KTM factory rider and multi-time World champ Samuli Aro has started the 2007 German cross country championship with a win.

The Flying Finn, who turned 32 just days before the race, stole the victory from France´s Antoine Letellier, who impressed pit pundits and spectators aboard his Aprilia twin-cylinder machine.

Under blazing sunshine and gruelling conditions, Aro used his long-standing world championship experience to wear Letellier down towards the final stages of the two-hour race.

The 450F-mounted Scandinavian was later quick to admit that the race should not have lasted one lap further (having blasted through the field following an early crash).

In a dramatic sprint to the finish line, reigning title holder Arnaud Demeester (France, Yamaha) managed to snatch the final podium spot from Germany´s Bert Meyer (Honda).

All four riders must now be considered serious threats for this year´s championship, where the winner will be rewarded with a state-of-the art Knaus camper worth approx. € 35.000.

Overall more than 700 riders competed in the event held at Tollwitz near Leipzig past Sunday.

They were treated with the ever professional organisation of series promotor Baboons and pretty much all of them will be back when round two gets underway on 12-13 May at Walldorf.