Reigning FIM Enduro 3 World Champion and AMA Endurocross title winner KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli rider David Knight got his '06 season off to a winning start by dominating the second running of the WOR, organized The KTM Tough One, staged at Nantmawr Quarry, Oswestry on January 21.
Starting at the rear of the 30 rider strong Premier class having had to run up a steep hill before sprinting 300 meters to get to his bike, Knight needed just over 30 minutes to make his way to the front of the race, a position he held until the finish. Completing 17 laps, David finished one full lap ahead of his nearest rival.
The winner of the UK's only extreme race, Knight convincingly proved just how dominant a rider he has become in extreme events by finishing one full lap ahead of his nearest rival, Wayne Braybrook. Battling his way from the rear of the Premier class, David soon found himself among the top three and needed only a few more laps to move to the front and open up a commanding lead. Claiming the 500.00 prize for being the rider leading the race at the halfway point of the race, Knight continued to pull away from his rivals during the second half of the race and win, claiming a further 1000.00 in prize money.
With the second hour of the event taking place in the dark Knight, like all riders, had to negotiate his way around the partially floodlight and increasingly challenging course - something that proved simply too difficult for several riders. Knowing that he had a comfortable lead at the front of the premier class David eased off during the closing stages of the race to win ahead of Wayne Braybrook and Euan McConnell.
David's next event is in an arena enduro staged in Austria on January 28-29.
David Knight: "Winning The KTM Tough One is a great way to start the new season. I was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to catch the top Premier class riders because of my penalty at the start of the race but it's been a great event and I'm really pleased with the way I rode. I heard bikes start and thought the race had started and ran up the hill to get to my bike, but it was just riders warming up their bikes. I had to walk back down the hill and then run back up again when it had started - my legs were as heavy as stone then. I was exhausted by the time I had run to my bike.
"I was lucky to get going ahead of the Expert and Clubman riders. I caught up with the tail end of the Premier class riders soon enough as a few riders were stuck on one of the log sections and some more on the rocks. I couldn't really get going until about the third or fourth lap because I was in among so many riders. I had to get off and push a few times, which took a lot of energy.
"I didn't know that I had caught and passed Edmondson until I got stuck on a hill and had to turn around and have another go. Paul passed me back then so I followed him for a while. When I passed him I upped my speed to open a bit of a lead. I really enjoyed the track and racing in the dark was great fun. My rear wheel jammed on one lap, I think I must have had a rock stuck in my rear wheel.
"I know now that my speed is good so I'm looking forward to the Genoa Indoor Enduro and Hell's Gate. The atmosphere around the track was great, there were loads of spectators dotted all over the place. Everything was spot-on, it was a great event."
Results - Premier class
1. David Knight (D3-Racing KTM / KTM Enduro Factory Team Farioli) 17 laps;
2. Wayne Braybrook (Honda) 16 laps;
3. Euan McConnell (TM) 16 laps;
4. Graham Jarvis (Sherco) 16 laps;
5. Ed Jones (KTM) 15 laps;
6. Juan Knight (Gas Gas) 15 laps;
7. Jason Thomas (KTM) 15 laps;
8. Mark Jackson (KTM) 14 laps;
9. Daryl Bolter (Husqvarna) 14;
10. Tom Sagar (Honda) 14 laps;