Round 2 of the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup firmly got underway with a spectacular display in the Oslo sunshine.
The new location meant the E-Xplorer riders had to also tackle a new track, with multiple elements designed to test the riders’ skills and display the capability of the bikes, including jumps, logs, and testing corners.
After the riders got to grips with the new track, Tosha Schareina emerged as the favourite going into tomorrow’s qualifying and race day, dominating both practice sessions in the men’s category.
After two closely fought sessions in the women’s category, Nieve Holmes and Tanja Schlosser both found themselves at the top of the timing sheets, but the battle for the fastest time was constantly shifting throughout both sessions.
Both Bonnell Racing and Team HRC riders finished the day first and second in their respective final sessions, teeing up a monumental battle tomorrow.
In the first practice session, Team HRC rider, Schareina, immediately set the tone, pushing his Honda machinery from the green flag. Schareina clocked a time of 1:09.920, giving himself an advantage just shy of two seconds.
Spurred on by the home crowd, Norwegian rider Even Heibye would set the second-fastest time for team GF Logistikk. A wildcard entry for the Oslo round, Norwegian outfit GF Logistikk presented themselves as the surprise package in the first session and a team to keep an eye on in tomorrow’s races.
Bonnell Racing’s Dylan Woodcock impressed on his Stark Future, quickly adapting to the new track, Woodcock met the chequered flag with the third-fastest time of the session.
In the Women’s first practice session, Francesca Nocera looked set to make it a double for Team HRC in the first practice sessions. However, PCR-E Performance rider Nieve Holmes would deny her, recording the fastest time of the session on her final lap.
Closely following the pair, Bonnell Racing’s Schlosser would mirror the position of her teammate to set the third-fastest time of the session.
After some set-up tweaks, the riders returned to the track for the second free practice session of the day. Business resumed for Schareina, going even faster with a time of 1:07.052 to match the evolving track.
Tosha Schareina, Team HRC, said: “We had a really good first day of practice here in Norway. The team feels good with the bike and the track, it’s a perfect combination of Supercross and Superenduro parts. I think it’s also perfect for the crowd to share a great moment with us and I’m ready for tomorrow.”
Chasing Schareina, Woodcock and Heibye would again make up the top three. Woodcock will have to find 1.306 seconds in tomorrow’s qualifying session to close the gap to the Team HRC rider, with Heibye a further 0.609 behind.
Finishing the day off in style, Tanja Schlosser gave Bonnell plenty of confidence going into tomorrow, beating Nocera by 0.593 seconds to end the day in first. Holmes would still be on the pace in the final session, finishing with the third fastest time.
Tanja Schlosser, Bonnell Racing, added: “The plan is to make as few mistakes as possible. I like the jumps because you have to jump them perfectly and the ground has held up well, it’s really nice to ride. We will have to see how it works out tomorrow.”
INDE Racing – who achieved an overall podium in Osaka – will be looking to build on their experience from practice to return to the front tomorrow, cementing their championship charge. A new rider for the team, Runar Sudmann, has replaced the injured Spenser Wilton for this round. Sudmann used today’s practice to familiarise himself with the team, bike and track and is aiming for a good result tomorrow.
SEVEN Racing returned to the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup paddock for the first time this season. The team saw success in season 1, finishing a respectable fifth in the championship standings. Their return to the series could prove pivotal in the championship fight this season.
Another championship contender from last season, Gravity, will also have high hopes heading into tomorrow’s race day. Gravity finished second in the overall standings last season, so they are well-equipped to produce at the sharp end of the field when it matters.
The all-Australian outfit, AUS-E Racing, is the only team riding EBMX this weekend. Possessing a different design and capacity to the Stark Future and Honda CR Electric Proto, the team have to tackle the challenging track with a distinct style. Watching how their race will unfurl tomorrow as Jack Field and Jessica Gardiner grow in confidence with the bike will be an interesting spectacle for the visiting crowd.
Local riders Andrine Osland, Runar Sudmann, Vilde Marie Holt, Mette Fidje and Even Heibye will aim to use the spirit of their home crowd to power them to a strong result tomorrow when qualifying gets underway.
Interested in being part of the electric revolution? For more on E-Xplorer races, when they’re happening, and how to get involved, email: press@fimexplorer.com.
Words and Images by FIM E-Xplorer World Cup
