GASGAS Factory Racing’s Michael Walkner has earned a career-best FIM Hard Enduro World Championship stage FIM Hard Enduro World Championship stage result while also digging deep to finish sixth overall at the Xross Hard Enduro Rally. The young Austrian placed a brilliant second fastest on day one, along with claiming multiple top special stage times during the four day race in Serbia.
Michael Walkner: “It’s been a good week for sure. Finishing second on day one was amazing. It’s my best result so far in hard enduro. I tried my best to keep that rhythm going but we had some tough sections, and I lost some time in crucial places. But knowing I can run this pace is a huge confidence boost and I’m excited for the next round at Erzbergrodeo. My home race, I can’t wait!”
Building, building, building! That’s exactly what Michael Walkner continues to do as the youngster progresses with his hard enduro career. Achieving his best stage result to date, the GASGAS Factory Racing rider carded a super second on day one of the Xross Hard Enduro Rally, proving he’s got the speed to mix it with the world’s best.
Following a composed ride in the short-and-sweet straight rhythm prologue, Walkner was hopeful of a better result once he began the first full day of racing in the Serbian mountains.
A late top-10 start position on day one saw Michael get underway in a determined mood. Quickly settling into the loose and rocky terrain on his GASGAS EC 300, he ended the opening special stage in sixth before jumping to second on the longer second special stage. Excelling, Walkner showed his true capabilities by winning the third and final three-hour long special stage to finish day one second fastest.
A little bit of bad luck hampered his progress on day two, coming home an eventual eighth on the day and still managing a top-three time on the second special stage. Although dropping to sixth in the overall classification, a top-four result was still on the table entering the final day.
Giving it everything he had, Walkner enjoyed a solid third day of racing, going on to secure sixth overall in the event. However, with plenty of promise shown and so, so much more experience gained, he now heads to his home round, Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, fired up for success.
The FIM Hard Enduro World Championship continues with round three at Red Bull Erzbergrodeo in Austria on June 16-19.
Results - FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, Round 2 Xross Hard Enduro Rally (Provisional)
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 11:10:04
2. Tedodo Kabakchiev (KTM) 11:20:07
3. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 11:28:35
6. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 11:47:10
Championship Standings After Round 2 (Provisional)
1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 30pts
2. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 30pts
3. Teodor Kabakchiev (KTM) 27pts
4. Wade Young (Sherco) 27pts
5. Alfredo Gomez (GASGAS) 21pts
6. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 20pts
7. Mario Roman (Sherco) 20pts
8. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 18pts…