David Knight has claimed a third place result at the opening round of the 2013 SuperEnduro World Championship in Lodz, Poland where the former Enduro World Champion placed second, third and fifth respectively in the night’s three finals.
With the event marking David’s international debut aboard Honda machinery the Manx rider ended the night more than happy with his speed, showing that despite only occasional indoor enduro outings in recent years he’s still more than capable of challenging for race wins.
Claiming the fastest time during timed practice Knight then placed second in the qualifying heat, setting himself up well for the night’s three finals. With the track proving to be one lined in places good starts were essential and having gated well in the first race David claimed a strong runner-up result.
For much of the closing stages of the second final it looked as if David would match his result from the night’s first final, but within sight of the chequered flag he got a track banner caught in his front wheel and eventually placed third. In the third and closing final David got stuck behind two lapped riders in the rock garden section of the track, which dropped him to fifth. Nevertheless David heads into round two of the series in a strong third position…
David Knight: ‘I’ve had a good night really. It was great to get the fastest lap during qualifying but the best thing was that I really enjoyed myself and I felt like my speed was really good. The first race went well, and to start with a second place result was good. But the reverse order for the start of the second final made things difficult. I got pushed wide and lost some time early on, which made for a busy few laps. I should have finished second but I got a track banner caught in my wheel near the end of the race, which dropped me to third. The third final was going well. I wasn’t too far from the lead, just trying to stay as close as I could in case Taddy made a mistake. Then I got stuck behind two fallen riders and had nowhere to go in the rocks. That dropped me to fifth. It was a disappointing way to end the night but I can take away a lot of positives. I’ve still not been off a Superenduro podium, so that’s good. I just need a little more time on the bike in race situations and I’m sure I can be event stronger. I’m made up with the way things have gone really.’
FIM SuperEnduro World Championship – Round 1, Poland
Final #1
1. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 07:59.641; 2. David Knight (Honda) 08:05.435; 3. Jonny Walker (KTM) 08:08.574; 4. Alfredo Gomez (Husaberg) 08:09.408; 5. Kornel Nemeth (KTM) 08:27.036
Final #2
1. Jonny Walker (KTM) 08:02.556; 2. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 08:08.198; 3. David Knight (Honda) 08:16.821; 4. Kornel Nemeth (KTM) 08:18.431; 5. Thomas Oldrati (Husaberg) 08:20.014
Final #3
1. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 07:50.300; 2. Jonny Walker (KTM) 08:00.663; 3. Alfredo Gomez (Husaberg) 08:02.140; 4. Joakim Ljunggren (Husaberg) 08:05.418; 5. David Knight (Honda) 08:06.936
FIM SuperEnduro World Championship – Championship Standings
1. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 57points; 2. Jonny Walker (KTM) 51; 3. David Knight (Honda) 41…
