 |
|
|
|
There are 7 unlogged users and 0 registered users online.
You are an anonymous user. You can register for free by clicking here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hell’s Gate extreme enduro:
Il Ciocco tourist complex, North Tuscan Apennines, Italy
KTM Racing team rider David Knight claimed a convincing win at the second running of the Hell’s Gate extreme enduro, the Fabio Fasola organized event in Il Ciocco, Italy on Saturday February 5. After topping the ’04 event, Knighter again showed exactly why he is world’s best extreme enduro rider by topping the event’s morning qualifying enduro before going on to lead the main Hell’s Gate race from start to finish and claim the 8’000 Euro first prize.
Topping the four-lap, preliminary event from which only 30 riders passed into the main Hell’s Gate event, David managed not only to finish the race as the sole rider to finish without time penalties but as the winner of the three timed special tests as well. Managing to negotiate his way around the rock and ice covered course better than any other, Knighter then took to the start of the Hell’s Gate race as clear favorite.
With the 30 qualifying riders lining up on a road race style start grid, Knighter needed just one corner to work his way past the fast starting Swede Anders Eriksson before disappearing into the distance. Knowing that the opening lap would be an important one, Knighter pushed as hard as the challenging course would allow him, opening up a healthy lead at the end of the first of the four laps.
Still continuing to march forwards during the second and third laps of the race, David eased his speed as he neared the mid-way point of the race not wanting to risk unnecessary damage to either himself or his bike. With a 15-minute lead at the end of the second lap Knighter knew that only a mechanical problem or a careless crash would stop him from winning. Starting to feel tired during the third lap of the race, come the fourth and final lap Knighter slowed his pace despite feeling much fresher than he had in the mid stages of the race.
As night fell David came closer than he hoped he would to putting himself out of the race. Crashing while riding down a rocky waterfall the KTM factory rider crashed, damaging his lights. Able to continue without too much trouble David reached the base of the event’s final hill close to half an hour ahead of his nearest rival. 10 minutes later David reached the top of Hell’s peak to claim his second Hell’s Gate win in as many years and collect the 8’000 Euro first prize.
David Knight: “The first half of the morning race was easy enough - there were a lot of leaves and weeds over the rocks which made it a bit tricky in places though. On the second half of the lap there was a lot of ice on the track, which you had to keep an eye out for. I went pretty quickly on the opening lap and hand a few minutes to spare at the end of it, but it was pretty tight on time.
“The second and third laps were better and I cleaned them ok because the leaves were clearing off the track and you could see the rocks better. I thought that it would be impossible to clean the last lap without receiving a time penalty, especially as you couldn’t really push too hard because of the ice. I got to the end of the lap with about 30 seconds to spare, which I was pleased with. I just rode steady on the special tests because I wasn’t too worried about what position I finished in, just as long as I got through into the main race. My bike was running really lean so I didn’t ride it as hard as I could because I didn’t want to risk any problems. The morning race was really enjoyable."
“Anders (Eriksson) nipped up the inside of me in the first corner but I had the line for the second turn and from there I just tried to ride hard without making any mistakes. The first part of the course was quite tricky so I couldn’t push too hard, from there on it was into the river bed and I was able to start opening up a lead. I knew that if the other riders couldn’t see me then I’d be able to start pulling away from them. I pushed hard on the first lap, didn’t make too many mistakes, and had a pretty good lead at the end of the lap."
“I decided to take it a bit steadier on the second lap, especially on the trickier parts of the course. I think I had a 15 minute lead at the end of the second lap. I started to feel a bit tired on the third lap and started to make a few mistakes. I slowed myself down so that I wouldn’t crash and at the start of the fourth lap I felt good again, like I could do another two or three laps."
"I really enjoyed the last lap. I knew that Wayne was about half an hour behind me so I didn’t need to push at all. I just had to keep concentrating. I rode really slowly and waited at the last check point to make sure that Wayne and Juan both got to the finish and weren’t eliminated from the race because there was a 40 minute cut-off time. "
“I tried being a smart ass and rode down the waterfall in the dark on the last lap, crashed and broke my light. Luckily it wasn’t too bad and I didn’t lose too much time but it could have been pretty nasty. Getting up the final hill wasn’t as hard as it was last year but I was glad to get to the finish. It’s been a really good event again and I’m really pleased to have won for a second year.”
Results – Hell’s Gate enduro
1. David Knight Farioli KTM
2. Wayne Braybrook Honda
3. Juan Knight Gas Gas
4. Anders Eriksson Husqvarna
5. Andrea Beconi Yamaha
|
|
|
| David Knight dominates the ’05 Hell’s Gate enduro | Log-in or register a new user account | 0 Comments |
|
| Comments are statements made by the person that posted them.
They do not necessarily represent the opinions of the site editor. |
|
