The Knighter finished 3rd on day one and won day 2 in Italy.
KTM Farioli Enduro Factory Support Team rider David Knight remains the Enduro World Championship Enduro 3 class leader following two podium results at the GP of Italy, round three of the ’10 EWC series. Enduring a tough opening day due to illness, on day two Knighter bounced back to claim victory. David remains six points ahead of Frenchman Christophe Nambotin at the head of the E3 championship standings.
Enjoying the tough Italian event despite feeling decidedly under the weather during day one, Knight narrowly missed the runner-up spot at the end of the first day’s competition placing just three seconds behind Seb Guillaume with championship rival Christophe Nambotin taking the win. On day two Knight gave his all and despite there being little to separate him from Nambotin a strong third and final lap saw the KTM rider claim a well-deserved victory.
Knighter’s next event will be the fifth and sixth rounds of the British Enduro Sprint Championship, which takes in Mid Wales, on May 29/30.
David Knight: ‘Although I didn’t win the first day I had a good time, the problem was just that Christophe and Seb were faster than I was. I don’t know why but I didn’t feel myself before the day started and I had a few problems with my vision during the day. I just felt strange and at one point I didn’t think I would be able to finish. I realised it was just one of those days where I was going to have to do as best I could and not worry about trying to win. I couldn’t put my finger on what the problem was but thankfully I didn’t have in on the second day. I wasn’t too disappointed with third because I did my best. It was hard work on a big four-stroke, especially on the extreme test where the two strokes were really fast. I didn’t really do anything different on the second day and I would have been happy with second. There were so many people supporting me out on the tests it was incredible. You couldn’t rest anywhere because there were people on every corner pushing you to go faster. I used every single ounce of energy I had. Christophe managed to get a few seconds on my during the first couple of tests but the enduro test was good to me and I managed to pull it back. I gave the last lap absolutely everything and it worked out well for me. The enduro test was so rough but a lot like my training track at home. Winning is what I needed to do as far as the championship is concerned, and I enjoyed having to push as hard as I did. Christophe is a hugely under rated rider, I think he’s probably the best rider in the world championship. I’m sure we’re going to have many more battles this year, and I’m looking forward to them.’
2010 Enduro World Championship
Grand Prix of Italy – Day 1
Enduro 3
1. Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas) 1.06:17.74;
2. Seb Guillaume (Husqvarna) 1.06:30.80;
3. David Knight (KTM Farioli Factory Support Team) 1.06:33.09;
4. Simone Albergoni (KTM) 1.07:27.75;
5. Alessandro Botturi (Husaberg) 1.09:03.01
2010 Enduro World Championship
Grand Prix of Italy – Day 2
Enduro 3
1. David Knight (KTM Farioli Factory Support Team) 1.04:47.42;
2. Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas) 1.04:56.60;
3. Simone Albergoni (KTM) 1.06:35.50;
4. Seb Guillaume (Husqvarna) 1.06:40.73;
5. Marcus Kehr (KTM) 1.07:49.20;