X-Games in the US last June. Dropping to seventh overall in the championship standings, Salvini will be keen to return to the podium in Sweden and make his presence felt once more.
Putting his disappointing early season results firmly behind him, Matti Seistola is riding a crest of a wave in Enduro 1. Regaining his form of old, Seistola has visited the podium four times in the last four races while narrowly missing out on victory on day two in Italy. Knowing that the sandy terrain will be very much to the Finnish rider’s liking, Seistola will be aiming high in Karlsborg.
With a non-finish on day two in the GP of Italy, the fifth round of the season marked a difficult one for Enduro 1 rider Lorenzo Santolino. Sitting outside the top ten in the standings in 11th, the young, talented Spaniard will be eager to make amends for his misfortune as the championship enters the latter stages of the season.
2012 EWC Standings (after five rounds)
Enduro 1
1. Antoine Meo (KTM) 160; 2. Rodrig Thain (Honda) 130; 3. Eero Remes (KTM) 128; 4. Matti Seistola (Husqvarna) 117; 5. Thomas Oldrati (KTM) 108… 11. Lorenzo Santolino (Husqvarna) 55…
Enduro 2
1. Cristobal Guerrero (KTM) 155; 2. Pierre Alexandre Renet (Husaberg) 151; 3. Juha Salminen (Husqvarna) 137; 4. Ivan Cervantes (Gas Gas) 120; 5. Johnny Aubert (KTM) 98… 7. Alex Salvini (Husqvarna) 80…
