KTM Enduro Factory Team rider David Knight has signed off from the 2011 British Sprint Enduro Championship with yet another double Elite class victory, this time dominating proceedings at the fifth and sixth rounds of the series staged at the Rogers Hill Raceway facility in Dorset.
Knowing that the event would be his last for some time due to having to undergo hip surgery, Knight ensured it was a memorable final outing by winning all of the event’s special tests. Ending round five with a three-minute winning advantage, Knight never looked like doing anything but win as he hustled his factory KTM around the dry and dusty course. A whopping 16 seconds ahead at the end of the first test, Knight extending his lead test-on-test throughout the day to place ahead of Tom Sagar and Si Wakely.
A reversed course did little to slow Knight who finished 17 seconds ahead of his nearest rival at the end of the first test at round six. Going on to claim test win after test win David ended the day close to two minutes ahead of Sagar with Daryl Bolter a further nine seconds behind.
“Everything went really well,” says Knighter. “I don’t get to ride hard-pack conditions very often, not in the UK anyway, so it was completely different to what I’ve been riding recently. I had a new bike for this event – a little different to what I’ve been riding – and it worked perfectly right from the off. I felt really comfortable on the bike, not pushing too hard and was pulling good time on the other riders all weekend. I didn’t have any falls or problems all weekend.
“The test got faster and faster all weekend. As it turned out the test got really good, especially once a line cleared. It was the same on day two – once the line started to appear it was good and you could push hard. It’s great to see Manx riders doing well in all the classes. Eight 10-minutes test on day one and seven on day two has been tough but it’s been a great work out.
“I’m having the first of my hip operations next Saturday, which means an end to my season for a good few months. Obviously, I’d much rather be racing but I have to get it done. It’s going to be a bit frustrating but it’ll also give me a little time to recharge my batteries. I know my bike’s working really well now so when I’m back I know I have a bike I can win on and I’ll be in better shape too.”
