Enduro final this weekend
Champions under pressure
The Grand Finale of the Bank Windhoek Namibian Enduro Championship takes place on Saturday at Farm Döbra.
This year could mark the transition in generations, as multiple champions Henner Rusch (KTM, leader motorbikes more than 250 cc) and Ingo Waldschmidt (KTM, leader motorbikes up to 200 cc) are at risk of losing their championship titles to the young guns Pascal Henle (KTM, more than 250 cc) and Marcel Henle (KTM, up to 200 cc).
The event takes place on Farm Döbra - also referred to as “Otjihase” due to the proximity to the Otjihase Mine – and follows tracks in a diverse landscape, including broad riverbeds, rocky terrain and canyons. Spectators can follow the action near the pit area along a sandy riverbed.
In the motorbikes of more than 250 cc, the championship is an affair between Rusch and Pascal Henle. Rusch has a comfortable lead of 13 championship points, thus even if Henle wins, Rusch would only have to finish among the top eight to be crowned champion
Kai Hennes (KTM) still has a slim chance of finishing second overall, as he trails Henle by 12 championship points.
Marcel Henle (KTM) delivered a classy performance in the motorbikes up to 200 cc at the last event where he won, clocking the fastest lap time and the fastest overall race time of all riders. However, championship leader Ingo Waldschmidt (KTM) ensured his championship lead remained intact, finishing second and three championship points ahead of Henle.
Waldschmidt secured the championship by finishing ahead of Henle in the last event, while with a victory, Henle will be equal on points with Waldschmidt, in case he finishes second.
In the senior motorbikes class, the competition is on between Sven Schneidenberger (KTM) and Frank Ahlreip (KTM) who are separated by seven championship points, while Werner Wiese (KTM) and Kai Hohmeier (KTM) are currently tied in points for third place.
The clubman’s class is as tight as can be. Gerald Heiser (KTM) has a one-point lead ahead of Juergen Gladis (KTM). Equally, only one point apart, are Adams (3rd overall) and Erni (4th overall) in contention for third place. A nail biting finish is guaranteed.
In the class for off-road bikes, Kurt Hartung (KTM) has already secured the championship with his victory in the last event. Lenny Bagwitz (KTM), Juan van As (KTM) and Keanu Weber-Trianus are still in contention for the other podium places, with Lenny Bagwitz has an advantage as he is currently placed second with an eight-point championship lead. Noam Babluki (KTM) and Adam Johnston (Yamaha) will be fighting for the development class championship, where Liam Gilchrist (Husqvarna) has secured third overall already.
In the open quad class Jens Rubow (Yamaha) leads the championship nine points ahead of J.L. Opperman (Honda), who has a 16-point lead over Claire Brendel (Honda). The final championship standings thus seems set. However, both Rubow and Opperman have yet to see the finish line.
In the ladies quad class, championship leader Shannon Rowland (Honda) went off the track at the last event and could not finish the race. Maike Bochert (Honda) took victory and thus stayed in contention for the championship, as Rowland and Bochert are exactly 20 points apart ahead of the final event.
To get to the venue, follow the B6 from Windhoek towards Gobabis for approximately 15 km, and turn off to the Otjihase Mine until you reach the mine entrance (around 14 km). From this point onwards, the “Enduro” signage will guide to the pit area.
Visit the Namibian Enduro Club website at www.namibianenduro.com for more information.
This year could mark the transition in generations, as multiple champions Henner Rusch (KTM, leader motorbikes more than 250 cc) and Ingo Waldschmidt (KTM, leader motorbikes up to 200 cc) are at risk of losing their championship titles to the young guns Pascal Henle (KTM, more than 250 cc) and Marcel Henle (KTM, up to 200 cc).
The event takes place on Farm Döbra - also referred to as “Otjihase” due to the proximity to the Otjihase Mine – and follows tracks in a diverse landscape, including broad riverbeds, rocky terrain and canyons. Spectators can follow the action near the pit area along a sandy riverbed.
In the motorbikes of more than 250 cc, the championship is an affair between Rusch and Pascal Henle. Rusch has a comfortable lead of 13 championship points, thus even if Henle wins, Rusch would only have to finish among the top eight to be crowned champion
Kai Hennes (KTM) still has a slim chance of finishing second overall, as he trails Henle by 12 championship points.
Marcel Henle (KTM) delivered a classy performance in the motorbikes up to 200 cc at the last event where he won, clocking the fastest lap time and the fastest overall race time of all riders. However, championship leader Ingo Waldschmidt (KTM) ensured his championship lead remained intact, finishing second and three championship points ahead of Henle.
Waldschmidt secured the championship by finishing ahead of Henle in the last event, while with a victory, Henle will be equal on points with Waldschmidt, in case he finishes second.
In the senior motorbikes class, the competition is on between Sven Schneidenberger (KTM) and Frank Ahlreip (KTM) who are separated by seven championship points, while Werner Wiese (KTM) and Kai Hohmeier (KTM) are currently tied in points for third place.
The clubman’s class is as tight as can be. Gerald Heiser (KTM) has a one-point lead ahead of Juergen Gladis (KTM). Equally, only one point apart, are Adams (3rd overall) and Erni (4th overall) in contention for third place. A nail biting finish is guaranteed.
In the class for off-road bikes, Kurt Hartung (KTM) has already secured the championship with his victory in the last event. Lenny Bagwitz (KTM), Juan van As (KTM) and Keanu Weber-Trianus are still in contention for the other podium places, with Lenny Bagwitz has an advantage as he is currently placed second with an eight-point championship lead. Noam Babluki (KTM) and Adam Johnston (Yamaha) will be fighting for the development class championship, where Liam Gilchrist (Husqvarna) has secured third overall already.
In the open quad class Jens Rubow (Yamaha) leads the championship nine points ahead of J.L. Opperman (Honda), who has a 16-point lead over Claire Brendel (Honda). The final championship standings thus seems set. However, both Rubow and Opperman have yet to see the finish line.
In the ladies quad class, championship leader Shannon Rowland (Honda) went off the track at the last event and could not finish the race. Maike Bochert (Honda) took victory and thus stayed in contention for the championship, as Rowland and Bochert are exactly 20 points apart ahead of the final event.
To get to the venue, follow the B6 from Windhoek towards Gobabis for approximately 15 km, and turn off to the Otjihase Mine until you reach the mine entrance (around 14 km). From this point onwards, the “Enduro” signage will guide to the pit area.
Visit the Namibian Enduro Club website at www.namibianenduro.com for more information.
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