Simo Kirssi keeps going from strength to strength. The BMW Husqvarna Motorsport factory rider has claimed victory in the firstever Battle-X. Following five consecutive wins in Cross Country races across Europe, 30yearold Kirssi used the new Extreme Enduro competition to determine his abilities in such events and as a preparation for the Roof of Africa in November.
The twoday Battle-X was held at the amusement park Waffenrod (Thuringia) under conditions hotter than hell. The participants, among them some recognised German pro riders, not only had to deal with the brutal heat, but also with four gruelling qualifying heats. Kirssi kept a low profile during the first three of them. The Scandinavian finished second in the "Torture Test", the "Sudden Death" and Sunday morning's "Rising Sun", before making short work of his rivals in the "Final Destination", where Kirssi scored seven straight startfinish victories to take the event overall in dominating fashion.
The inaugural Battle-X was characterised by a combination of eight large and five smaller artificial obstacles. "Races like the Battle-X do certainly have a future. They're good for the riders to display their talent and good for the fans who are close to the action. I believe the difficulty level could be somewhat higher, though," said the Finn, who's regularly training with a trial motorcycle since two years.
Overall classification Battle-X 2010
1. Simo Kirssi, BMW Husqvarna Motorsport
2. Daniel Hähnel, KTM
3. Ralf Scheidhauer, Husqvarna
4. Thomas Günther, Husaberg
5. Matthias Weichselmann, Yamaha
6. Phillip Storz, Yamaha
7. Seppo Suttner, KTM
8. Reini Rauch, KTM
9. Thomas Arnold, KTM
10. Andre Engelmann, KTM
The twoday Battle-X was held at the amusement park Waffenrod (Thuringia) under conditions hotter than hell. The participants, among them some recognised German pro riders, not only had to deal with the brutal heat, but also with four gruelling qualifying heats. Kirssi kept a low profile during the first three of them. The Scandinavian finished second in the "Torture Test", the "Sudden Death" and Sunday morning's "Rising Sun", before making short work of his rivals in the "Final Destination", where Kirssi scored seven straight startfinish victories to take the event overall in dominating fashion.
The inaugural Battle-X was characterised by a combination of eight large and five smaller artificial obstacles. "Races like the Battle-X do certainly have a future. They're good for the riders to display their talent and good for the fans who are close to the action. I believe the difficulty level could be somewhat higher, though," said the Finn, who's regularly training with a trial motorcycle since two years.
Overall classification Battle-X 2010
1. Simo Kirssi, BMW Husqvarna Motorsport
2. Daniel Hähnel, KTM
3. Ralf Scheidhauer, Husqvarna
4. Thomas Günther, Husaberg
5. Matthias Weichselmann, Yamaha
6. Phillip Storz, Yamaha
7. Seppo Suttner, KTM
8. Reini Rauch, KTM
9. Thomas Arnold, KTM
10. Andre Engelmann, KTM
