KTM factory rider Juha Salminen of Sweden concluded a perfect weekend on Sunday with a victory in the E1 class in Ostersund, Sweden, his second top podium place in two days of competition for the launch of the world championship season. Salminen is rejoining the world championship competition after competing in the USA and his weekend double leaves none of his opponents in doubt about his intentions to go for the E1 title in 2007. He had not raced on snow for six or seven years, he said and admitted he was glad to be back in the world championship action competition and that it had been a fun weekend on his KTM 250 EXC-F machine.
“Salminen made no mistakes today and looked really good,” team boss Fabio Farioli said. “It has been a great weekend for us.” For the second day running Salminen’s KTM factory rider team-mate Alessandro Belometti of Italy finished the competition in fifth place.
On Sunday the riders were confronted with continual snowfall after Saturday’s light dusting of snow. With betw een 20-30cm of fresh snow on the course, conditions were favourable for the Scandinavian riders but rather unusual for other European competitors.
Results Sunday Day Two E1:1. Juha Salminen, Finland, KTM, 1’11:15.76
2. Fredrik Georgsson, Sweden, KTM, 1’14:36.84
3. Tomi Peltona, Finland, Suzuki, 1’14:39.85
4. Bartosz Oblucki, Poland, Husqvarna, 1’15:23.66
5. Allesandro Belometti, Italy, KTM 1’15:33.01
Results Saturday Day One E1:1. Juha Salminen, Finland, KTM, 1’43:04.57
2. Niklas Gustafsson, Sweden, KTM, 1’46:29.40
3. Bartosz Oblucki, Poland, Husqvarna, 1’47:27.37
4. Tomi Peltona, Finland, Suzuki, 1’47:35.09
5. Allesandro Belometti, Italy, KTM 1’48:40.21
E3 Enduro World Championships Round One Ostersund Sweden: Day 2 KTM Enduro factory rider Finland’s Marko Tarkkala stormed home on his 525 EXC Racing machine for his second E3 victory in two days to celebrate the opening of the world championship season with flair in Sweden’s Ostersund. Tarkkala signalled the dominance of the KTM factory riders on the big machines with his Spanish team-mate Ivan Cervantes again finishing third for his second podium in the first weekend of world championship competition. It was a near perfect weekend for the Finnish rider who has his sights set on the title. He had said after Saturday’s victory that it was the best start to the season that he could imagine.
“It was a very good position for Tarkkala,” team boss Fabio Farioli said after Sunday’s race. “His style was very impressive.” He added that it had been much more difficult for Tarkkala’s team-mate Ivan Cervantes because the Spaniard was not used to riding in the snowy conditions. Cervantes therefore also had a good weekend with his second podium for the weekend.
Riders had to battle with around 20-30 cm of fresh snow in the Central Swedish race location after lighter conditions on Sunday.
Results E3 Day Two: 1. Marko Tarkkala, Finland, KTM, 1’11:15.76
2. Bjorne Carlsson, Sweden, Husaberg, 1’12:11.97
3. Ivan Cervantes, Spain, KTM 1’12:31.69
4. Alessandro Botturi, Italy, Honda, 1’13:22.92
5. Anders Eriksson, Sweden, Husqvana, 1’14:19.78
Results E3 Day One:1. Marko Tarkkala, Finland, KTM, 1’43:04.57
2. Bjorne Carlsson, Sweden, Husaber g, 1’44:45.16
3. Ivan Cervantes, Spain, KTM 1’45:43.45
4. Anders Eriksson, Sweden, Husqvana, 1’46:54.60
5. Alessandro Botturi, Italy, Honda, 1’47:53.52
Photographer Edmunds J.
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