The death of Mika AHOLA – one of the Enduro World Championship’s most talented, courageous and much-loved champions – will cast a painful shadow over not only the Maxxis GP of Chile but also the entire 2012 EWC season. A rider that in part built his formidable reputation on the world’s most demanding special tests, the five-time consecutive EWC champion was a true legend of enduro sport. Mika’s mental toughness, determination, skill and fitness allowed him to collect an enviable amount of trophies and championships. Mika was a brilliant rider in all types of special tests. But nowhere were his skills more impressive than on enduro tests.
Enduro special tests are the purest form of special tests – and the hardest to master. Requiring courage, intelligence, speed, and often the need to improvise. To master enduro tests, no matter what the country, is the mark of a true enduro champion.
To watch Mika AHOLA riding fast between the trees in a frozen Swedish forest, or to see him bouncing over roots and ruts through muddy Polish or Slovakian undergrowth, was truly impressive. It was there, in the Enduro Test, that Mika built his biggest successes, often securing victory in the worst of conditions. Mika AHOLA had all of the qualities needed to excel on any enduro tests – he was courageous, intelligent, instinctive…brilliant.
With the full endorsement of his wife Marika and with the unfailing support of the FIM and EWC Promoter Alain BLANCHARD, the “Mika AHOLA “Brave One” Trophy” has been created. It will be decided over the eight rounds of the 2012 EWC season, in a similar way to the Xtreme Test Award. Only performances in the Enduro Test will count towards the award. A special standing will be created by EWC timing company Infomega, with ABC Communication managing the award. A personalized trophy offered by ABC Communication will then be presented to the winner of the Mika AHOLA “Brave One” Trophy during the EWC’s finale prize giving ceremony. This trophy will be unique and will be the property of the winner for one season. The Mika AHOLA Award will be a vibrant and permanent tribute to the great man and great champion Mika AHOLA.
“A trophy dedicated to Mika in Enduro Test is an excellent idea,” Mika’s wife Marika has commented. “Mika would love that…”
The Mika AHOLA “Brave One” Trophy will start at the Grand Prix Maxxis of Chile in Talca on March 24th/25th…