Grand Prix AMV of France
Day 2
Matt Phillips Crowned Enduro 3 World Champion
The final day of racing at the GP AMV of France brought to close a thrilling season of the 2014 Maxxis FIM Enduro World
Championship with the crowing of Enduro 3 World Champion Matt PHILLIPS. Laia SANZ secured her third Women’s title while
Davide SORECA became the new 125 Youth Cup champion in Brioude, France.
Creating his own piece of history on day two in Brioude, KTM mounted Phillips’ E3 title resulted in him becoming the first rider to
win a junior and senior championship back to back. Helped in part by his 14-point advantage over closest rival Ivan CERVANTES,
PHILLIPS’ third place was more than enough to secure the championship. “I’m lost for words – it’s an incredible feeling to be world
champion,” told PHILLIPS. “To win a championship for my first time in the senior ranks is more than I ever expected. All season
Ivan and myself have fought hard, it’s been a great battle and I’m delighted to have won.”
In the Enduro 1 ranks, Christophe NAMBOTIN (F-KTM) picked up from where he left off on day one by winning. “I had no
problems today,” said NAMBOTIN. “I felt strong all day and just enjoyed it all. It’s great to end the series with another victory.”
Making it two podium results on the bounce in France, Sherco’s Jeremy TARROUX (F) placed as runner-up to NAMBOTIN. Having
missed out on a top three result on day one, Yamaha’s Marc BOURGEOIS (F) finished third. Eero REMES (FIN-TM) and Jaume
BETRIU (S-Husqvarna) completed the top five.
The two KTM World Champions Matthew PHILLIPS and Christophe NAMBOTIN
There was no change at the head of the Enduro 2 class with Husqvarna’s Pela RENET (F) claiming his eighth win of the year.
“Today has been a fantastic end to a perfect season,” remarked RENET. “It’s amazing to win both days in France.” Unable to make
any inroads to RENET, Italy’s Alex SALVINI (Honda) had to be content with second position. Delivering a determined ride following
his retirement on day one, France’s Johnny AUBERT (Beta) made it onto the podium in third. Newcomer to the EWC in France,
Yamaha mounted Gregory ARANDA (F) delivered an impressive ride to place fourth. Although not repeating his podium result from
day one, France’s Romain DUMONTIER (Yamaha) carded yet another solid top five result with fifth.
With the E3 title still up for grabs, CERVANTES fought hard to
turn his championship winning fortunes around. Needing to win,
he did exactly that but with PHILLIPS chasing him home for third
it just wasn’t enough for the Spaniard to bag his fifth world crown.
“I gave it my best shot but it just wasn’t to be,” said
CERVANTES. “It’s been a hard year with many highs and lows.
I’m just happy to have ended it with a victory.” Returning to the
podium for the first time since the GP of Sweden, Sherco’s Matti
SEISTOLA (FIN) finished second. Knowing a top ten result would
easily secure him the world championship PHILLIPS placed his
KTM in third position to take the title. Aigar LEOK (EST-TM) a nd
Fabien PLANET (F-Sherco) rounded out the top five.
Davide SORECA
Proving again to be the fastest junior rider at the GP of France, Husqvarna’s Loic LARRIEU (F) recorded his second Enduro Junior
victory of the weekend. With the title secured on day one, Great Britain’s Daniel MCCANNEY (Beta) followed Larrieu home for
second with Giacomo REDONDI (I-Beta) claiming the third step of the podium. Carding another top five result Oliver NELSON
(SWE-KTM) was fourth while Eloi SALSENCH (S-KTM) was fifth.
Carding his first victory of the series, Italy’s Matteo BRESOLIN (I-KTM) ended 2014 on a high with the 125 Youth Cup win. Behind
him the battle for championship honours was between Davide SORECA (I-Yamaha) and Sweden’s Albin ELOWSON
(Husqvarna). Despite placing as the runner-up, ELOWSON missed out on the title by four points to SORECA. “I’m so, so happy,”
told an emotional SORECA. “To be a world champion is an amazing feeling.”
Recording her third enduro crown, Laia SANZ (S-Honda) took another victory in the Women’s class to win the title. “This year has
not been so easy but I’m really happy to have taken my third championship,” said SANZ. With SANZ winning, Jane DANIELS (GB-
Husqvarna) placed second and Jessica GARDINER (AUS-Sherco) took third.
Third title in a row for Laïa SANZ
Grand Prix AMV of France
Day 1
McCanney Crowned Junior World Champion
Pela RENET stamps his authority on day one at the Maxxis FIM Enduro World Championship GP AMV of France with victory.
Great Britain’s Daniel MCCANNEY is declared the Enduro Junior World Champion.
Delivering a home win in the Enduro 1 class, KTM’s Christophe NAMBOTIN (F) gave the French crowd every reason to cheer.
