The first round of the World Enduro series went off last weekend in Sweden … and the weather was about what you’d expect, more suited to snowmobile Snow-Cross than off-road motorcycles.
KTM took two of the four classes, with Honda and Husqvarna splitting the other two, but noteworthy was the presence of the new BMW in both 480 cc and 450 cc versions, competing in both big-bore classes. New signing, and seven-times World Enduro Champion Anders Eriksson, claimed two fourth place finishes in the Enduro 3 class, and but for a fall late on day two would have been third.
Enduro 3 is for 290-500 cc two-strokes or 475-650 cc four-strokes, and two KTMs and a Husaberg took the first three spots, with Fin Samuli Aro coming out on top both days and countryman Marko Tarkkala second. The home team managed third with Bjorne Carlsson on his Husaberg edging Eriksson’s BMW after his late-day fall.
In Enduro 2 (175-250 two-strokes and 290-450 cc four-strokes), the home team came out on top with Joakim Ljunggren taking his Husaberg to first and second for the overall event title, while in the small-bore Enduro 1 group (100-125 cc two-strokes and 175-250 cc four-strokes) Finn Mika Ahola, defending 2007 Enduro 2 champ, did another for the neighbours, taking his Honda to a win both days.
The next event is set for somewhat warmer climes, as the circus heads for Portugal on March 29-30.
