Ivan Cervantes of the KTM Enduro Factory Team coasted home in second place on Saturday in the first of two races in the E3 Grand Prix of France to scoop up 22 points and secure the World Championship title with one race still in hand.

Knowing how much was at stake Cervantes rode a cautious and slightly nervous race, precautions that paid off for him handsomely.

Even before Sunday's final race of the season, the Spanish rider is unbeatable for the 2007 honours.  His KTM factory teammate Marko Tarkkala of Finland was third on Saturday and looks like taking second place in the season's standings although Saturday's winner Sebastien Guillaume still has a theoretical chance to catching him. Although the final races are made to measure for the French riders, Guillaume would have to win Sunday's race and Tarkkala would have to get no points at all for Guillaume to finish second.

Regardless of Sunday's result, Cervantes has had a blessed season , riding with skill and near perfection over all types of terrain, in all kinds of weather and in a whole range of different countries. He has been on the podium in the 15 races held so far of the 16-race season. By piloting his KTM 525 EXC to the top of the ranks he has fulfilled his pre-season goal of wanting to win the E3 world championship title in 2007.

"I think it was the best race of the season," said KTM team boss Fabio Farioli. "Now the pressure is off and we just have to go out and ride well tomorrow to have a nice race for the huge crowd of spectators.

Results Saturday E3
1. Sebastien Guillaume, France, Husqvarna
2. Ivan Cervantes, Spain, KTM
3. Marko Tarkkala, Finland, KTM
4. Bjorne Carlsson, Sweden, Husaberg
5. Jean-Francois Goblet, Belgium, KTM