Tag: WESS

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FIM and WESS join forces to launch the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship in 2021

The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and WESS Promotion GmbH are pleased to announce that they agreed to join forces to further enhance the Hard Enduro Sport worldwide.

The “World Enduro Super Series” will be leveraged under the FIM umbrella and renamed into the “FIM Hard Enduro World Championship” with an inaugural season in 2021.
A new Pro-Class regulation, in line with all FIM international standards, will offer the highest level of transparency and fairness to professional riders, teams and manufacturers who will compete to win the official world-recognized title of FIM Hard Enduro World Champion.

At the same time the success-building nature of the WESS, the active integration of amateur riders, will stay an inherent and defining characteristic of the series. The common effort of amateurs and professionals competing within in the same race will further attract enthusiasts around the world to participate in FIM Hard Enduro World Championship events, thus ensuring a long-term growth of the championship.

Following the signature of the agreement, Tony Skillington, FIM CEO, expressed his satisfaction and declared: “Every once in a while an opportunity comes to do something very interesting and new in motorcycle sport. I am completely convinced that this championship will become a very important part of the FIM calendar in the future and I am more than pleased that we are finally signing a four-year contract for the promotion of a FIM Hard Enduro World Championship. I also appreciate the energy and dedication that both FIM and WESS have deployed together to work on all of the ways to make this championship a success.”

Winfried Kerschhaggl, WESS Promotion GmbH states: “This is a very exciting time for us and our sport. Following an incredibly busy time, building and shaping WESS, work is paying off. The past three years helped us to gain the recognition of the FIM. A special thanks from our side goes to Tony Skillington, who has been very supportive since the conversations about a joint project started. We’re ready to take the next step as the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship. Together with the FIM we move into 2021 with confidence and enthusiasm and look forward to ongoing exciting racing.”

FIM Hard Enduro World Championship 2021 – provisional calendar

Round 1: Extreme XL Lagares – Portugal, May 7/8/9
Round 2: Red Bull Erzbergrodeo – Austria, June 3/4/5/6
Round 3: TBC – Italy, July 10/11
Round 4: Red Bull Romaniacs – Romania, July 27/28/29/30/31
Round 5: Red Bull TKO – USA, August 13/14/15
Round 6: TBC – Poland, September 18/19
Round 7: Hixpania Hard Enduro – Spain, October 1/2/3
Round 8: GetzenRodeo – Germany, October 29/30

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KTM THANKS JONNY WALKER AS AGREEMENT CONCLUDES

KTM would like to thank enduro racer Jonny Walker for his achievements with the brand over the past eight seasons as his contract concludes with the Austrian manufacturer.

KTM confirms the departure of Jonny Walker from the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team by mutual agreement. Due to re-structuring within the team, linked to changes that have been made to the enduro program over the past few seasons, KTM has been unable to retain Jonny’s services for 2021.

Jonny began his hard enduro campaign aboard KTM machinery in 2010 following a successful career in trials. As a then 19-year-old, he worked his way up the enduro ranks before signing his first official agreement with KTM in 2011. Soon after Walker graduated into the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, in 2012. Walker won the Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble title that year, which he went on to successfully defend in 2013.

In 2015 Jonny took his riding to the next level, cementing his place as one of extreme enduro’s best following winning riders at The Tough One, Red Bull Romaniacs, Red Bull Hare Scramble, Hell’s Gate and Red Bull 111 Megawatt. Despite a number of injuries, which resulted in time off a bike during the following few years, the likeable Brit went on to claim podium finishes in further extreme enduros and WESS Championship events.

KTM would like to thank Jonny for everything he has achieved together with KTM and the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team over the years, including his extreme enduro and FIM SuperEnduro World Championship successes. KTM wishes Jonny all the best for his future.

Fabio Farioli – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “Firstly, we’d like to say a big thank you to Jonny for everything he has achieved with KTM Factory Racing. We had some good times over the years and some incredible results – including wins at some of the toughest events on the hard enduro calendar as well as in the SuperEnduro World Championship. He has been an important part of our team and has been integral to our ongoing success. Despite our best efforts we were unable to negotiate a deal to keep Jonny on the team. We wish him all the very best for the future.”

Photo: Future7Media – KTM Sportmotorcycle

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DOUBLE PODIUM DELIGHT FOR JARVIS AND GOMEZ AT ROMANIACS 2020

ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING FINISH ON THE PODIUM TO CLAIM HARD-FOUGHT SECOND AND THIRD PLACE RESULTS AT INFAMOUS ROMANIAN EXTREME ENDURO
Fighting all the way to the finish, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Graham Jarvis has put in a heroic week-long ride to narrowly finish as runner-up at Romaniacs 2020. Joining him on the podium, teammate Alfredo Gomez charged ahead on the final day of racing to secure third overall.

