In the Junior World Trophy team competition day two saw a new race order emerge. As a result of Italy dropping out of the running as far as podium positions are concerned due to non-finishes from Thomas Oldrati (Husaberg) and Gianluca Martini (Beta), Great Britain became the new race leaders. With Danny McCanney (Gas Gas) delivering a strong result, they hold a slender 38-second advantage over second placed France. Putting their disastrous start to the event behind them the French notably improved on their fourth placed result from day one and are now within striking distance of the class leaders. Also improving on their day one result of fifth, the USA moved into third overall in the Junior World Trophy classification. Hampered by a disappointing non-finish from Ben Burrell (KTM), Australia dropped one position to fourth, while Portugal complete the top five.
Here’s the summary of how the top ten countries in the World Trophy Team faired after day two.
1. France – 11:10:46.60
Although we’re only two days into the ISDE, France are already beginning to runaway with the event. Firmly established at the front of the field, they now hold a massive 12-minute lead over Australia. While this time it was KTM mounted Anotine Meo that took the overall individual day win from Husaberg’s Pela Renet, it’s Renet that hang’s onto the overall classification with a slender two-second gap over Meo. After two days of racing France hold the top four positions in the individual overall standings courtesy of Meo, Renet, Christophe Nambotin (KTM) and Johnny Aubert (KTM). However, while they appear to be running away with things, they do have a wounded rider in the form of Rodrig Thain (Honda). Thain, who’s riding in extreme back pain due to a crash in a recent round of the French national enduro championship, admitted that it’s hard to hang on at times but is determined to see finish. How this pans out and affects the team’s results remains to be seen.
2. Australia – 11:22:46.68 +12:00.08 (time behind leader)
Australia are getting better. The Aussies are beginning to get into the flow of things and on day two, they firmly cemented their second place position behind France. KTM’s Toby Price is feeling a lot more comfortable than he did on day one and is starting to adapt to the special tests.
“Yesterday was pretty tough,” admitted Price. “I crashed hard and had to replace three spokes in the front wheel. The enduro test was pretty badly chewed up today and it was so easy to lose time in the mud holes. I played it safe and just tried to avoid getting stuck. Everybody is home safe today so we just got to keep plugging on – tomorrow is a new day and a new course so I’m looking forward to that.”
3. Italy – 11:27:45.33 + 16:58.73
Italy came on song on day two and jumped two places from fifth overall to third. Again, it’s Husqvarna’s Alex Salvini that delivered the best results for the Italians. He holds down seventh position in the overall individual standings and is now third overall in E2. Behind him, the rest of the team are evenly matched and by posting consistent results on the scoreboard they’re sure to continue fighting hard for a podium spot.
4. Finland – 11:29:17.60 + 18:31.00
Day two was a mixed day at the office for Finland. Eero Remes (KTM) was again the top performing Finnish rider but with a couple of crashes on the opening lap he wasn’t quite able to keep as close to the French as he had hoped for. On day two, luck wasn’t on the side of Juha Salminen (Husqvarna). After a solid fifth overall on day one, he was hampered by numerous technical issues but managed to sort them out as the day progressed. By the end the day he was firing on all cylinders. However, those issues now put them about 90 seconds behind Italy.
5. Spain - 11:29:37.77 + 18:51.17
Spain endured a difficult day two. Team leader Cristobal Guerrero (KTM) was forced to retire when he lost the front end of his KTM during the enduro test and badly hurt his shoulder. With Guerrero out, Gas Gas’ Ivan Cervantes was the top performing Spaniard, while Husqvarna’s Lorenzo Santolino maintained his position of third overall in E1. “Today I crashed in the first enduro test,” remarked Santolino. “It wasn’t a big crash but I lost a little bit too much time remounting. Otherwise my day was relatively trouble free and I enjoyed the cross test much better. Unfortunately Cristobal injured himself today so it’s made things difficult for the team. But we’ll do out best and keep fighting on.”
6. USA 11:30:12.19 + 19:25.59
Maintaining their sixth place position from day one, USA now finds themselves over one-minute and 30 seconds adrift of a top five result. KTM’s Charlie Mullins placed as the fastest team rider edging out Taylor Robert (Kawasaki) by three seconds. Commenting on the team’s performance and of his own, Kurt Caselli confirmed, “Today was a lot better – I managed to stay up and ride safe. At the moment my test times are not where I had hoped so it’s something I need to try work on for tomorrow. I still don’t feel too comfortable on the bike and I’m still adapting to racing the special tests. Overall the team is running good, Taylor and Charlie are representing us well and no ones had anything too difficult to deal with. Day three is a new trail to ride, so I’m looking forward to that and hope to improve.”
7. Sweden 11:32:20.46 + 21.33.86
On day two, Sweden continued to perform strongly and moved within two minutes of USA. Again it’s Husaberg’s Joakim Ljunggren that claims the top spot with the Swedish team but Beta’s Robert Kvarnstrom backs him up by coming home 33 seconds behind him.
8. Great Britain – 11:48:33.81 + 37:47.21
On day two it was Jordan Rose (TM) that placed as the fastest rider from Great Britain. Struggling with hay fever, day one sensation Jamie McCanney (Husaberg) was second fastest but admitted to not having the best of day due to finding it difficult to breathe.
“I’m much more pleased with how I rode today,” said Rose. “I struggled yesterday with some jetting issues and it took some time to sort it. But day one was a lot better and I began to ride a lot smoother. I’m glad the enduro test is over as it’s took some beating. On lap one I rode it too cautious and then on lap two I attacked it harder and managed to set a better time. With a new track for day three and four, I hope to improve some more.”
9. Netherlands – 11:53:13.12 + 42:26.52
Again it’s Husaberg mounted Hans Vogels that set the fastest time for the Netherlands to help them maintain their ninth position in the World Trophy Team standings.
10. Czech Republic 12:05:53.27 + 55:06.67
The Czech Republic complete the top ten.
