2013 Enduro World Championship
Matt Phillips ensured Team Husqvarna Monster Energy CH Racing had much to celebrate at the final round of the 2013 Enduro World Championship, held in St Flour, France, as the young Australian put the finishing touches to an incredible season, claiming the Enduro Junior World Championship title on his TE310R.
In only his first year of EWC competition Phillips secured seven-day wins to eventually place 47 points clear at the head of his class.
Entering the final round of the series with a commanding lead Phillips’ hopes a relatively straight forward run to the title were ended mid-way through day one when the heavens opened, causing near chaos. With some Enduro Junior class riders stranded out on the track and unable to finish the day, Phillips on hi TE310R battled on to earn a well-deserved runner-up result and with it became the 2013 Enduro Junior World Champion.
On day two Phillips looked to have done enough to end the championship with a win, but was handed a one-minute penalty for accidentally running outside the track markers. Matt eventually placed fifth.
Matt Phillips (Enduro Junior – TE310R): “Winning the Enduro Junior World Championship has been a great end to my first season in the EWC. All weekend the racing was good, and despite the wet weather at the end of day one I really enjoyed it. Danny McCanney was riding really well on day one, and I knew that a decent result would get me the title, so I pushed hard without going too crazy.
“Obviously the title was the most important thing, and to get it is just great. Starting the year not really knowing what the EWC was all about, to end it as the junior champion – it’s just amazing. I really have to say a huge thanks to everyone in the team, they’ve been great to me and helped me so much. I really wanted to win the second day, and thought I had. With only four tests on day two the times were really tight. I was pushing hard but made a mistake on a corner and ran outside the tape. I didn’t gain anytime but got penalized for it and dropped back to fifth. Despite that it’s been an amazing event, and to now be a world champion is just great.”
2013 Enduro World Championship, GP of France, Enduro Junior Results:
Day 1
1. Danny McCanney (Gas Gas) 1.01:13.52
2. Matthew Phillips (Husqvarna) 1.01:55.69
3. Nicolo Mori (Beta) 1.05:23.27
Day 2
1. Loic Larrieu (Husaberg) 21.31:40
2. Jamie McCanney (Husaberg) 21.34:69
3. Danny McCanney (Gas Gas) 21.37:69…
5. Matt Phillips (Husqvarna) 22.16:52
2013 Enduro World Championship Junior Standings:
1. Matt Phillips (Husqvarna) 243 – World Champion
2. Giacomo Redondi (KTM) 196
3. Danny McCanney (Gas Gas) 186
