Red Bull KTM’s Antoine Meo got his World Enduro Championship season started on a winning note, taking a solid victory in Chile in the E2 class. Photography by Future7Media
The 2015 FIM Enduro World Championship kicked of this weekend with the opening round taking place in Talca, Chile. After two stages, factory KTM rider Antoine Meo leads the way in the E2 division while fellow KTM rider Christophe Nambotin leads the field in the E1 class. Matti Siestola of Finland topped the E3 field aboard his Sherco.
The arid conditions of central Chile proved to be a bit challenging to the World Enduro Competitors, who aren’t accustomed to such dry and dusty terrain. But the tables were effectively turned on Sunday after heavy rains saturated the area overnight. The deluge prompted event organizers to make adjustments to the course, which included canceling the Extreme test for the first two laps.
Nambotin had an uphill battle all weekend, starting with a 10-second deficit on Saturday due to a mechanical issue. He then dealt with a crash on Sunday which left him to finish second on the day. Despite the blunder, the Frenchman still managed to leave Chile with the E1 points lead.
Meo had a rough time as well, also crashing on Saturday. It looked as though he was going to have to settle for a podium position rather than a win, but he then capitalized on a crash by Pela Renet to take the win. Meo was once again strong on Sunday, leading the way to another victory despite the change in conditions.
“Winning on day one was a great way to begin the season,” Meo said. “The conditions were incredibly dry, but I felt stronger with each lap. [On Sunday] I was surprised to be as fast as I was on the first test. Normally Renet is faster than me when it’s wet and slippery, but I got a big advantage immediately and felt better on each test after that.
“I felt great all weekend. Looks like we are in a good way and I’m looking forward to the season.”
In the E3 class, it was Matti Siestola’s weekend. His steady 2-1 performance earned him his debut win in the division, as well as the early lead in the championship. Unfortunately for KTM’s Ivan Cervantes, he twisted his knee early in Stage 1, and finished a distant 12th place.
World Enduro Results – Talca, Chile
E1 Results
1. Eero Remes, FIN, TM, (4 – 1)
2. Christophe Nambotin, FRA, KTM, (1 – 2)
3. Daniel McCanney, GBR, Husqvarna, (3 – 3)
4. Marc Bourgeois, FRA, Yamaha, (2 – 4)
5. Cristobal Guerrero, ESP, Yamaha, (5 – 5)
E1 Standings after Round 1 Stage 2
1. Nambotin, 37
2. Remes, 33
3. Bourgeois, 30
4. D. McCanney, 30
5. Guerrero, 22
E2 Results
1. Antoine Meo, FRA, KTM, (1 – 1)
2. Pela Renet, FRA, Husqvarna, (2 – 2)
3. Alex Salvini, ITA, Honda, (3 – 3)
4. Johnny Aubert, FRA, Beta, (4 – 4)
5. Jaume Betriu, ESP, Husqvarna, (8 – 5)
E2 Standings after Round 1 Stage 2
1. Meo, 40
2. Renet, 34
3. Salvini, 30
4. Aubert, 26
5. V. Guerrero, 20
E3 Results
1. Matti Seistola, FIN, Sherco, (2 – 1)
2. Aigar Leok, EST, TM, (5 – 2)
3. Jonathan Barragan, ESP, Gas Gas, (NC – 3)
4. Mathias Bellino, FRA, Husqvarna, (1 – 4)
5. Jeremy Tarroux, FRA, Sherco, (7 – 4)
E3 Standings after Round 1 Stage 2
1. Seistola, 37
2. Bellino, 33
3. Leok, 28
4. Phillips, 23
5. Oldrati, 2
