Simo Kirssi has ended the German Cross Country Championship in style. The BMW factory rider owned the final race held in Schefflenz from start to finish.
The wonderful Schefflenz track, a longtime mainstay in the German offroad scene, offered splendid conditions and lots of real cross country elements. The win for the fifth time this year went to a dominant Kirssi, who had clinched the title already at the penultimate round and might have taken it easy. But being the competitive athlete he is, Kirssi put the hammer down for yet another stunning display of his riding skills.
The 30yearold took command right at the beginning of the twohour moto, and never had to look back. Whether it was multitime Enduro World champ Samuli Aro or first round winner Stefan Svitko, the competition stood no chance against the speed of the "Flying Finn". 2.000 specators might have wished for more drama at the front, but in return Kirssi rewarded them with the ultimate riding clinic. When the chequered flag came out, the 2010 series champ had extended his lead to over two and a half minutes.
A major asset in Kirssi's performance was yet again Team BMW Husqvarna Motorsport. The winner's BMW 450 X was as well prepared as always and the pitstop lasted only 14 seconds. The BMW 450 has been the most successful cross country bike in recent years, winning alone five of the seven rounds held this season. Kirssi and his motorcycle have taken 13 out of 21 wins since 2008.
The XCC campaign 2010 is now drawing near its end. Only the European final in October is left. Kirssi travels to Rudolstadt (9 October) to defend his continental title.
Simo Kirssi: "What a perfect end to the German Cross Country Championship! My bike ran without a problem. This 450 must be the ultimate cross country weapon. I didn't have to go to the limit today, it was just one of these days when everything clicks. I had a brilliant start and began to gap the field right away. When I hit the track again after the pitstop, it was just a matter of controlling the field. A big thanks goes to my fans, the team, BMW and the sponsors. I'm excited to go to the European final. My closing race of the season will be the Roof of Africa in November."
Markus Theobald - Project Manager Offroad Sport: "Simo was untouchable again. My sincere congratulations for today's win and the title victory. We're happy how our 450 proves to be the best cross country bike. Looking at the level of world class competition, these results really tell a lot. Now we're looking forward to the European final."
German Cross Country Championship, final, Schefflenz
1. Simo Kirssi (FIN), BMW Husqvarna Motorsport, 23 Runden
2. Mickael Musquin (FRA), BMW, 23
3. Dennis Ullrich (GER), Honda, 23
4. Christian Weiß (GER), TM, 23
5. Steffen Albrecht (GER), Yamaha, 23
6. Stefan Svitko (SK), KTM, 23
7. Marco Straubel (GER), KTM, 22
8. Jens Wiedemann (GER), Suzuki, 22
9. Samuli Aro (FIN), KTM, 21
10. Andreas Schulz (GER), KTM, 19
German Cross Country Championship, final ranking
1. Simo Kirssi, 192 Punkte
2. Samuli Aro, 154
3. Stefan Svitko, 145
4. Christian Weiß, 133
5. Steffen Albrecht, 132
The wonderful Schefflenz track, a longtime mainstay in the German offroad scene, offered splendid conditions and lots of real cross country elements. The win for the fifth time this year went to a dominant Kirssi, who had clinched the title already at the penultimate round and might have taken it easy. But being the competitive athlete he is, Kirssi put the hammer down for yet another stunning display of his riding skills.
The 30yearold took command right at the beginning of the twohour moto, and never had to look back. Whether it was multitime Enduro World champ Samuli Aro or first round winner Stefan Svitko, the competition stood no chance against the speed of the "Flying Finn". 2.000 specators might have wished for more drama at the front, but in return Kirssi rewarded them with the ultimate riding clinic. When the chequered flag came out, the 2010 series champ had extended his lead to over two and a half minutes.
A major asset in Kirssi's performance was yet again Team BMW Husqvarna Motorsport. The winner's BMW 450 X was as well prepared as always and the pitstop lasted only 14 seconds. The BMW 450 has been the most successful cross country bike in recent years, winning alone five of the seven rounds held this season. Kirssi and his motorcycle have taken 13 out of 21 wins since 2008.
The XCC campaign 2010 is now drawing near its end. Only the European final in October is left. Kirssi travels to Rudolstadt (9 October) to defend his continental title.
Simo Kirssi: "What a perfect end to the German Cross Country Championship! My bike ran without a problem. This 450 must be the ultimate cross country weapon. I didn't have to go to the limit today, it was just one of these days when everything clicks. I had a brilliant start and began to gap the field right away. When I hit the track again after the pitstop, it was just a matter of controlling the field. A big thanks goes to my fans, the team, BMW and the sponsors. I'm excited to go to the European final. My closing race of the season will be the Roof of Africa in November."
Markus Theobald - Project Manager Offroad Sport: "Simo was untouchable again. My sincere congratulations for today's win and the title victory. We're happy how our 450 proves to be the best cross country bike. Looking at the level of world class competition, these results really tell a lot. Now we're looking forward to the European final."
German Cross Country Championship, final, Schefflenz
1. Simo Kirssi (FIN), BMW Husqvarna Motorsport, 23 Runden
2. Mickael Musquin (FRA), BMW, 23
3. Dennis Ullrich (GER), Honda, 23
4. Christian Weiß (GER), TM, 23
5. Steffen Albrecht (GER), Yamaha, 23
6. Stefan Svitko (SK), KTM, 23
7. Marco Straubel (GER), KTM, 22
8. Jens Wiedemann (GER), Suzuki, 22
9. Samuli Aro (FIN), KTM, 21
10. Andreas Schulz (GER), KTM, 19
German Cross Country Championship, final ranking
1. Simo Kirssi, 192 Punkte
2. Samuli Aro, 154
3. Stefan Svitko, 145
4. Christian Weiß, 133
5. Steffen Albrecht, 132
