Back-to back E1 wins for KTM’s Antoine Meo
OutdoorHub 03.25.12
KTM’s newest E1 signing, Antoine Meo of France launched a strong opening bid for the E1 world title with a double victory in the opening two rounds of the World Championship in Talca, Chile.
Meo, who said after completing the three laps of about 60 km on Saturday after Round One that it had been ‘a dream result’ remained in winning form on Sunday in Round Two in what was hot and dry dusty conditions.
In what turned out to be a challenging day of racing Meo followed up his excellent ride on Saturday where he won five of the special tests to beat Honda’s Rodrig Thain to set the fastest time in six of the eight tests on Sunday. It could not have been a better start for the French rider who is one of several new signings for the KTM Enduro Factory Team.
The weekend was not so successful for Meo’s teammate Eero Remes of Finland. He finished fifth on Saturday and seventh on Sunday.
Good showing by young KTM riders
Meanwhile in the EJ (Junior) class Victor Guerrero of KTM Spain and brother of E2 KTM factory rider Cristobal also made a solid start to his campaign. Seventh on Saturday, the young Spanish rider vaulted into second on Sunday helped by two wins and two second in the tests. KTM riders Edoardo D’Ambrosio of Italy and Kevin Benavides of Argentina from the KTM supported team did well to finish 4-5 in the class. KTM was also successful in the Youth Cup with Italian rider Giacomo Redoni of Italy taking first place and Santiago Isaza of Colombia finishing 1-3.
