FIM Sand Races World Cup: Kellett in command at Enduro del Verano
Reigning champion Todd Kellett continued his domination of the 2024 FIM Sand Races World Cup with victory in both races at the 2024 Enduro del Verano – round two of the series – in Argentina.
Following on from his victory at round one, Enduropale du Touquet Pas-de-Calais, defending champion Kellett lined up with the sizeable field of riders registered for the series who made the journey to South America for a very different challenge at round two.
The famous three-hour marathon on the northern coast of France is exchanged for a super-fast 20-minute race over a 3.5 kilometre course on the Saturday, followed by a 45-minute main event all on super-dry soft sand.
Fast starting Kellett quickly found the feel for the conditions, setting the fastest lap of the sprint race on his opening lap and never looked troubled. His only problem came just before half-distance when he momentarily slowed, but he immediately picked up the pace to win by just over six-and-a-half seconds on a total of 11 laps.
Sunday’s longer race saw the British rider complete six laps of the full 12.5 kilometre course but he was hounded all the way by Argentine Augustin Poli who revelled in front of the home crowd to finish eight seconds back of Kellett.
Poli looked like this on his first lap...
France’s Camille Chapeliere had to settle for the runner-up position in the FIM category and third overall ahead of Joaquim Poli fourth on the time sheets. Maxime Sot completed the top five one place ahead of HRC Rally Team rider Adrien Van Beveren.
Belgium’s Amandine Verstappen extended her lead in the Moto Women’s class with a top 60 overall finish, one lap ahead of defending champion Mathilde Denis. The Moto Veteran’s class went to Javier Pizzolito from Argentina, one lap up on reigning champion Arnaud Besnier. Argentina’s Danilo Goes finished third and also topped the Moto Vintage category.
Moto Junior race winner from round one at Le Touquet, French teenager Paolo Maschio, claimed another victory to extend his advantage in class.
2024 Enduro del Verano Results (main race):
Photo Credit: FIM | Fred Herregods
