Kawasaki Superbike Racing Team rider David Knight made a return to the World Enduro Championship podium at the penultimate round of the '09 series staged in Serres, Greece - his first ever WEC event aboard Kawasaki machinery. 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 foot peg 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 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 placed just 18 seconds behind eventual winner Salminen.
David Knight: "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. Day one started really well and I managed to open up about an 18 second lead, which was good, but then I broke a footpeg in the first enduro test. That cost me a lot of time. On the extreme test my bike was perfect, but it was too soft on the enduro test. I was pleased enough with the way the first day went though. I had many more good tests than I did bad. The second day was really good. 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. The extreme test always went well. It was on the faster going where I was losing out a little. 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. I have to thank my team for doing a great job all weekend."
Results - '09 WEC Rnd 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 Superbike Racing Team) 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 Superbike Racing Team) 51:32.28