Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

ENDURO World Championship Enduro Series Final Round: Germany course, maybe we could've had serious trouble." As for Sala, the dethroned champ was for once making excuses. "1 had a lot of trouble this year," Sala said. ''In the second round 1 used a new suspension. It was no good. I lost some points from this." Of course the round Sala mentioned was in Spain where the Italian finished with a 3-2 result, while Edmonson claimed 1-1 and a lead in the championship. It was sad to see Sala making reasons for his loss, so often is he a happy man of enduro racing. The simple fact was the Italian, who has won titles in 500, 350 and 175cc classes, was just outgunned by Edmonson this year. With Sala failing to overcome the points deficit, Edinonson was the new champion, as he again trailed into Parc Ferme cruising in fourth place.. "There was no hurry," Edmonson said. "This is a great time for me. The bike is only in its second year and we have done this. To beat Sala, who has been so dominant, is a bonus. I'll be back next year in the 175cc class, you can count on that." While Edmonson's victory was sweet, the moment aJ,l Sweden had been (Above left) KTM's Giovanni Sala, who overalled the recently concluded Finnish ISDE, saw his long dominance In the world enduro championships come to an end In Germany. He finished second to Edmonson In the 17See class. (Above) Shane Watts of Australia came to Europe on his own dime and gave the veterans a run for their money. The privateer finished third In the 175cc class as a rookie. 16 waiting for had arrived: two world enduro champions for the first time since the retirement of Scandinavian legends Sven-Erik Jonsson and Kent Karlsson. In fact, since their departure, there was constant talk of problems facing Sweden's enduro newcomers. "We have been told we cannot ride," Jansson said. "We proved them wrong. Jonsson and Karlsson. We are now the champions." Jansson claimed 1-2 results in Burg, and with Tiainen again having problems on day one, it was a score of 181-165 that saw the Swede home. "1 feel like I'm flying," Jansson said. "I had no trouble all weekend. Of course 1 was very nervous on Saturday morn' ing, but today I felt great." Tiainen, on the other hand, suffered problems on Sunday. "The German KTM riders were blocking me," Tiainen said. "1 don't know why, but I'm not very happy about it." Tiainen was basically speaking of Dirk von Zitzerwitz. "1 did nothing wrong," Zitzerwitz said. "1 would not do that. 1 was riding at my own pace." Third place in the championship (Above) For the second year in a row, italian Mario Rinaldi was edged out by one point for the 400cc litle, both times by Sweden's Anders Eriksson of the factory Husqvama team. (Right) Finland's Karl TIainen was bothered by a painful sinus aliment all season. went to the German, who lost out to second place by just six points. Anders Eriksson, the 1995 World 400cc champion, gritted his teeth on the final day of the championships and, with a 2-2 result, nipped Mario Rinaldi by just one point, 209-208. If the points deficit was close, imagine how Eriksson felt on the start of day two. 01 At the first check, my exhaust pipe was broke," Eriksson said. "It did not sound very good and I wondered if I would make it. Then the bike did a few things that sounded funny. It was a tough day. I worked hard for this." Rinaldi was a sorry figure, having lost the title for the second year by just one point (he lost to Eriksson in '95 203-202). "I was very sorry, but I try to be happy," Rinaldi said. "I won both days this round and maybe next year 1 can get the extra point.'- Third place in the 400cc class went to Christian Boulet with 158 points. As previously mentioned, the 125cc class really lacked zip this year. With Edmonson's departure in '94, the 125cc class is a little unimpressive. Scovolo's win ahead of two other Italians, Roman Michalek ~nd veteran Giorgio Grasso, indicates the more serious 175cc class will continue to steal the 125cc heros. Silvan, the 1995 125cc champ, has been talking of heading to the 175cc class next year. eN German World Enduro Berg, Germany Rasults: August 31·Saptember 1 (Round 6 of 6) 125, 1. Pelten SOvan (Hus) 1·1; 2. Roman Michalik (TM) 4-2; 3. Fausto 5oovolo (Hon) 2-4; 4. Juha Salminen (Hus) 8-3; 5. Stefan Passe'; (KTM) 3-9. 175: Eric Bernard (KTM) 1-1; 2. Giovanni SalOl (KTM) 2-2; 3. Paul Edmonson (G-C) 3-4; 4. Shane Watts (KIM) 5-3; 5. Jani LaaJcsonen (Hon) 9·5. 400 (4-STRK), 1. Mario Rinaldi (KTM) }-}; 2. Anders Eriksson (Hus) 2-2; 3. Martin Und (Hbg) 3-4; 4. Laurent Bouffiowe (Hus) 5-3; S. Chris Boulet (Hus) 6-7. 500 (4-STRKj, 1. Peler Jansson (Hbg) 1-2; 2. Kari TIainen (Hus) 4--1; 3. Dirk von Zitzerwitz (KTM) 2-3; 4. Fabio Farioli (KTM) 3-4; S. Martin Kremel (Hbg) 6-5. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ENDURO FINAL SERIES POINT STANOINGS (After 6 016 rounds~ 125: 1. Fausto Scovolo (195/3 wins. Han); 2. Roman Michalek (182/3, TM); 3. Giorgio Grasso (162/3, Hon); 4. Xavier Puidgemonl (104, G-C); 5. Pette,; SOvan (97/3, Hus); 6. Cyril "Esquirol (94, Han); 7. (TIE) Rickard Larsson (&a)/Stefan Passe'; (82, KTM); 9. Mika Ahola (77, TM); 10. Marc Puidgemont (63, G-C). 175: 1. Paul Edmonson (200/5, G-G); 2. Giovanni Sala (191/4, KTM); 3. Shane Watts (158/1, KTM); 4. Eric 8ernard (155/2. KTM); 5. Rob Sartin (114, Yam); 6. Tullio Pellegrinelli (112. Hen); 7. Guiseppe Gallina (87, Han); 8. David Frctigne (85, Hus); 9. (TIE) Matteo Rubin (TM)/Jani Laaksonen (78, Han). 400 (4-STRK), 1. Anders Eriksson (209/5, Hus); 2. Mario Rinaldi (208/5, KTM); 3. Christian Boulet (156/1, Hus~ 4. Laurent Bouffiux (142, Hus); 5. Amoldo Nicoli (120, Hus); 6. Martin Lind (116, Hus); 7. Laurent Charbonnel (7611. Kaw); 8. Otocar Kotrba (7S. Hus); 9. Allons Hoever (74, Hus); 10. Miroslav Vytlacil (68, Hus~ 500 (4-STRK), 1. Petet Jansson (181/3, Hus); 2. Ka,; Tiainen (165/6, Hus); 3. Dirk von Zil%ewitz (159, KTM); 4. Bohumil Posledni (141, KTM); 5. Marlin Kremel (108, Hus~ 6. Joan Roma (97, KTM); 7. Fabio Fa,;oli (93/1, KTM); 8. Massimo Migliorati (83, Hus); 9. Marco Crigis (76. KTM~ 10. Wolfgang Koen (66. Hus).

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