Tom Sagar is the new leader of the British Enduro Championship after a win and a runner-up at the Natterjack Enduro in Hampshire at the weekend. Riding his new HM Moto CRE-F450R, Sagar made the most of David Knight's and Danny McCanney's absence (both competing in the Enduro World Championship) to claim a big haul of points and lift himself into a clear lead in the BEC overall championship standings. However, with one round remaining and riders allowed to drop their two worst scores from the eight days of racing, the championship is still a three-way battle between Sagar, Knight and McCanney.
Despite the absence of some of the championship's top performers Sagar didn't have an easy two days. Three-time E1 British champion (and a former European champion) Daryl Bolter fought Sagar for every second of day one and when Sagar crashed and lost 20-seconds in the final cross test Bolter secured his maiden national victory on the Crescent KTM 350EXC. On day two Bolter was again Sagar's key rival but a heavy crash on the second cross test aggravated an old wrist injury and he retired. Despite not having ridden for a month due to injury, Sagar's imperious speed through the long enduro test guaranteed a comfortable victory. Sagar's performances also secured him the national E2 title with a round to spare. Two further champions were crowned at the Natterjack: Steve Holcombe (Experts) and Aled Price (Clubman). Meanwhile a double win took Mid West Husaberg's Si Wakley to the top of the E3 class and another double put MPS Husqvarna's Jack Rowland to the top of the E1 fourstrokes.
Tom Sagar: “What a great event – the Natterjack always has amazing tests, I really enjoyed that. Day one was a fight with Daryl and after the crash I knew second was the best I could achieve. Day two everything went to plan – the bike was awesome and it was great to get the bike time in after so long off.”
Andrew Martin, ACU ISDE Team Manager: “After a very difficult summer, losing key dates from our championship, the Natterjack has been a brilliant round. The REME team, who put on the round, have done an amazing job. To have created a world championship standard 10-minute enduro test is a huge undertaking and the riders thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. The cross test in the Sand Pit is now infamous in BEC – another brilliant test for riders of all levels. The trail was also first class as was the organisation and the test timing. Everybody has a right to feel very proud of the event.
“I'm happy to see the event also brought out the best in our ISDE team riders. Tom is in excellent form, he was stunning in the enduro test. Jordan Rose's transformation from motocrosser to enduro rider continues. He says he doesn't like the trees – and he hit one on day two – but his technique and speed improves with every ride. Jack Rowland was impressive as well, finishing runner-up to Tom on day two shows his capabilities. Steve Holcombe – he's ?only' an expert, but he dominated that class this weekend to take the title – but was setting top-six times overall as well. And then the Edmondsons, Paul and Lee – both in excellent form. All this on the same weekend as Danny McCanney won at the EWC while his brother Jamie and Alex Rockwell also stood on the world podium! The ACU GB ISDE team couldn't be in better shape!”
2011 ACU British Enduro Champions
Outright Champion: Greg Evans KTM 350EXC-F
E1 (two-stroke) Champion: Ashley Wood KTM 125EXC
E1 (four-stroke) Champion: Paul Edmondson KTM 250XC-F
E2 Champion: Tom Sagar KTM 450EXC
E3 Champion: Danny McCanney Gas Gas EC300
Expert Champion: Lewis Belfield KTM 250EXC
Clubman Champion: Rob Johnson Husqvarna TE250
Veterans Champion: Wyn Hughes Husqvarna TE449
2012 ACU British Enduro Championship
Round 1: February 18-19 Saints Well, Mid Wales
Round 2: April 14-15 Helmsley, North Yorks
Round 3: September 1-2 Natterjack, Hampshire
Round 4: October 13-14 SEEC, Surrey
2012 ACU BRITISH ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND THREE PROVISIONAL RESULTS
DAY ONE
Overall
1 Daryl Bolter KTM 350EXC
2 Tom Sagar HM Moto CRE-F450R
3 Jordan Rose TM 250EN
E1/2 Championship
1 Andrew Edwards KTM125EXC
2 Alun Jones
E1/4 Championship
1 Jack Rowland Husqvarna TE250
2 Paul Edmondson HM Moto CRE-F250R
3 Matt Bayliss Honda CRF250
E2 Championship
1 Daryl Bolter KTM 350EXC
2 Tom Sagar HM Moto CRE-F450R
3 Jordan Rose TM EN250
E3 Championship
1 Simon Wakely Husaberg TE300
2 Frazer Norrie KTM 300EXC
DAY TWO
Overall
1 Tom Sagar HM Moto CRE-F450R
2 Jack Rowland Husqvarna TE250R
3 Paul Edmondson HM Moto CRE-F250R
E1/2 Championship
1 Andrew Edwards KTM125EXC
2 Alun Jones
E1/4 Championship
1 Jack Rowland Husqvarna TE250
2 Paul Edmondson HM Moto CRE-F250R
3 Matt Bayliss Honda CRF250
E2 Championship
1 Tom Sagar HM Moto CRE-F450R
2 Jamie Lewis Husqvarna TE310R
3 Lee Edmondson HM Moto CRE-F300R
E3 Championship
1 Simon Wakely Husaberg TE300
2 Frazer Norrie KTM 300EXC