After a resounding final in Cahors (France) last March and the sixth consecutive crowning of champion Taddy BLAZUSIAK (PL - KTM), the Maxxis FIM SuperEnduro World Championship is back on track this Saturday, December 5th at the Atlas Arena in Lodz (Poland) for the first event of an exciting 2015-16 season.
Indeed, for this season opener, the FIM have entrusted the experienced Lodzki Klub Motorowy and Polski Zwiazek Motorowy (PZM) with the daunting task of organising the first round of the Maxxis FIM SuperEnduro World Championship. This Moto Club is now a historic one for the SuperEnduro as it hosts a round of the Championship for the fifth consecutive time.
After one season away from the faithful Atlas Arena in Lodz, Marek BRYGIDER (Chairman of LKM) decided to return to the first glories of SuperEnduro in Poland. Exit therefore the city of Gdansk and its Ergo Arena and hello again to Lodz and its red hot Atlas Arena. This room, with a capacity of 12,100 seats, was opened in 2009 and has already received a number of important events such as the World Volleyball League or the European Championships of Basketball and Volleyball-ball well as numerous concerts. In addition, this venue has also 11 VIP boxes with terrace! The Atlas Arena will host for the fourth time a SuperEnduro round and therefore becomes an important arena on the calendar.
Lodz, the third biggest city of Poland, is located in the region of the same name in central Poland. This dynamic city of about 750,000 inhabitants is located 130 kilometres southwest of Warsaw and 260 kilometres north of Krakow. Although once well known for its textile industries, Lodz is now a developing city that is still marked by the tragedies of history but also economic difficulties. Lodz directs its communication on its multicultural heritage and the organisation of major events in order to curb this phenomenon.
With an entry list never seen before in both categories, the action will be edge-of-the-seat excitement inside the Atlas Arena for the GP of Poland, which kicks off the Maxxis FIM SuperEnduro World Championship.
Taddy BLAZUSIAK (PL - KTM) - the six-time World Champion - will of course be the favourite but unlike previous years, he will not be in a strong position. Indeed, a virus put him out of action for a very large part of the year and the Pole may not be at 100% to face a high level of competition determined to bring down the official KTM rider.
Among them, the double AMA Endurocross Champion Cody WEBB (USA - KTM), who finished Vice-Champion last season, is determined to win the World Crown this time around.
Jonny WALKER (GB - KTM), following a near-perfect season in Hard Enduro (5 wins out of 6) arrives to Lodz full of confidence and is ready to finally move on to the next level in SuperEnduro.
Colton HAAKER (USA - Husqvarna) will also be present like Taylor ROBERT (USA - KTM) and of course the 2015 Junior World Champion Ty TREMAINE (USA - KTM). All three are determined to make some noise and come to fight for the top places. Beware also of Spaniards Alfredo GOMEZ (KTM), Dani GIBERT (Sherco) and Mario ROMAN (Husqvarna), Vice-Junior World Champion Andreas LINUSSON (S - KTM) and the "2015 Rookie of the Year" Paul BOLTON (GB - KTM).
Back after a year of absence, Kevin ROOKSTOOL (USA) returns to the SEWC riding a Sherco. Kornel NEMETH (H), riding his TM, is also capable of playing the spoiler! Finally, we must not forget the young wolves Eloi SALSENCH (E), Aurélien ADDESSO (F - Beta), Rannar UUSNA (EST - KTM), Martin Larsson (S - KTM) and the experienced Yannick BOSSI (F - Beta).
In the Junior category, spectators should revel in three breathtaking heats where young German Manuel LETTENBICHLER (KTM - 3rd last season) starts as the big favourite for title success in 2016. But "Manni" will still have to face fierce competition from Gethin HUMPHREYS (GB - Husqvarna), Cedric TEMPIER (F - Sherco) and Oskar KACZMARCZYK (PL - KTM).
Ready to get in the mix of things are the young talents of Joshua GOTTS (GB - TM), Blake GUTZEIT (ZAF - Husqvarna) and Tim APOLLE (D - Husqvarna). Newcomers Kirian MIRABET (ESP - KTM) and Luis OLIVEIRA (P - Yamaha) could well join in the fight for the title if they adapt quickly to the discipline.
Finally, Joffrey MARIN (F - Kawasaki), Matthew VANOEVELEN (B - Yamaha), Poles Grzegor KARGUL (KTM), Adrian ANDRZEJAK (KTM), Dawid NASTULA (KTM) and Emil JUSZCZAK (Sherco) and the Hungarian Norbert ZSIGOVITS (TM) and Gabor FISTOVARI (KTM) will fill a competitive line up of Junior riders.
After a 2014-15 season that saw Taddy BLAZUSIAK constantly challenged by Cody WEBB and Jonny WALKER, the Maxxis FIM SuperEnduro World Championship 2015-2016 promises even more action than ever before. The king BLAZUSIAK is clearly in danger with this new wave coming from the USA and the growth of European stars.
Informations:
- Lodz (Region of Lodz);
- 130 kilometres South-West from Warsaw;
- Saturday, December 5th from 5.00 p.m.;
- Organizer: Lodzki Klub Motorowy;
- Websites: www.enduro-abc.com and www.enduroarena.com;
- Sequence: 3 heats for the Prestige class, 3 heats for Junior class;
- Ticket Prices: From 23€ to 98€ (VIP Access);
- Airport: Warsaw: 130 kms and Wroclaw : 217 kms
Enduro ABC