Intent on capping off his year in style, the newly crowned champion secured a comfortable victory despite a small crash on the final
cross test. “It’s been a brilliant day,” remarked NAMBOTIN. “The crowds were fantastic – it’s incredible to see so much support on
the tests. It’s amazing.” With NAMBOTIN winning, the remainder of the podium was a French lockout. Sherco’s Jeremy TARROUX
held off his teammate Antony BOISSIERE by just eight seconds to claim the runner-up result. Fighting for second position, but also
battling to stay inside the top three, BOISSIERE narrowly beat fellow Frenchman Marc BOURGEOIS (Yamaha) by one second to
steal third. Pushing hard but just missing out on a potential podium result, Finland’s Eero REMES (TM) placed fifth.
Nice podium of Romain DUMONTIER
Despite having already locked up the Enduro 2 title at the GP of Italy, Husqvarna’s Pela RENET showed no signs of slowing down.
In blisteringly quick form on the enduro test, RENET pulled away from his rivals to win day one. “’I’ve really enjoyed it today,” said
RENET. “I felt good in my riding and it was so much fun racing in front of the spectators. In every corner on every test and even in
the forests there were people cheering you on. I loved it.” Fastest in Friday’s Super Test, Italy’s Alex SALVINI (Honda) soon had to
play second best to RENET on day one and ended his day as runner-up. Carding a career best result in the EWC with third,
Frenchman Romain DUMONTIER (Yamaha) easi ly became one of the standout performers of the day. Missing out on his chance
to reach the podium, Spain’s Oriol MENA (Beta) finished just three seconds behind DUMONTIER in fourth. Spain’s Lorenzo
SANTOLINO (Sherco) completed the top five.
Returning to competitive action following his foot injury at the GP
of Italy, Australia’s Matt PHILLIPS (KTM) was determined to
remain fixed at the head of the Enduro 3 point’s standings.
Fighting hard for the victory all day, PHILLIPS emerged from the
final test as the victor. “I knew I needed to win today but I wasn’t
sure how my foot would be,” admitted PHILLIPS. “It hurts when I
ride but I can deal with it. Winning today has taken the pressure
off a bit for tomorrow. Hopefully then I can become world
champion.” Second in the point’s race, Spain’s Ivan
CERVANTES gave everything he had to better his teammate.
But with PHILLIPS refusing to yield, CERVANTES was forced to
settle for se cond. In what is his final EWC race, France’s Fabien
PLANET (Sherco) made it one to remember by placing third.
Falling just one second short of third, Estonia’s Aigar LEOK (TM)
chased PLANET home for fourth while Finland’s Matti
SEISTOLA (Sherco) took fifth.
Women Podium
The was plenty of reasons to celebrate in the Beta camp with Baono Beta’s Danny MCCANNEY clinching the Junior title today in
Brioude. Needing to place in front of his closest challenger Giacomo REDONDI (I-Beta), the young Brit did exactly that to win the
championship. Added to his 2013 SuperEnduro Junior World championship, MCCANNEY is the only junior rider to have now won in
both disciplines. “It’s massive for me to win the title,” told a delighted MCCANNEY. “It’s been a couple of years in the making but I’m
made up to have finally done it. This year has been awesome. My Beta, the team, just everyone involved that’s helped me get to
where I am – I can’t thank them enough.” Ensuring a memorable end to an incre dible season of racing, the GP AMV of France,
attracted enduro fans in their droves as thousands flocked to the special tests to watch the world’s best in action. Recording his first
victory of the season, Loic LARRIEU (F-Husqvarna) led home the Enduro Junior category on day one in France. In the race for the
title, it was MCCANNEY’s second position that wrapped up championship with one day to spare. Unable to answer the pace of
MCCANNEY, Italy’s Giacomo REDONDI (Beta) was forced to settle for third. Italy’s Alessandro BATTIG (Honda) and Sweden’s
Oliver NELSON (KTM) completed the top five. Competing in his first EWC event of the year, Great Britain’s Brad FREEMAN
(KTM) was the biggest surprise of the 125 Youth Cup. Beating Chile’s Benjamin HERRERA (TM) by 13 seconds, FREEMAN
claimed an incredible victory. Sweden’s Jesper BORJERSSON (Husqvarna) made his way onto the podium with third. In
the battle for championship honours, Sweden’s Albin ELOWSON (Husqvarna) kept his hopes alive by beating main rival
Italy’s Davide SORECA (Yamaha) to take fourth.
Picking up her sixth victory of the series, Spain’s Laia SANZ (Honda) moved one step closer to taking her third world title
in the Women’s class. Unable to match Sanz’ pace, Britain’s Jane DANIELS (Husqvarna) ended her day as runner-up with
Australia’s Jessica GARDINER (Sherco) placing third.
Your 2014 Junior World Champion: Danny MCCANNEY