Hotshot Loic Larrieu takes Trefle Lozerien win
By Future 7Media on 14th Jun 18
With the World Enduro Super Series stopping at Frances Trefle Lozerie AMV, it was Yamahas Loic Larrieu who delivered the goods to come out on top.Larrieu topped the podium in the three-day Classic Enduro, from Shercos Theo Espinsse and KTMs Josep Garcia.
And it was a good weekend for the British contingent among the 600 competitors, with Nathan Watson grabbing seventh and Jonny Walker 10th, while Jamie Lewis cracked the top 20 in 19th.
Included in the WESS series, it also meant Husqvarnas Billy Bolt and Graham Jarvis were in the mix too and despite the race coming hot on the heels of Erzbergrodeo, Bolt took 38th, behind
Alex Walton in 37t,h with Jarvis showing a solid turn of speed for 44th. Staged over three days the Trefle Lozerie AMV is Frances most important Enduro, with the 600 entries selling out in minutes.
The hub is located in the picturesque town of Mende, with a unique loop marked out for each day to represent the shape of a clover. In total there are 15th special tests, five each day, with only the final one of each day being repeated.
The 32nd edition of the race had an added air of excitement as the entry was boosted by the inclusion of the World Enduro Super Series and with only French riders having ever won the race, the pressure was on the home side to keep that record going.
From the off the French side has the measure of everyone on the slippery and technical grassy tests. Marc Bourgeois led the way home on day one but then drama on day two saw him exit with an injured leg.
Emmanuel Albepart was quick to Frances defence and he won day two to lead going into the final days racing. However, with the start order reversed for day three, the amateurs were first away and cut a line into the tests for the pro class to follow.
Jonny Walker - WESS - Trefle Lozerien
This worked in Garcias favour and the reigning Enduro 2 World Champion was on a charge. Blitzing tests one to four, he clawed his way back into contention meaning everything hinged on the final test between himself, Larrieu and French Junior Espinasse.
Determined to deny Garcia a showstopper finish, Larrieu laid everything on the line in the final test and stuck in the fastest time to ensure a French victory and his first win in the race. Ive been trying to win this race for three years, so to finally get it done is a special moment for me, said Larrieu.
With it included in WESS it certainly added to the pressure, competition and prestige. Its always been important to win here but this was probably one of the most competitive years yet.
For Garcia it was a matter of running out of tests. Despite reducing his 30-plus second deficit to ten, he had to be content with third overall, finishing less than one second behind runner-up Espinasse.
To end the event on the podium in third is a really good result for me, said Garcia. Things didnt start too well on Friday when I crashed in the liaison and then in the special test.
I lost a lot of time and needed to adjust my riding in these slippery grassy conditions.
I felt much stronger today and was able to push. I really enjoyed it and was able to take todays win. That also gave me third overall in the race, so it was a perfect end to things.
Also improving positions on day three once the start order was reversed, Watson had a good final day showing of fifth to end the event seventh overall.
That was such a cool race I really enjoyed it, he said.
Its difficult to make up much time and the results are so close with only 15 minutes or so of timed tests per day you cant afford to make many mistakes. The French riders are fast on the grass and it took a bit of getting used to after the two hard enduro opening rounds.
Entering France as the new WESS championship leader, Walker knew his chances of finishing on the podium would be slim. With a focus of holding onto his points lead, beating as many WESS regulars as possible was the priority.
Impressing even himself with 10th overall he not only kept his lead intact but extended it. I knew jumping from Hard Enduro to Classic Enduro within the space of a couple of days would be difficult, but I tried to keep an open mind on things, said Walker.
The Trefle Lozerien is a specialised event and local riders always excel, so I knew finishing on the podium would be a big ask. I set a goal of top-15 so to end the race in 10th is even better than I expected. Also extending my lead in the series is fantastic.
Next best of the British contingent in France was Welshman Jamie Lewis. Finding Trefle holding a few added elements to traditional enduro, such as mid-day motocross-style tests, Lewis enjoyed his time a lot with 19th.
It was my first time coming here and I was surprised to find it somewhat different than a normal traditional enduro, said Lewis.There were a few things to learn and adapt to like motocross tests and tarmac tests during the days.
Also I decided to ride the 450 and there wasnt as many big open grassy tests as I expected, they were more technical.But overall you cant help but love the atmosphere of the event, its relaxed and a lot of fun and Ill be back next year.
Switching gears from Hard Enduro mode to Classic Enduro, Paul Bolton came home in 27th overall and said: Ive enjoyed myself this weekend. It was really good to come and do something new. Its been a while since I raced Classic Enduro but this one was ace. The riding, the tests, the atmosphere, it was all good fun.
Im happy enough with where I finished, in fairness I never expected to challenge the front guys but as long as I rode my best then Im happy enough with that.
For Bolt, hopes of a top 20 result looked promising until a mechanical on the final day ruined his chances. Forced to push across the finish line, he frustratingly dropped down the order to 38th and in doing so slipped to third overall in the series standings.
Its been a fun weekend and worlds apart from last weekends Erzbergrodeo, admitted Bolt.
I had done a couple of Classic Enduro races in preparation for Trefle Lozerien but this race is very unique in terms of the slippery grassy special tests. I was happy with my riding on day one but struggled on day two to find a decent rythym and so dropped a bit of time.
I was recovering well on day three but had some bike issues and lost a lot of places. With round three coming hot on the heels of his Erzbergrodeo win, Jarvis always knew France would be a tough stop in the series.
Not a Classic Enduro specialist by any means, the Husqvarna rider did surprise a lot of people with his dogged consistency to finish in 44th. With this race coming a couple of days after the Erzbergrodeo I knew that it would be difficult, said Jarvis.
Winning Erzberg took a lot out of me both in preparation and the race, so I wasnt totally focused on this type of riding. I hadnt raced Classic Enduro for many years either and had to ease my way into things.
Although Id love a better result Im both pleased and realistic with my riding as the actual times were very tight.Romaniacs is next on the list and of course the focus is to go there and win.
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