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Remaining under the guidance of highly-experienced team manager #fabiofarioli, all four KTM #enduro Factory #racing riders will be battling for championship honours at the nine-round long series, which starts on March 25/26 with the #endurogp of Finland.
EnduroGP
Leading KTM #enduro Factory Racing’s charge in the #endurogp class will be three-time #enduro World Champion Christophe Nambotin. Back to full fitness following a challenging 2016 season, the Frenchman will be looking to re-establish himself as a champion aboard the KTM 300 EXC machine.
“I have a lot of motivation going into this year’s world championship,” confirms Nambotin. “2016 was a very difficult season for me with injuries, so I want to show again that I can fight for a world championship title. Returning to a 300cc two-stroke after three years on four strokes is a change I’m looking forward to. I really enjoying being back on a 300, so I hope for good things this season. Physically I also feel good. My knee is strong again so I am ready for the new season. #racing together with Nathan in the #endurogp class will be good. We have been training together and although we are both chasing the same title I know we will work together during the season.”
Joining Nambotin in the #endurogp class will be 23-year-old Brit Nathan Watson. A stand-out performer during his debut #enduro World Championship campaign last year, in 2017 the KTM #enduro Factory #racing rider will be looking to challenge for the coveted #endurogp title aboard a KTM 350 EXC-F.
“I’m really looking forward to this year’s world championship,” explains Watson. “Obviously, 2016 went better than I ever expected, so I have a great base that I hope I can build and improve on. Moving up to a 350 EXC-F was a logical thing to do. I raced a 450 in MXGP two years ago, spent a season on a 250 four-stroke during my rookie year in #enduro, so I’m looking forward to riding the 350. I’m a big guy and I like to have more power, so the switch to it happened naturally. I actually feel more relaxed this year going into the world championship. Last year everything was new to me – the series, the team, the bike – but now I know what to expect. There are a lot of riders capable of winning in the #endurogp class and I’m really looking forward to start #racing with them.”
Enduro 2
An exciting addition to the KTM #enduro Factory #racing team for the new season is Daniel Sanders, with the Australian set to contest the #enduro 2 class of the 2017 FIM #enduro World Championship aboard a KTM 250 EXC. Relocating to Europe at the beginning of the year, the two-time ISDE #enduro 3 class champion is looking forward to his first full season of #endurogp competition.
“Getting to race in the #enduro World Championship for the first time is awesome,” admits Sanders. “I’ve only been in Europe for a few weeks but I’m getting on great with everyone in the team and I’m really looking forward to the challenge. #racing a 250 EXC will be something new for me as I’ve raced a 300 EXC for a fair few seasons now. Honestly, I don't know what to expect this year. I’m focused on challenging for wins and hopefully fighting for the #enduro 2 title. It looks like the championship’s going to be pretty varied, with some new style races. The season opening snow race in Finland looks pretty wild. From winning the #enduro 3 class at the ISDE I know that my speed is good. I’m sure I'll learn a lot this year, I’m ready to get stuck in and mix it with the guys in #enduro 2.”
Racing alongside Sanders in the 250cc class of the 2017 FIM #enduro World Championship will be 21-year-old Josep Garcia. Claiming third in the 2016 #enduro Junior World Championship and an impressive #enduro 1 class victory at the 2016 ISDE, the young Spaniard will enter his first full season of senior class competition on the KTM 250 EXC-F.
“Moving out of the junior class and into #enduro 2 is a big step for me, but I feel that I am ready for it,” tells Garcia. “Things went very well during the second half of last season so I am looking forward to the new competition. I’ve worked hard this winter to be ready for the world championship. It will be a long season, with many different and difficult races, but I have a fantastic bike so I have what I need to fight for the podium. I believe I can be among the top riders in the class, but I am sure I will learn a lot this year. I feel very comfortable with the other riders in the team, it is a great atmosphere and we are all ready to do our best for KTM and to help each other.”
With the 2017 #enduro Women World Championship kicking off in Spain on April 21/23, KTM #enduro Factory Racing’s Laia Sanz will be looking to successfully defend her title in the four-round long series. Remaining aboard KTM 350 EXC-F machinery the Spaniard is ready to battle for a sixth career #enduro Women World Championship title.
2017 FIM #enduro World Championship
1st/2nd Rd. #enduro 2017 – March 25/26, Lake Paijanne (FIN)
3rd/4th Rd. #enduro 2017 – April 21/23, Puerto Lumbreras (ESP) Enduro Women
5th/6th Rd. #enduro 2017 – May 26/28, Spoleto (ITA)
7th/8th Rd. #enduro 2017 – June 23/25, Paradfürdo (HUN) Enduro Women
9th/10th Rd. #enduro 2017 – July 1/2, Puchov (SVK) Enduro Women
11th/12th Rd. #enduro 2017 – July 21/23, Castelo Branco (POR)
13th/14th Rd. #enduro 2017 – September 23/24, Hawkstone Park (GBR)
15th/16th Rd. #enduro 2017 – September 23/24, Tucuman (ARG)
17th/18th Rd. #enduro 2017 – October 20/22, Zschoppau (GER) Enduro Women
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