Knight back in World Enduro

Manxman, David Knight, made a return to the World Enduro Championship podium at the penultimate round of the 2009 series staged in Serres, Greece this weekend.

It was the 31-year-old Manxman’s first WEC event since switching to the Paul Bird Motorsport Kawasaki KX450F.

In unfamiliar dry and dusty conditions, Knight took an early lead in the E2 class on day one before his progress was halted when he broke a footpeg on the first timed enduro test.

Ending the day fourth, Knight won each of the four extreme special tests.

On day two, a three-rider fight for the E2 top spot saw David battle against arch rival Juha Salminen and Cristobal Guerrero.

Dominating the extreme test once again, David missed out on the runner-up position by less than half a second and was placed just 18s behind eventual winner Salminen.

Knight said: “The main thing for me is that I really enjoyed the event. It was tough with the heat but generally I’m pleased with the way it went.

“Returning to the WEC was never going to be easy, but I’ve improved throughout the weekend and know where improvements can be made.

I was pleased enough with the way the first day went but the second day was really good and things were really close between myself, Salminen and Guerrero early on.

I made some mistakes on a few tests, caught a few slower riders on some others, and at the same time Juha was riding really well.

“I’m pleased that I was competitive, but a little disappointed that I missed out on second by next to nothing. I feel like I’ve improved a lot during the weekend and that I really started getting back into it.

“Like I said, I know where I can improve the bike and myself so I’m looking forward to the French Enduro Championship event next weekend and the WEC final the week after.”

Results 2009 WEC Round 7, GP of Greece
Enduro 2 class, Day 1
1. Johnny Aubert (KTM) 55:42.12
2. Juha Salminen (BMW) 56:09.19
3. Cristobal Guerrero (Yamaha) 56:19.35
4. David Knight (Kawasaki) 56:48.58
Enduro 2 class, Day 2
1. Juha Salminen (BMW) 51:13.10
2. Cristobal Guerrero (Yamaha) 51:31.91
3. David Knight (Kawasaki) 51:32.28