The FIM Europe Enduro Final was held in the Czech Republic on 6th & 7th of September. As well as being the climax of individual classes of the very successful 2014 European series, the final also includes the National Team competitions
The ACU British National Team consisted of Tom Sagar and Jamie Lewis with ACU Under 23 Squad members Jack Rowland and Steve Holcombe also drafted in to the Senior team.
The National Junior Team was also selected from U23 ACU Squad riders with Brad Freemen, Rob Johnson joined by Lee Sealey and Frazer Norrie. In total 14 ACU riders had made the trip with many of them in contention for individual European Enduro class Championships.
Day 1 saw the rider’s complete 3 laps of 60km with 3 tests on each lap. The day turned into one of the toughest in a long time, not helped with some intermittent heavy rain toward end of day. The Brits were up to the mark however and when results came in Britain led both the Senior and Junior National team competitions.
Steve Holcome was on a mission and not only won the Junior E1 class but also won Day 1 event overall. Tom Sagar won the Senior E2 class and Brad Freeman took the honours in Junior U20 class. Jack Rowland was an excellent 2
nd after moving up to Senior E1
With James Dent 5
th in JE1, Joe Wooton 4
th in JE2/3 the podium places had a distinctive British feel, and none more so than our Women rider Katie Walker who dug exceptionally deep on a difficult course with the same laps and times as men. Katie took a well-deserved 3
rd place in the Women’s class
The MCC of Wales, not sending a team to the ISDE in Argentina this year made the decision of sending 3 young riders to gain valuable experience for the future, and Joe Wooton, Adam James and Gavin Rosser did not disappoint and on Saturday night were in 2
nd place in the Club Team contest.
Day 2 was the same all over again. The weather was kinder and the track had dried out. At end of Day 2, it was almost a clean sweep with ACU riders taking most of top overall positions.
It was the Nations Team Trophy that had the Union Jacks flying and the National Anthem played almost continually. ACU British Teams won both the Senior and Junior Team Championships, and to round off a fantastic weekend MCC of Wales won the Club Team category.
Steve Holcombe won the event outright and also claimed the European Junior E1 Championship, Tom Sagar finished Overall third on the day and also clinched the Senior E2 Championship, Brad Freeman won his class and secured the Junior U20 European Championship as well as 4
th Overall at event. Lee Sealey was 2
nd in Czech in same class and took 3
rd place in Championship. Jamie Lewis was 5
th on Day 2 and that was enough to confirm runner up spot in SE 2 Championship. Jack Rowland secured 2
nd place in SE1 series.
After a hard Day 1, Katie Walker thrived in the drier conditions and won the Women’s class on Day 2 and also took runner spot in the 2014 Women’s European Championship.
There were many other excellent results for Brits in all classes, and all 14 riders finished on of the toughest events to date.
Report by John Collins