Woodcock on the box as MIE score victory in a thrilling final in Round Two of the E-Xplorer FIM World Cup in Crans Montana – Race Report
The second round of the 2023 E-Xplorer FIM World Cup produced a second win in a row for the Japanese MIE team of the Spanish pairing of Jorge Zaragoza and Sandra Gómez in a thrilling final. The duo, riding the EMX XF30, led by the Japanese sensation, Midori Moriwaki, were the class of the field for most of the action-packed event but the final was a close-run race with Seven-EM Stewart Racing who were delighted to take the second-place podium slot.
The location for this event could not have been more dramatic with a back drop of Mont Blanc and The Matterhorn framing the horizon in a sun soaked and festival-style atmosphere. Electric fun and competition flooded the Swiss Alps for this eve.
As for the riders, it was business as usual and a race had to be won. MIE took the victory but it was far from an easy ride.
“It was very different from the Round One in Catalunya,” said Jorge Zaragoza. “I am a motocross rider so it was challenging for me here with the logs and the obstacles, but Sandra, my team mate, really helped me with this format and we talked a lot and combined our experience to great effect. The whole event has been amazing. It was certainly one of the best races I have ever won thanks to this stunning location. It has been a fantastic two days.”
“In this championship, we don’t know the tracks until we get here,” said Sandra Gómez. “I loved the lay out and it suited me. But more than anything it was amazing to be racing so high up in the Swiss Alps with Montblanc and the Matterhorn in the background.”
Second place went to the US team, Seven-EM Stewart, with the new pairing of Canadian rider Spenser Wilton and young Norwegian rider Vilde Marie Holt, who was delighted to be invited to race with the James Stewart owned team in a late call. For the 21-year-old from Oslo it was a dream calling.
“This is unbelievable for me,” said the young Norwegian. “To race for James Stewart is incredible and to be here in this setting in a World Cup event is fantastic. It has been an incredible experience.”
The ‘Small Final’ which settles the final podium place was won by Maddwill powered by EMBX, a team which also arrived in Switzerland with a new line up of Swiss rider Sandra Keller and Brit, Dylan Woodcock who received a call early in the week to ride. It was a fantastic result for the team and a memorable one for Woodcock.
“This has been a fantastic two days. What a chance to ride for such a team and to finish on the rostrum is fantastic. I hope to be back.”
The event, which was attended by senior members of the FIM, including the President Jorge Viegas who presented the winning trophy, has been heralded a huge success and the series is now looking forward to Round Three which takes place on Saturday July 29 in Auvergne, France.
“This has been a fantastic event,” said Carina Munte, CCO and Co-Founder, E-Xplorer. “This young championship is really starting to make an impression and today has been another big step forward. We are excited to be moving to France for the next round and I expect another fantastic event in Europe before we head to the US.”
