Impressive line up of international enduro talent set to do battle at this weekend’s round three of the British Sprint Enduro Championship.
After the highly successful season opener at Chavenage Farm, Gloucester, the 2013 Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship moves onto Saints Well, Powys, in Mid Wales, this weekend. One of the BSEC’s annual stops, the picturesque Welsh venue welcomes the first one-day event of the 2013 series.
Elite class competition will be fiercer than ever. Going head-to-head Matti Seistola – Enduro 1 class winner at the recent EWC GP of Spain – Jamie McCanney – current Enduro Youth World Championship points leader – and Tom Sagar – European Enduro Championship Enduro 2 class leader – will all be hoping for a winning result.
As the current Elite class championship leader, KTM’s Darryl Bolter is the rider to beat – himself looking for continued success. Claiming victory at round one before placing third at round two, Bolter has shown he has the speed to fight for victory. However, up against a whole host of talented riders that have recently triumphed on the international scene the KTM rider faces a tough time at Saints Well.
Husaberg’s Jamie McCanney left Chavenage Farm as the overall victor and has since clocked up an impressive four race wins in the Enduro Youth Cup World Championship. Opting to contest the BSEC on a 250 two-stroke, McCanney is a rider to watch for top honours.
Winner at round two, Husqvarna’s Matti Seistola is another rider that figures highly in the EWC. Claiming multiple podiums including a race win at the recent GP of Spain, the Finn is second overall in the Enduro 1 World Championship and will be gunning for glory in Wales.
KTM’s Tom Sagar also heads into the weekend’s BSEC event following international success. Double victor at the European Enduro Championship opener in Italy, plus outright leader of the British Enduro Championship, Sagar has his sights set on overhauling Bolter as the top KTM rider in the series.
Making his Elite class debut in Wales, Gas Gas’ Danny McCanney certainly has what it takes to fight for the win. Missing rounds one and two due to overseas commitments, the multiple Under 23 class champion will be keen to prove himself as top dog.
Defending BSEC champion Jordan Rose (TM) had a difficult start to his season at Chavenage Farm. Fourth at round one but failing to finish round two, Rose is hungry to get back into the title hunt. Adding in Husaberg’s Tom Church, who missed rounds one and two due to injury, the on-form Honda riders Jamie Lewis and Lee Edmondson, plus Kevin Murray (KTM), Mark Roberts (TM) and Matt Ridgway (KTM) ensures the Elite class is more hotly contested than ever.
In the Under 23 class, Husqvarna’s Jack Rowland enters round three on top form. With wins at rounds one and two of the BSEC, plus two highly impressive fourth placed results at the EEC opener in Italy, Rowland will be looking to place on the top step of the U23 podium in Wales. Behind Rowland, TM’s James Dent, Scotland’s Frazer Norrie (KTM) Neil Chatham (KTM) and Frazer Flockhart (KTM), and 2012 Under 19 BSEC champion Steve Holcombe (KTM), are all expected to figure highly.
TM’s Josh Gotts claimed the overall Under 19 class win at rounds one and two. However, he faces a determined Joe Wootton (Kawasaki) and Rob Johnson (Husqvarna), who claimed a round win each at Chavenage Farm. Add in Andrew Bull (KTM), Jon Hunt (Sherco), Scott Altass (KTM) and Luke Flack (KTM) and the Under 19 action is set to be as exciting as ever.
Securing a double win at rounds one and two, KTM’s Brad Freeman was the top-performing rider in the 125 Youth Cup. Setting times that would have saw him challenge for a top 15 result in the overall classification, Freeman will again be a rider to watch out for this weekend.
Husaberg’s Lee Sealey enjoyed a pair of runner-up results at rounds one and two but will be trying hard to bridge the gap to Freeman at round three. Rob Armitage (Husqvarna), Jordan Ridgway (KTM), Ashley Scott (Yamaha) and Drew Slevin (Yamaha) are also keen to claim some silverware at Saints Well.
In the hotly contested Expert class, Kawasaki’s Brad King was the overall winner at Chavenage Farm with defending Expert champion Richard Ely (KTM) a close second and newcomer Scott Austin (Sherco) third. With their on-track rivalry set to continue they’ll also face stiff challenges from Dan Beaven (KTM), Jack Lee (KTM), Carl Brogden (TM) and Jamie Paget (Husaberg).
Katie Walker (KTM) heads to Wales as the current championship leader of the Women’s class. But with Jane Daniels (Husaberg) – the current leader of the Women’s Enduro World Championship – entered, she has a fight on her hands if she’s to win again.
Claiming a double victory at the season opener, Beta’s Lee Green is the rider to beat in the Clubman class. But Richard Holmes (KTM), Mark Denslow (KTM) and Chris Bennetto (KTM) won’t be too far behind Green this time around.
Racing at round three of the Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship in Saints Well gets underway on Sunday May 26 at 9am sharp.
Spectator Info
Entry Fee: Adults £10.00 each. Under 14 year olds free.
Directions: The start area will be sign posted off the A483 – approx one mile north of Llanbister. Saints Well, Llanbister, Powys. Postcode: LD1 6PT
Parking
Vehicles will be parked on a generous, flat parking area joining onto the rider’s paddock and start/finish area.
General info
Racing starts at 10.00am both days. A sighting lap (starts 9.00am) and four timed laps will take place during the morning session before a 30-minute break and paddock autograph signing session. A three-lap afternoon session will then take place. On Sunday the event will end with a prize giving ceremony.
