We revisit the final round of the 2012 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship and get first hand information from the men themselves that made it count…
Taddy Blazusiak (KTM): “Winning the 2012 SuperEnduro World Championship has capped off an incredible 15 months of racing for me. Tonight I knew that if I could win the first SuperEnduro final then that would secure the championship. I focused really hard on the start and knew that getting the holeshot would be crucial in winning the race. Thankfully, I did just that and I tried to race as hard as I could on a clear track to open up an advantage. I managed to open up a small lead and avoid any trouble to win the race and the championship. The team works so hard to ensure that I have the perfect setup to do my job and I’m delighted to reward them with this championship and also the 2011 AMA EnduroCross title. Now I’ll take a break for a few weeks and have some fun before getting ready for AMA Endurocross season that begins in May.
Jonny Walker (KTM): “I can’t honestly believe how fantastic this season has gone. Coming into this championship, I had no track record indoors but I knew I was capable of a good result though never expected it to be this good! In Italy I showed some speed but crashes held me back. Getting a decent qualification result in Poland gave me a lot of confidence and since then things just sort of ‘clicked’ together. I couldn’t have done this without KORR and Julian’s support, he’s had my back since day one and I can’t thank him enough for his endless help.”
Joakim Ljunggren (Husaberg): I came here focused on finishing second overall in the world championship but unfortunately it didn’t work out that way tonight. Entering Barcelona there were only two points separating Jonny and myself so I knew tonight would be a really close fight. After the qualification I felt confident. I started slowly in the first race but was able to work my way into third by the chequered flag – finishing three places ahead of Jonny. I struggled during the second race to ride my normal rhythm. Starting on the second row made things really difficult and with Jonny leading the race I couldn’t find my way past enough riders and had to settle for sixth. That really hurt my chances but I gave it everything I had in the final race. Unfortunately I crashed on the opening lap and again rode as hard as I could but came up short. Even though this isn’t the result I initially hoped for, I’ve really enjoyed myself and was only rider other than Taddy to finish on the podium at each round.
Alfredo Gomez (Husaberg): “I’m happy with my results tonight. I came here feeling much stronger and fitter than I did in Poland and was able to ride with more confidence. I had some incredible battles throughout the night especially during the second SuperEnduro final. When Walker made a mistake I almost lead the race. I really wanted to win that one in front of my home fans and gave it 100 per cent to win. The championship has been a mixed season for me. In Italy I made many mistakes that cost me a podium result and then in Poland I injured my arm very badly before the race and was lucky to be able to ride. Leading into Spain I trained hard to be ready and I think it showed tonight. I need to keep working on my race speed and try to improve.”
Spotlight: Joakim debriefs the media on his 2012 SuperEnduro season
Alex Salvini (Husqvarna): To finish second overall in Barcelona has been a perfect end to the season. This was my first time racing in the SuperEnduro World Championship and I’ve really enjoyed it. In Italy and Poland I was fast but inconsistent. I made a lot of mistakes that cost me some good results so in Barcelona I focused on riding much smoother and it paid off with my first podium result. Getting the fastest lap in timed practice helped to boost my confidence and after getting a clean start in the opening final, I finished second behind Blazusiak. I struggled a little in the second final but again started really strong in the final race of the night to finish second overall and secure my first SuperEnduro podium
Lorenzo Santolino (Husqvarna): “This was my first time racing in the SuperEnduro World Championship and I’m pleased with my riding tonight. Although my results may not have been as good as I had originally hoped I had come here to use the race as testing towards the Enduro World Championship. My main goal was to make the final and I did just that. I’ve really enjoyed this format of racing and hope to make a return to the championship next year.”
Xavier Galindo (Husaberg): “Tonight just didn’t go how I had hoped. I struggled all night with arm pump and wasn’t able to ride like I had done in the previous rounds of the championship. The track was much faster here than I had expected. Everybody was riding at a similar speed, which made it harder to overtake. Overall I have enjoyed this season with my best results coming in Poland and hope to return next year. Now that the championship is finished, I’ll begin to focus on the Hell’s Gate Extreme Enduro where hopefully I can get a good result.”
Dougie Lampkin (Gas Gas): “There are no excuses tonight, I simply was not fast enough. The track was much easier and open than last year and that certainly didn’t help me. With the way the rounds have been it has been hard for me to get back on the pace after the long break since Poland. My expectations have been realistic over the three rounds, but tonight was a disappointing end to the championship for me. My attentions will now switch to putting my preparations in place for Hell’s Gate in two weeks time. I have a good record at this event, and I hope I can continue it this year too and use a good result there to put tonight behind me.”