BMW Husqvarna factory rider Simo Kirssi has crushed the opposition at round three of the German Cross Country Championship. The Finn dominated the event held at Marisfeld on his way to claiming the series lead of Europe's biggest motorcycling off road series.
In front of 4,500 spectators Kirssi led through the opening stages of the two-hour moto, before a mistake allowed fellow countryman Samuli Aro to move in front. Under blazing sunshine and on a highly technical yet flowing course, Kirssi didn't have to follow his rival for very long. By the end of lap two the original order was re-installed, and the friendly Finn never looked back. The 30-year-old rounded the Marisfeld track 10 to 20 seconds quicker per lap than his opponents, as he kept powering away aboard his BMW 450 X.
Following a pit stop at half distance for re-fuelling, Kirssi only did what it took to defend his lead. While multi-time Enduro World champ Aro dropped back, neither first round winner Stefan Svitko nor Dutchman Hans Vogels were able to mount a serious challenge.
Kirssi now sits on top of the standings. He's tied on points with Svitko, but holds the upper hand due to his superior number of race wins.
Simo Kirssi: "A brilliant track, one that's suiting me very well. A strong crowd and a professional organisation added to a higly enjoyable race. I managed to set a good pace early on, which gave me a solid gap before everyone came into the pits. The team signalled I'd rather keep a low profile during the remainder of the race. That's what I did, so here I am on the top step of the podium."
German Cross Country Championship 2010, Rd. 3, Marisfeld
1. Simo Kirssi (FIN), BMW Husqvarna Motorsport, 19 laps
2. Stefan Svitko (SLK), KTM, 19
3. Hans Vogels (NEL), Husaberg, 19
4. Samuli Aro (FIN), KTM, 19
5. Christian Weiß (GER), TM, 19
6. Steffen Albrecht (GER), Yamaha, 19
7. Jan Zulauf (GER), KTM, 19
8. Marco Straubel (GER), KTM, 19
9. Andreas Schulz (GER), KTM, 17
10. Martin Schneider (GER), Yamaha, 16
In front of 4,500 spectators Kirssi led through the opening stages of the two-hour moto, before a mistake allowed fellow countryman Samuli Aro to move in front. Under blazing sunshine and on a highly technical yet flowing course, Kirssi didn't have to follow his rival for very long. By the end of lap two the original order was re-installed, and the friendly Finn never looked back. The 30-year-old rounded the Marisfeld track 10 to 20 seconds quicker per lap than his opponents, as he kept powering away aboard his BMW 450 X.
Following a pit stop at half distance for re-fuelling, Kirssi only did what it took to defend his lead. While multi-time Enduro World champ Aro dropped back, neither first round winner Stefan Svitko nor Dutchman Hans Vogels were able to mount a serious challenge.
Kirssi now sits on top of the standings. He's tied on points with Svitko, but holds the upper hand due to his superior number of race wins.
Simo Kirssi: "A brilliant track, one that's suiting me very well. A strong crowd and a professional organisation added to a higly enjoyable race. I managed to set a good pace early on, which gave me a solid gap before everyone came into the pits. The team signalled I'd rather keep a low profile during the remainder of the race. That's what I did, so here I am on the top step of the podium."
German Cross Country Championship 2010, Rd. 3, Marisfeld
1. Simo Kirssi (FIN), BMW Husqvarna Motorsport, 19 laps
2. Stefan Svitko (SLK), KTM, 19
3. Hans Vogels (NEL), Husaberg, 19
4. Samuli Aro (FIN), KTM, 19
5. Christian Weiß (GER), TM, 19
6. Steffen Albrecht (GER), Yamaha, 19
7. Jan Zulauf (GER), KTM, 19
8. Marco Straubel (GER), KTM, 19
9. Andreas Schulz (GER), KTM, 17
10. Martin Schneider (GER), Yamaha, 16
