Hoping to claim his first Enduro 3 class victory of the season Seb Guillaume fell just short of his goal yet still claimed a well deserved runner-up result behind Finn Marko Tarkkala on day one. Performing well throughout the day despite not feeling that he had properly got to grips with the conditions Seb finished 15 seconds adrift of the Finn. Second in class on the majority of the opening day’s tests Seb was slightly off the pace on two tests, which stopped him challenging for the win. On day two Seb performed well on all but one of the event’s special tests where he lost around one minute following a mistake on the extreme test. Although unable to fight for the class win he finished third to claim his fourth consecutive podium finish this year.
Competing alongside Seb in the Enduro 3 class former seven-time enduro world champion Anders Eriksson claimed his best result of the season finishing fourth on day one. Second on the opening special test Anders put in a solid opening lap and performed consistently throughout the day despite the challenging conditions. Feeling completely settled in his riding for the first time since his return to full-time competition at the start of the season Anders’ hopes of a good second day result ended when his bike suffered an ignition failure on the opening special test, forcing him to retire.
Anders Eriksson: “The first day went extremely well for me – I finished fourth and not too far away from the podium, I was pleased with the new engine and my riding was good. I was riding really well in the motocross test but I was losing some time in the enduro test due to not having enough feeling in the front tyre. All in all it was a good step forward after the Spanish and Portuguese races. I really enjoyed the race as well. It was tough and really challenging – a true enduro.
“Day two was a disaster. I had to pull out of the first special test because of a problem with my bike’s ignition. It seems that bad luck continues to follow me this season, which I could do without. It’s a shame because I felt good this race. Not just with my bike but also in my body, I was really looking forward to trying to get on the podium on day two.”
2007 World Enduro Championship Rnd 4
Grand Prix of Italy – Day 1
Enduro 3 class
1. Marko Tarkkala (KTM) 52:00.12; 2. Seb Guillaume (CH Racing Husqvarna) 52:26.32; 3. Ivan Cervantes (KTM) 52:33.56; 4. Anders Eriksson (CH Racing Husqvarna) 53:21.29; 5. Alessandro Botturi (Honda) 53:31.93; 6. Bjorne Carlsson (Husaberg) 53:35.50; 7. Vita Kuklik (KTM) 53:56.75; 8. Euan McConnell (TM) 54:16.27; 9. Jordon Curvalle (Sherco) 54:53.67; 10. Alessio Paoli (Beta) 56:31.38; 11. Daniel Johansson (Gas Gas) 57:10.28; 12. Rudy Cotton (Beta) 57:17.31; 13. Andrea Cantinotti (TM) 58:14.99; 14. Juan Pedrero (Honda) 58:25.73; 15. Erwin Plekkenpol (Honda) 59:38.75; 16. Gordon Clarke (TM) 1.01:00.41; 17. Pierangelo Leoni (KTM) 1.03:25.59
2007 World Enduro Championship Rnd 4
Grand Prix of Italy – Day 2
Enduro 3 class
1. Ivan Cervantes (KTM) 55:45.54; 2. Marko Tarkkala (KTM) 56:19.18; 3. Seb Guillaume (CH Racing Husqvarna) 56:57.65; 4. Alessandro Botturi (Honda) 58:13.34; 5. Vita Kuklik (KTM) 58:13.29; 6. Euan McConnell (TM) 58:21.96; 7. Bjorne Carlsson (Husaberg) 59:00.47; 8. Alessio Paoli (Beta) 1.00:45.74; 9. Juan Pedrero (Honda) 1.00:51.52; 10. Erwin Plekkenpol (Honda) 1.03:47.04; 11. Rudy Cotton (Beta) 1.04:00.81; 12. Jordon Curvalle (Sherco) 1.05:32.15; 13. Gordon Clarke (TM) 1.05:54.65; 14. Daniel Johansson (Gas Gas) 1.06:34.1315. Pierangelo Leoni (KTM) 1.14:27.32