After two rounds in South America, the World Enduro Championship returned to Europe with the Spanish town of Puerto Lumbreras a few hours from Alicante playing host to the event.
The British contenders were David Knight (Honda) in E2, Danny McCanney ( Gas Gas) in the Juniors and Jamie McCanney ( Husaberg) in the Youth class. Jane Daniels was also Husaberg mounted and contesting the Women’s category.
Each lap would be 45km and the men were scheduled for 4 laps each day and the Women 3 laps. There would be a MX, Enduro and Extreme special tests on each lap.
The going as expected was dry, dusty and the sandy soil soon turned into deep ruts both on the going and on the tests.
Day 1 did not start well for Knighter, sparse route marking resulted in some E2 riders getting lost with David plunging into a hole when rushing to get back on course. The resulting thumb/wrist injury made it impossible to tackle this sort of going and the ex World Champ was forced out.
Jamie McCanney took charge of the Youth class and claimed victory, while Danny McCanney came home in 4
th spot in the Juniors. Jane Daniels dug deep in the hot dusty conditions and finished an excellent runner up to last year double World Champion Laia Sanz in the Women’s category, and ensured two Brits on the podium.
Day 2 was more of the same, but cloudy conditions made it a little more bearable for the riders. The Women only had to compete 2 laps, and while the men still had 4 laps, the very steep hill in the Extreme test which had deteriorated was cut out.
Jamie McCanney repeated the win in the Youth class giving him maximum points over the weekend. Danny seemed faster in the tests on Day 2 and retained 4
th Junior spot. Jane Daniels dropped a place to 3
rd but was well satisfied with the weekends work.
David Knight was understandably bitterly disappointed and was returning home for specialist treatment to his injury.
Ivan Cervantes gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about posting best results of weekend and of course Laia Sanz also gave them plenty applaud.
Next weekend the World Championship moves to Portugal and many hope for a more varied course and tests