A three-day event held in the north of Spain, Hixpania Hard Enduro pits competitors against three different races over the course of the weekend. Unlike other rounds of the series, event points are earned for each race day result. The overall winner being the rider who accumulates the most points over the three days.
Friday evening will see riders take to the streets of Aguilar de Campoo as the medieval town comes alive with the endurocross-style prologue. Saturday’s Campoo Extreme challenges riders with a 50-kilometre cross-county loop that winds its way around a large lake to the west of the host town. On Sunday, the final day of the event, competitors will face a multi-lap extreme enduro, set out in the forests and hills of the area.
Runner-up at the 2017 event, Jonny Walker knows exactly what is needed at Hixpania. A previous winner of the Friday Prologue, the British rider will be keen to once again maximise his points haul on the opening day. With Saturday’s cross-country and the final day’s extreme main event both falling within his comfort zone, Jonny is looking forward to the race.
Jonny Walker: “I’m feeling really good right now. I have been doing a lot of riding since Erzberg and everything seems to be looking positive. The Prologue in the town is really good fun – it’s a short course but good fast racing and I know I can do well there. The second day enduro is a good race but I think a good solid ride is important there to stay fresh for Sunday. The main race can be very tough, but I am happy with my riding and I know I need to try to make up some good points for the championship. I’ll give it my best as always.”
Surprisingly, 2019 marks Taddy Blazusiak’s first ever appearance at the Hixpania Hard Enduro. However, the event should suit the multiple Superenduro World Champion perfectly with its mix of speed and extreme races. Currently lying ninth in the World Enduro Super Series standings, Taddy is keen to claim a strong result in Spain.
Taddy Blazusiak: “Erzberg was a tough race for me, I had a bad start and was playing catch up from then on. My speed was good though and I’m feeling really good on the bike right now. I did hurt my little finger last week but I’m confident it’ll be ok. Hixpania is all-new to me but I have a good idea of what to expect and I’m looking forward to the race on Sunday.”
With Hixpania not featuring in the 2018 WESS season, Red Bull KTM’s Josep Garcia and Nathan Watson will also be riding the event for the first time. Both riders come from classic enduro backgrounds, but now with a year’s WESS experience under their belts, the pair are ready to take on the new-for-2019 WESS event.
Garcia, having excelled at his second attempt at the infamous Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble, lies a strong fourth overall in the current WESS standings. The Spaniard is looking forward to racing in front of his home fans.
Josep Garcia: “Hixpania is one of the events I have been looking forward to the most since it was added to the WESS calendar. I can’t wait to race in front of the local Spanish fans. I know it will be another tough event, but my training has been going well and I know I have the speed. My aim is to stay strong and consistent over the three days and hopefully earn some good WESS points.”
Lying 10th in the WESS standings, Watson has already stepped up on to the podium this year with a third-place result at Trefle Lozerien AMV. With his strength being his out-and-out speed, the 2019 Le Touquet Beach Race winner will be aiming to maximise his performance on Saturday’s cross-country, while remaining consistent in the more technical extreme races.
Nathan Watson: “I’m not really sure what to expect heading into Spain. I think my strongest race is definitely going to be Saturday’s cross-country loop. I have struggled in the endurocross-style events in the past but hopefully, if the weather is good, I can surprise a few people and be up near the front. The extreme race on Sunday will be a new challenge for me, but I’m prepared to give it my best, that’s all can do. It’s definitely going to be another tough weekend.”
