Holcombe: "something clicked, I dropped the pin and went for it"
The 2018 Spanish Enduro GP got a whole lot more interesting on day two after heavy overnight rain, and almost continues rain during the day, made conditions tricky to say the least.
At different points most of the top 10 riders were putting up strong test times but equally took turns to drop chunks of time in the incredibly difficult conditions. The transfer sections between tests were throwing up some challenging riding all of their own.
Holcombe turns the tide
For Steve Holcombe it was a case of not making those mistakes and getting the result he felt he deserved after his day one was hampered when his Beta sucked in water on the enduro test: “It was difficult for me and Eero [Remes] to open all the tests after the rain last night but I tried to be smart in at least the first lap and a half.
“I saw I was a little bit down on time, then something clicked in the second enduro test and I dropped the pin and went for it."
“From there it felt really good, really precise and I kept it in control. I’m happy to get the time back I lost this morning and take the win. Making up some points after yesterday was important. I’m fit and comfortable on the bike and pushing right to the end now which is a good sign for the rest of the season.”
Strong weekend for Salvini
Alex Salvini’s 1-3 scorecard was the kind of result the former world champion is looking increasingly likely to pull off in 2018. His season both in GPs and the Italian Championship is showing Salvini is back running where we know he should be.
Yamaha's team performance
Jamie McCanney’s 1-1 in E1 was another strong performance from the Outsiders Yamaha rider after a similar showing in Finland. Second overall on day two built upon his fourth from day one for a successful weekend for the Brit.
“It was a wild day for everyone with the rain but it’s the same for everyone. Yesterday was my first race of the year really, apart from Finland, so I was a bit rusty and nervous.” Said McCanney.
“Today I relaxed and knew what I was capable of doing. I didn’t realise for a start I was fighting for the scratch overall result – I’m focusing on my class and in that I had a comfortable lead today so didn’t want to risk too much. I’m looking forward to next week where hopefully the rain stays away and we have a sunny Portugal!”
Jamie’s Outsiders Yamaha team-mate, Loic Larrieu also had a strong weekend and looked to be heading for a scratch result podium at least until one poor test knocked his overall time. Runner-up in E2 on day two though added to his third in both E3 and overall on day one.
The top two riders in Juniors (J1 and J2) deserve mention also with some super-fast test times on day two. Andrea Verona (J1) and Davide Soreca (J2) finished with overall times easily comparable with the podium results in the bigger classes and well inside the top 10 in Scratch.
Holcombe, both McCanney’s, Larrieu, Salvini, Remes, Charlier and Nambotin traded places at the top of the test time sheets all day – showing the event and new World Enduro class system to be a very competitive at this event.