Nathan Watson tops Megawatt qualification
By Press Release on 9th Sep 18
Great Britains Nathan Watson (KTM) set the pace at Poland's Red Bull 111 Megawatt to top qualification for round five of the World Enduro Super Series.
Relishing the deep sandy terrain of Europes largest coal mine, Watson led home a Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1-2-3, with teammates Josep Garcia (ESP) and Jonny Walker (GB) second and third respectively.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarnas Billy Bolt (GB) was fourth fastest with home favourite Taddy Blazusiak (KTM - POL) completing the top five.
With 1000 competitors eager for action at round fives Red Bull 111 Megawatt, the opening day of competition saw riders compete for a place in Sundays main event by battling it out on a 12-minute-long sandy Motocross special test and the worlds longest Endurocross track.
At the top of the standings, Classic Enduro specialists Watson and Garcia were quick to set the pace, heading the provisional standings at the end of the opening qualification run. Walker and Blazusiak were close behind in third and fourth.
Despite rougher conditions, the majority of riders went faster for run two. Considerably improving his time on the Motocross test, Watson put his name to the top of the results sheet heading into Sundays final. With just eight seconds separating them, Garcia took second place, while series leader Walker ensured a strong, front row start with third.
Round four winner, Sherco Factory Racings Wade Young (RSA) was sixth fastest behind Bolt and Blazusiak. Setting the seventh fastest time, Dominik Olszowy (KTM) ensured two Polish riders qualified inside the top 10.
Finishing five seconds behind Olszowy, Beta Factory Racings Travis Teasdale (RSA) was eighth and fellow South African Blake Gutzeit (Yamaha) ninth. Second to Walker in the championship standings, Germanys Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) confirmed his place on the front row with 10th.
Nathan Watson (KTM - GB):It feels great to qualify fastest for round five of WESS. When I saw the sand quarry I knew I could put in some quick times as its the terrain Im most comfortable in. The Motocross test was really good and even though it was rough on lap two it rode faster.
"There was better grip in the corners and you could really push hard. The Endurocross test was long, rough and tough, with some big jumps, too. Overall, its been a great day and hopefully I can continue this form for tomorrow. Ive no real idea what to expect but Ill give it my best shot. Hopefully I can get a good start and put myself into a good position on lap one and be there when it counts at the end.
Josep Garcia (KTM - ESP): Today was a lot of fun. Both special tests were very fast and nice to ride. I made a couple of small mistakes but nothing major during the day. Im pleased with my speed and Nathan and myself had a really good battle.
"We were pushing each other hard but he just had a little more on me in the afternoon. Tomorrow of course will be a different story and a different type of race. Its my first time here and so its hard to know what to expect. Ill try to learn from those with more experience and be ready to push hard in the final stages.
Jonny Walker (KTM - GB):Im pretty happy with third today. I knew Nathan and Josep would be fast because today was like a Classic Enduro special test. I decided to make a switch to the KTM 350f four-stroke for this race with the intention of staying on it for the remainder of the series.
"Ive put a lot of time training on the bike and feel comfortable with it over the long cross-country style races. As series leader a win tomorrow will be a big result for the championship, Ive won here three times, so I know what it takes.
Results: 2018 Red Bull 111 Megawatt Qualification
1. Nathan Watson (KTM) 15:48.067; 2. Josep Garcia (KTM) 15:56.547; 3. Jonny Walker (KTM) 16:08.040; 4. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 16:41.151; 5. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 16:24.446; 6. Wade Young (Sherco) 16:35.872; 7. Dominik Olszowy (KTM) 16:41.153; 8. Travis Teasdale (Beta) 16:46.938; 9. Blake Gutzeit (Yamaha) 16:48.325; 10. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 16:54.968
More like this…
Wade Young wins Red Bull 111 Megawatt
Sherco Factory Racing’s Wade Young has claimed victory at 2018 Red Bull 111 Megawatt in Poland, round five of the World Enduro Super Series.
2018 Tennessee Knockout Extreme Enduro preview
Red Bull Romaniacs winner Wade Young and SuperEnduro World Champion Cody Webb head the billing at the 2018 Tennessee Knockout Extreme Enduro, August 18-19.
Romaniacs youngest ever winner on being at his absolute physical limit
Round four of the World Enduro Super Series saw Sherco Factory Racing’s Wade Young become the youngest ever winner of Red Bull Romaniacs. For five epic days of Enduro racing the 22-year-old South African battled both his rivals and the elements to secure the biggest victory of his career to date.