SNOWCROSS VEYSONNAZ PHOTOS HERE
The FIM Snowcross World Championship kick-started in Switzerland, and this was one of the most demanding weekends for the snowmobile racers. Two rounds - one on Friday and one on Saturday - took place at Veysonnaz, winner of the FIM Environmental Award in 2006, and it was a busy start to the season. The weather was sunny, and the temperature around the 1000 metre long track was about -7° Celsius.
Defending Champion Peter Eriksson experienced a wonderful season opener on Friday, and won both Motos.
The Swedish Lynx rider was followed by Polaris’ Johan Eriksson, who fought hard in both Heats to finally collect two second places.
The first podium of the Snowcross season was all Swedish, with Viktor Stenman racing his Arctic Cat to third overall.
From fourth to sixth place it was a Ski Doo dominance, with Daniel Olofsson fourth, Fredrik Granberg fifth, and Tomi Ahmasalo sixth.
Last year’s runner up Janne Tapio had an unlucky day, that started with a crash in the first Heat, due to a technical problem. "I was lucky not to get hurt" commented the double World Champion. "I was thinking of the crash in Moto 2, where actually one guy crashed at the first corner, and I was stuck for a little while. During the race, I could not see well because of the dust and the sun".
Neither Saturday was positive for Tapio. He was leading the second Moto, when he crashed and injured.
On the other hand Swedish Viktor Stenman won the first Heat from Finnish Tomi Ahmasalo and current World Champion Peter Eriksson. Daniel Olofsson was fourth, and Johan Eriksson completed the top five, right ahead of Lynx mounted Janne Tapio.
In the final Heat Olofsson got the win, to finish first in the overall classification. Peter Eriksson was second, just one point behind Olofsson, while Viktor Stenman was third.
Ski Doo mounted Tomi Ahmasalo was fourth overall, and Lynx’s Emil Ohmann was fifth.
Finnish Janne Tapio tried hard, but was not lucky in Veysonnaz
After the first two rounds, Peter Eriksson leads the World standings, 14 points ahead of runner up Daniel Olofsson. Thanks to his two podiums, Swedish Viktor Stenman is third, only one point behind countryman Olofsson.
Johan Eriksson is fourth, and looks forward to closing in on the top three. But he needs to watch out from Tomi Ahmasalo, fifth in the Championship.
Lynx’s Janne Tapio is 17th, but he is skilled enough to improve his position.
The Snowcross circus will rest until the 10th of February. The third round of the FIM Snowcross World Championship will be held in Finland, at Lahti.
2007 FIM Snowcross World Championship calendar
26 Jan (Fri) SWITZERLAND Veysonnaz
27 Jan (Sat) SWITZERLAND Veysonnaz
10 Feb (Sat) FINLAND Lahti
3 Mar (Sat) NORWAY Oppdal
10 Mar (Sat) GERMANY Sayda
11 Mar (Sun) GERMANY Sayda
31 Mar (Sat) SWEDEN Falun
Last update: 17 January 2007
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- Daniele RIZZI - also photos
