KTM’s Alfredo GOMEZ (E) claimed his debut SuperEnduro victory at his home round of the FIM Maxxis SuperEnduro World Championship in Bilbao, Spain. Having come agonisingly close to winning numerous times, the Spaniard finally made it count to secure the top step of the podium at the penultimate round of the series. After a hectic night of racing Gomez was joined on the podium by teammate Jonny WALKER (GB) in second and Husqvarna’s Colton HAAKER (USA) third. In the Junior class, Yamaha’s Blake GUTZEIT of South Africa made it two wins in a row with the overall victory in Bilbao.

“Incredible,” told GOMEZ after the podium celebrations. “I’ve worked so hard for so long to get this victory and to finally do it on home turf is amazing. It’s been a great night. Thank you to KTM, Red Bull, my family and everyone who’s made it possible.” Faced with a tough and challenging course for round three of the series, the penultimate stop of the championship proved a demanding one for all. Quick to set his marker, WALKER laid down the fastest time in the Akrapovic SuperPole.

With the gate dropping on the opening Prestige race, the action quickly heated up. WALKER, GOMEZ and HAAKER were all in close contention with each rider sharing the lead at least once. Mistakes dropped HAAKER back to an eventual third as WALKER and GOMEZ went at it for the win. GOMEZ attacked at every opportunity but WALKER — yet to win a heat race this season — was not going to let this one slip away. Hanging it out just that little bit more, he hung on to claim his first win of the 2017 series with GOMEZ second.

Results

Prestige

Heat 1 : 1. WALKER ; 2. GOMEZ ; 3. HAAKER ; 4. ROMAN ; 5. LETTENBICHLER ; 6. LEON; 7. RAUCHENECKER; 8. JUAN BERNABEU; 9. ADDESSO; 10. SALSENCH…

Heat 2: 1. GOMEZ; 2. HAAKER; 3. ROMAN; 4. WALKER; 5. LETTENBICHLER; 6. LEON; 7. RAUCHENECKER; 8. JUAN BERNABEU; 9. ADDESSO; 10. SALSENCH…

Heat 3: 1. GOMEZ; 2. WALKER; 3. HAAKER; 4. LETTENBICHLER; 5. ROMAN; 6. LEON; 7. RAUCHENECKER; 8. ADDESSO; 9. BERNABEU, 10. SALSENCH…

SuperPole powered by Akrapovic: 1.WALKER; 2. GOMEZ; 3. HAAKER…
Standing: 1. HAAKER 165pts; 2. GOMEZ 154pts; 3. WALKER 146pts; 4. ROMAN 98pts; 5. RAUCHENECKER 77pts; 6. LETTENBICHLER 62pts; 7. BLAZUSIAK 58pts; 8. BROWN 56pts; 9. SALSENCH 48pts; 10. UUSNA 47pts…

Junior

Heat 1: 1. TEASDALE; 2. GUTZEIT ; 3. FERNANDEZ; 4. GALLAS; 5. B.HERRERA; 6. APOLLE; 7. CYPRIAN; 8. BURY; 9. HUMPHREYS; 10. FLACK…

Heat 2: 1. GUTZEIT; 2. B.HERRERA; 3. GUTZEIT; 4. HOARE; 5. APOLLE; 6. TEASDALE; 7. HUMPHREYS; 8. FLACK; 9. GALLAS; 10. CYPRIAN …

Heat 3: 1. B.HERRERA; 2. GUTZEIT; 3. TEASDALE; 4. GALLAS; 5. CYPRIAN; 6. FERNANADEZ; 7. HOARE; 8. HUMPHREYS; 9. D.HERRERA; 10. APOLLE…

Standing: 1. GUTZEIT 157pts; 2. B.HERRERA 127pts; 3. CYPRIAN 81pts; 4. HUMPHREYS 80pts; 5. APOLLE 80pts; 6. FERNANDEZ 73pts; 7. GALLAS 70pts; 8. HOARE 63pts; 9. VIAL 60pts; 10. SEALEY 51pts…