Colton Haaker keeps up the heat in Germany
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Colton Haaker welcomed in the New Year in style by finishing third overall at the second round of the 2015/16 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship in Germany. Narrowly missing out on a podium result at the series’ opening event in Poland, in Germany Haaker had the speed to win.
Like all of the fastest riders in the Prestige class, Haaker endured his fair share of misfortune. Falling three times in the opening final – having topped the Superpole – Colton then fell twice in the reversed start order second final before crashing at the start of the third and closing final.
Despite his numerous falls Colton’s speed served him well as he placed as runner-up in both the first and third finals, placing behind countryman Cody Webb and Britain’s Jonny Walker respectively.
Haaker only disappointing result came in the reversed start order second final. Battling hard in order to work his way forward, two crashes slowed his progress and he crossed the finish line seventh. With two second place result and one seventh place finish to his credit Colton ended an eventful night third overall, just three points behind overall event winner Cody Webb.
Competing alongside Haaker, Mario Roman enjoyed a much-improved night placing seventh overall. Delivering strong performances to place fifth and fourth in the opening two finals a fall in the night’s closing race saw the Spaniard finish 10th. Mario earned seventh overall.
Colton Haaker: “It was the little things that kept me away from the overall victory. I only lost by three points again. But I’m always happy when I’m riding that well. A podium finish isn’t bad. I was fast in both practices and won the Superpole. The key in the races was to avoid mistakes and keep it on two wheels. I think I should have won race one if I didn’t fall three times. Then the next race I fell twice and the last race I fell again at the first turn. Some sections of the track like the sand pit were tricky. Everybody has stepped up their game this year. I just have to minimise these bad races. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series and especially the South American rounds of the championship. They’re back to back and I’m better when I have races in a row.”
Mario Roman: “It was a good night and I’m happy. I wasn’t feeling that good at round one so I changed my training schedule and made some good progress. I tried to do my best here in Germany without thinking about the other riders. The first two races went really good for me. I managed to stay close to the top guys and got a fifth and a fourth place. Then in the last race I crashed once and lost some places. I’m really happy with the new team and my bike. I’ve put some time training with my race bike after Poland and I’m feeling a lot better now. I’ll keep on working hard and try to improve on my results in the following rounds.”
Results – FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, Round 2, Germany
Overall Classification
1. Cody Webb (KTM) 49pts; 2. Jonny Walker (KTM) 48pts; 3. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 46pts; 4. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 40pts; 5. Alfredo Gomez (KTM) 37pts… 7. Mario Roman (Husqvarna) 30pts
1st Final
1. Cody Webb (KTM) 9 laps, 06:53.759; 2 Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 06:57.665; 3. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 06:59.536; 4. Jonny Walker (KTM) 07:07.787; 5. Mario Roman (Husqvarna) 07:12.829
2nd Final
1. Alfredo Gomez (KTM) 9 laps, 06:53.779; 2. Cody Webb (KTM) 06:55.204; 3. Jonny Walker (KTM) 06:56.117; 4. Mario Roman (Husqvarna) 07:08.964; 5. Dani Gibert (Sherco) 07:10.100… 7. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 07:22.762
3rd Final
1. Jonny Walker (KTM) 9 laps, 06:54.449; 2. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 06:55.372; 3. Taylor Robert (KTM) 06:56.570; 4. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 07:01.979; 5. Cody Webb (KTM) 07:05.599… 10. Mario Roman (Husqvarna) 07:00.891
Championship Standings (After Round 2)
Prestige Class
1. Cody Webb (KTM) 102pts; 2. Jonny Walker (KTM) 100pts; 3. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 84pts; 4. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 79pts; 5. Alfredo Gomez (KTM) 70pts… 8. Mario Roman (Husqvarna) 49pts