|
The KTM Enduro Factory Team plans to go on the attack to retain the Enduro World Championship titles in 2007 and above all, to have fun riding their machines.
The KTM team goes into the MAXXIS FIM World Enduro Championship 2007 as title holders in all classes but they still plan to go on the attack, work hard and further improve the team performance. This year KTM is fielding a blue ribbon Enduro team but competition will be tough and it will be a challenge to retain the titles and stay on the top of the action. Work has continued unabated on fine tuning the KTM machines, and with the KTM Factory Team and their “A travelling laboratory” this will be an ongoing process to make sure that every inch of performance is available to enhance the considerable line-up of rider skills.
Team Boss Fabio Farioli has excellent winning talent on which to set his hopes: Juha Salminen and Alessandro Belometti in E1, Samuli Aro and Fabien Planet in E2 and Ivan Cervantes and Marko Tarkkala in E3.
Salminen is returning from the USA to rejoin the competition and takes a modest stand, saying he feels like a beginner "New bike, new ambitions, and new people around me. I approach this season as I did in 1998, my first year with the 125cc."
"I have known Juha for many years. He has been with us before and he has won many times before. I think he is one of the best riders and he’s very professional and more representative of our age. I am hoping for a great season for him. It won’t be easy but all the team are working towards achieving this objective," Farioli commented.
Reigning champion Samuli Aro of Finland opens the season as favourite in the E2 class and rides a 450 EXC Racing emblazoned with the prestigious No. 1. He is joined by his factory team-mate Frenchman Fabien Planet on a 250 EXC. The team boss say Fabien has now matured after his early experience with two strokes and says the 250 is just right for his abilities.
With title holder David Knight off to the USA to ride for KTM in the GNCC Series, KTM has two hot irons in the E3 fire with Marko Tarkkala and double E1 champion Ivan Cervantes, both onboard 525 EXC Racing machines.
Source: Press Release KTM | 
