KTM factory rider David Knight, has the Enduro E3 World Championship crown within his sights after a first and a second in rounds 11 and 12 of the championship in Serres, Greece at the weekend.
The recently crowned British champion was beaten by nearest title rival Christophe Nambotin on Saturday by 5.11 seconds, but Knight got his revenge on Sunday in hot summer temperatures by putting in a fast ride for the win, while Nambotin retired.
Knight now has an impressive 53-point lead over the second placed Frenchman and is well placed to take the title. His only possible challengers are either Nambotin or his own teammate Simone Albergoni, who are currently separated by a single point and he was pleased to have overcome what he described as a series of 'stupid little problems' to grab the points.
"Day one was full of stupid little problems that shouldn’t happen in world championship events," Knight said. "Ok, coming across a wild dog on the track can happen in a place like this, but catching a marshal in a test shouldn’t happen and both cost me time.
'Coming across a wild dog on the track can happen in a place like this' – David Knight
"I also had some riders coming the other way on the course, the track marking tape was down in places, which with the dust isn’t what anyone needs. It all made for a strange day really. But I was happy enough.
"After I’d struggled a little on the first lap I got better and my last lap was pretty good. The enduro test has always favoured smaller bikes here so I was happy to be on the pace there. I got a load of tape in my rear wheel on two tests on the opening lap, which was my fault, but it didn’t help me.
"Then on the second lap I found it hard to concentrate. I didn’t feel tired but I’m sure that was due to the heat. I decided then to settle for second if I had to. I was in contention with Nambotin going into the final enduro test and I felt good.
"I’ll never know if I’d have been able to beat him as he had a problem, which put him out of the event. I was really enjoying our battle. I’d have been happy with second. I’ve got a really good points lead now and can win the title now in Turkey next weekend, but it’s more important to just get through that event and to the last race in France only needing a few more points there."
Enduro E3 World Championship Rounds 11 & 12, Serres, Greece – Day 1 Results
1, Christophe Nambotin, France, Gas Gas
2, David Knight, Britain, KTM
3, Sebastien Guillaume, France, Husqvarna
4, Aaron Bernardez, Spain, KTM
5, Bartosz Oblucki, Poland, Husqvarna
Enduro E3 World Championship Rounds 11 & 12, Serres, Greece – Day 2 Results
1, David Knight, Britain, KTM
2, Sebastien Guillaume, France, Husqvarna
3, Bartosz Oblucki, Poland, Husqvarna
4, Marcus Kehr, Germany, KTM
5, Oriol Mena, Spain, Husaberg
E3 World Championship standings after Rounds 11 & 12
1, David Knight, Britain, KTM – 281 points
2, Christophe Nambotin, France, Gas Gas, 229
3, Simone Albergoni, Italy, KTM, 228
4, Sebastien Guillaume, France, Husqvarna, 218
5, Marcus Kehr, Germany, KTM, 183
For more on David Knight, click here and for more motor sports action, click here.
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