MANUFACTURERS DISCUSS WORLD ENDURO CROSSROADS
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Feature
the U.S., holds a relatively small market
share in Europe, and fields a modest,
but potent off-road contingent only in the
EnduroGP World Championship. With
much of its resources devoted to the
Rally program, Yamaha's enduro efforts
remain limited, without any top contend-
ers in the new Super Series.
"The World Enduro Super Series is
a new off-road series with big media
returns thanks to a major TV partner
that is more focused on the show and
mass events than pure enduro," stated
Yamaha's Alexandre Kowalski. "It can be
an interesting way as it is mixing differ-
ent kinds of enduro on different tracks. It
also has the merit of having one winning
rider who will have to be versatile be-
cause of the various tracks: extreme
enduro, sand race, classic enduro,
etc." Kowalski stopped short of en-
dorsing the new championship, only
mentioning that Yamaha is "not closed
to WESS."
GasGas' Jordi Arilla was likewise
diplomatic in his response, emphasiz-
ing the importance of the existing FIM
EWC while expressing genuine inter-
est in the new WESS championship.
The Spanish manufacturer is taking
a pragmatic approach to the world
enduro crossroads, calling it a good
PHOTO
BY
GASGAS
PHOTO
BY
FIM-PICTURES.COM
(Left) Beta's
Steve Holcolmbe
successfully defended
his EnduroGP title.
(Left) Spanish firm GasGas is currently
invested in the Enduro World Championship,
but remains open to the idea of change.
(Below) Yamaha still regards the
EnduroGP series as the premier World
Championship, but the lack of amateur
rider participation is a concern.
