Red Bull KTM's Alfredo Gomez & Jonny Walker both on the podium at Riesa SuperEnduro.
Round two of the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship in Riesa, Germany ended with podium result for Red Bull KTM’s factory riders Alfredo Gomez and Jonny Walker.
Both enjoying the tighter, more technical track, Spaniard Gomez placed as overall runner-up with team-mate Jonny Walker improving on his round one performance to secure third. The duo now sit second and third respectively in the SuperEnduro championship standings.
Alfredo Gomez led KTM’s charge and landed a well-deserved runner-up result with his KTM 300 EXC on the night as well as lifting him to second in the series standings at the mid-way point of the series.
“I’m very happy with the way everything went tonight. I felt good from the first free practice and managed to continue that into the finals,” explained Gomez. “I changed a few of the lines I was using during the finals and I really think that helped me. It allows me to stay ahead of Jonny (Walker) because he was really pushing me hard. Everything went well during the three finals.”
As well as improving on his round one result, having had time to prepare properly for round two – Alfredo arrived straight from The Roof of Africa at round one in Poland – Gomez was much closer to now championship leader Colton Haaker. “I feel like I was a lot closer to Colton than I was at round one in Poland,” Gomez added. “I’m going to keep working hard on improving my speed. I’ve been consistent so if I can work on my speed a little over the coming weeks then I think I can do better.”
For Jonny Walker round two brought improved speed, a podium result and close battles with Gomez. Third and just two points behind his team-mate in the championship standings following his 3/2/3 results Walker showed good speed on the KTM 250 EXC-F throughout the night. “I had a good night and really enjoyed the track,” commented Walker, who was denied the chance to fight for the 2016 SuperEnduro due to a broken leg.
“My speed was good. I raced well. My starts just weren’t what I needed. It’s tough on all SuperEnduro tracks, but especially this one here in Germany. There’s one good line and it’s so, so difficult getting around riders. I learned at the first round that there’s a very fine line between pushing hard and pushing a little too hard and making mistakes. It was difficult – I knew I was a little faster than Gomez, but getting ahead of him was hard. Of course I was hoping for the win but I really enjoyed the racing and the track. I feel like I rode and raced better than I did in Poland. The more technical track suited me, it was a cool night of racing.”
Reigning SuperEnduro Junior World Champion Manuel Lettenbichler was unable to compete in Riesa due to injury.
The 2016/17 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship resumes on March 4th in Bilbao, Spain.
Results SuperEnduro Riesa 2017
1. Colton Haaker (USA), Husqvarna, 63 points (1-1-1)
2. Alfredo Gomez (ESP), KTM, 50 (2-3-2)
3. Jonny Walker (GBR), KTM, 49 (3-2-3)
4. Mario Roman (ESP), Sherco, 37 (4-5-4)
5. Pascal Rauchenecker (AUT), Husqvarna, 36 (5-4-5)
Standings SuperEnduro 2017 after 2 of 4 rounds
1. Haaker, 117 points
2. Gomez, 95
3. Walker, 93
4. Roman, 59
5. Taddy Blazusiak (POL), KTM, 58