Despite the uncertainty of a pandemic-hit year, the world’s toughest hard enduro rallye finally got underway in late October. Ready to deliver his best, Jarvis had his sights set on a record-breaking seventh Romaniacs crown.

From the off, the British rider was on top form on his TE 300i. Winning Offroad Day 1 set the tone for what was to come as he embraced a lengthy battle with 2019 event winner Manuel Lettenbichler.

Continually swapping positions each day, Graham held a slender 25-second advantage entering the final day of racing. But faced with the unenviable task of opening the 107-kilometre-long course, the final event outcome didn’t quite work out as he hoped it would.

An early crash saw his lead evaporate as Lettenbichler drew level. Unable to respond, Graham had to put his dream of a seventh victory on hold, ending the demanding event second overall after more than 20 hours of close racing.

For Gomez, Romaniacs 2020 was eventful from the off as numerous crashes on the opening day put him on the back foot. But by digging deep and refusing to allow the event to get the better of him the Spaniard meticulously rode his way back into contention.

With just one minute separating him from a potential podium result at the end of the penultimate day, he put all his remaining energy into action, securing third overall by just 13 seconds.

A strong start saw Billy Bolt end Offroad Day 1 in third as he chased a debut Romaniacs podium. However, a series of mistakes and crashes midweek frustratingly slipped him down the running order.

Determined to show his true worth, Bolt put in a masterclass of riding to win Offroad Day 4 and with it claim a solid fifth overall.

Graham Jarvis: “It’s been different to race here in October, but it’s worked good. I felt like I was riding really strong all week, but today Mani just had the edge. Starting out the week with a win was perfect and put me into a strong position. I knew the other guys would be pushing hard too, so I tried to play the long game and wait for another attack. I won the penultimate day but only by enough to give me a 25-second lead. With one crash early on, that advantage was quickly gone. Overall, I’ve a lot to be happy about, but I guess I’ll have to wait a little bit longer for a seventh win.”

Alfredo Gomez: “I’m delighted to come back strong for third. After a bad start to my week I rode each day never giving up. Experience has taught me that everything can happen in this race and the most important thing you can do is be patient. I stuck to that and chipped away. I had a great ride yesterday and knew it was all-or-nothing today. I gave it my best and got third. I’m happy with that.”

Billy Bolt: “Overall, I’m pretty happy. It’s not the result I wanted, but I feel like I made good progress with this race, was more consistent, and closer to the leading guys. Certainly, winning the final day has been a real boost of confidence and already has got me thinking about next year. Finally, a big thank you to the team, they worked so hard this week too. Romaniacs really is a team effort because it’s such a long and tough race.”

Results – Romaniacs Hard Enduro Rallye 2020

1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 20:27:11
2. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 20:29:37 +2:26
3. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 20:41:20 +14:09
4. Wade Young (Sherco) 20:41:33 +14:22
5. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 20:58:29 +31:18
6. Mario Roman (Sherco) 22:11:39 +1:44:28
7. Michael Walkner (Husqvarna) 23:15:01 +2:47:50
8. Teodor Kabakchiev (KTM) 24:57:25 +4:30:14
9. Michele Bosi (KTM) 29:22:42 +8:55:31
10. Sonny Goggia (Beta) 30:04:05 +9:36:54

Photo: Future7Media – Husqvarna Motorcycles

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WESS edition KTM Enduro bike announced

Wels, Austria – 29 September, 2020 — In cooperation with KTM, the WESS Championship is pleased to announce the limited edition 2021 KTM 350 EXC-F WESS.

Highlighted by high-tech WP XACT 48mm air forks, the KTM 350 EXC-F WESS features its own distinctive WESS Championship livery along with many race-derived components to make it ready for the toughest of Enduro rides.

Acknowledging the importance of WESS as Enduro’s purest test of all-round skill and ability, KTM have pulled back the covers on their special 2021 model.

A must-have machine for any Enduro enthusiast, the KTM 350 EXC-F WESS delivers desirable all-terrain performance thanks to its advanced 350cc fuel-injected DOHC engine and state-of-the-art chassis.

But it’s the WP XACT air forks which really set it apart from the rest. Exclusive to the WESS edition model, they boast the latest WP technology, ensuring big weight savings and optimised settings for all riding conditions. A wealth of additional extras as standard completes the build.

KTM 350 EXC-F WESS highlights

• 350cc fuel-injected 4-stroke engine

• WP XACT 48mm air forks

• Limited Edition

• Celebratory livery

• Fitted with race-derived accessories

• Factory-replica as raced by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

The new KTM 350 EXC-F WESS will be available at authorised KTM dealers internationally from October 2020 onwards.

For more information on pricing and availability, please contact your local KTM dealer or visit www.ktm.com.

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