KTM's own "Asphalt Surfer" Bernd Hiemer of Germany retained his perfect record for S1 podiums this season with a third overall in Olbia, Sardinia to retain the championship lead.
Hiemer settled for third place in each race in conditions that were hot and tiring for the riders to retain the coveted red number plate as standings leader going into what is the home GP for Austrian manufacturer KTM in the next round.
Both races were a battle between Hiemer, Thierry van den Bosch of France and Italian Ivan Lazzarini. Hiemer recovered well from fifth in race one to finish in third but got away better out of the gates in race two. He hung onto the two leaders until several laps from the end then settled for a safe third place and enough points to retain the championship lead.
"I like the track and although I am very tired after the races it was a very good day for me," Hiemer said after the race. "I am looking forward to the next round in Austria where I know the track and this should be an advantage for me," the German said. Hiemer has succeeded in being on the podium for every round of the 2008 series so far and will look to continue this form in Austria.
Riders tackled the new venue at the industrial port of Olbia where 30,000 square metres had been reserved for the course. They faced riding on asphalt and cobbled paving as well as the offroad section made of natural ground, which also featured a three wave section.
S1 Results:
1. Thierry van den Bosch, France, Aprilia
2. Ivan Lazzarini, Italy, Aprilia,
3. Bernd Hiemer, Germany, KTM
4. Matthew Winstanley, Britain, KTM UK
5. Boris Chambon, France, TM
Standings:
1. Bernd Hiemer, Germany, 175
2. Thierry van den Bosch, France, 169
3. Ivan Lazzarini, Italy, 133
4. Thomas Chareyre, France, 132
5. Matthew Winstanley, Britain, 126
Images Courtesy of Batini P.
