Salminen & Meo win big at GP of Greece

Enduro 1 and Enduro 2 series leaders Juha Salminen and Antoine Meo again claim double class wins to extend their world championship advantages

Juha Salminen "killed it" in Greece both days in E1

By any rider’s reckoning the GP of Greece, round five of the ’11 Enduro World Championship, was tough. With 35-40 degree heat during both days of competition, more than one-hour of special test racing each day, and a minimum of 14 hours in the saddle, for all but the very best simply getting to the end of the event was an achievement in itself. But for the Husqvarna CH Racing Monster Energy Team the GP of Greece was largely a hugely successful event. Doing what they’ve done since the start of the championship Juha Salminen and Antoine Meo took charge of their respective classes, both claiming victory on each of the two days. Matti Seistola again placed as runner-up to team-mate Salminen in the Enduro 1 class on day two after a third place finish on day one while Simone Albergoni secured his first podium result of the season with a third place Enduro 2 class finish on day one. As the ’11 EWC season moves into its second half things are looking good for the Husqvarna CH Racing Monster Energy Team.

With double wins for the Flyin Frenchman, Meo owned E2

Despite feeling less than 100 per cent during the first half of the opening day’s competition in Kalampaka, seven-time World Champion Juha Salminen improved as the day progressed, eventually claiming a 20 winning advantage. Simply not able to perform at his best Salminen stuck at it and by mid-day was winning tests and had moved to the top of the E1 class. Remaining out front Juha placed ahead of Frenchman Rodrig Thain. Although fast on both the motocross and enduro special tests Matti Seistola was unable to challenge for a better result than third due to difficulties on the extreme test. Losing time on the rocky test on all three laps Matti had to settle for third, less than 30 seconds behind winner Salminen.

On day two the Enduro 1 class was all about Husqvarna team mates Salminen and Seistola. Trading special test wins with one another it was consistent riding from Salminen, and a costly mistake from Seistola, that ultimately decided the eventual finishing order in Salminen’s favour. With Matti crashing on the final enduro test victory was handed to Salminen who despite Seistola’s speed had remained in control at the front of the class throughout the day. Seistola claimed a deserved runner-up result, but finished only a fraction of a second up on third placed Eero Remes.

With Salminen comfortably leading the Enduro 1 World Championship on 239 points, Seistola moves into second on 198, tied with countryman Remes.

Juha Salminen – Enduro 1: ‘Matti was really, really fast during the second day but then he made some mistakes. Of course I was always aware that he was riding fast, but it seemed that whenever I needed to up my game and be fast I was. I felt like I was in control the whole day and able to stay one step ahead. I didn’t feel good at all on the first day, especially in the morning. I just couldn’t get the best out of myself. Things improved a lot in the afternoon and ended really well, which I was pleased with. It’s been another great weekend for myself and the team and it’s great to make a winning start to the second half of the series.’

Matti Seistola – Enduro 1: ‘I just wasn’t as fast as I needed to be on the extreme test on the first day. The enduro and motocross tests went really well, but I was letting myself down on the extreme test. I rode really well during the first half of the second day but then I made some mistakes, which dropped me behind Juha. There was very little between myself and Juha before the final enduro test but I made a big mistake on one of the down hills and crashed. That allowed Juha to open up a lead because I lost about 25 seconds. It was tough after that crash and thankfully I was able to get second. I felt like I had the speed to win but my stupid mistake cost me too much time.’

Although sightly overshadowed by his Finish counterpart, Seistola found his way to the podium both days

Securing his fifth and sixth Enduro 2 class wins of the ’11 EWC season Antoine Meo’s event in Greece started with a collision with a tree during the Friday night Super Test, something that left him feeling a little sore at the start of the first full day of competition. Needing all of the first half of the day to find his feet, Antoine went on to claim a 22-second winning advantage after winning all three special test on the final lap. Joining Meo on the podium was his E2 class team-mate Simone Albergoni. Riding well but also fortunate that a number of E2 class front runners encountered mechanical problems, Albergoni’s trip to the podium was his first in ’11.

Although riding well on day two it wasn’t until the final lap that Antoine Meo moved into the lead of the Enduro 2 class. Spaniard Cristobal Guerrero held the top spot from the start but mistakes towards the end of the day, coinciding with Meo’s push for victory, saw him drop behind the E2 championship leader. Topping the event’s final enduro test and extreme test Antoine opened up an eventual eight-second winning margin to further extend his lead at the top of the Enduro 2 World Championship standings.

With five rounds completed Antoine has 232 points at the top of the Enduro 2 class while his closest rival Guerrero has 183. Simone Albergoni currently sits fifth on 140.

E2 Podium - Day 1

Antoine Meo – Enduro 2: ‘Although it was good for my championship to win the first day and get the 25 points, winning when my rivals have problems doesn’t leave me with a good feeling. That’s why I was so pleased with my win on day two. On the third lap on day two I was 10 seconds behind Guerrero so I decided to really push hard on the final enduro test and see if I could close the gap on him. I rode a really good test and he made a mistake so I moved into the lead with two tests to go. Then on the next test, the extreme test, I pushed again and he made another mistake. That meant I had the advantage going into the final test where everything went well and I managed to get the win. It was really nice to fight for the win and get it, especially after so many riders had problems on the first day and weren’t able to finish. The race was tough, especially with the heat.’

Continuing to deliver ever-improving performances during his first season of EWC competition Alex Salvini ran a pace good enough for the runner-up position in the Enduro 3 class for much of the first day in Greece. Eventually finishing in a creditable fifth too many mistakes on the extreme test prevented Alex finishing on the podium. Husqvarna’s Seb Guillaume didn’t have the best of events as a crash during the first day, which left him severely de-tuned. Placing seventh Seb started day two but was forced to retire after just two special tests. Matching his day one result Salvini again placed fifth.

Guillaume and Salvini sit sixth and ninth respectively in the Enduro 3 championship standings.

Alex Salvini – Enduro 3: ‘It was a tough race for all riders because of the heat and long enduro test, but it was a good race for me. I won almost all of the motocross tests on the first day, which I was happy with, and also rode well on the enduro test. But it was the extreme test that I found difficult. I crashed on the extreme test on one lap and lost a lot of time, in fact that cost me the second position. I finished fifth and just 12 seconds behind the runner-up. But generally I’m very happy because week after week I am improving. I again finished fifth on day two with a few more mistakes, but like I said I’m happy. I won’t be at the next race in Romania because I’m going to Australia for the A4DE event, which I’m looking forward to.’