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Andorra no fertile ground for KTM's Pignotti

In Supermoto

22 settembre 2008

Italian veteran S2 rider Attilio Pignotti had an eventful if at times painful weekend at the seventh of nine GPs on Sunday finishing sixth and fifth in the two races for overall sixth place high in the mountains of Andorra.
Racing at an altitude of 2400 m above sea level in the ski resort of Pas de la Casa very close to the French border proved to be problematic for Pignotti, whose injury-plagued season continued when he hit a tyre in free practice, twisting his left knee. This added a painful dimension to tackling the GP circuit, the highest permanent racing facility in the world that is made up of no less than 13 corners.

Pignotti was sixth in the official practice, a result that he was able to maintain in the first race by biting through the pain of the injury. He looked more comfortable in race two, getting away well at the start and contesting third place with Christian Iddon for three quarters of the race. Pignotti then came away empty handed after a charge by Delepine and eventually had to settle for fifth at the flag.

For his sixth overall Pignotti picked up 31 points and is in fourth place in the championship standings with 194 points. He still has a chance to catching Delepine, who is in third with 211, but the two leaders Chareyre and Gozzini have established a strong two-way lead. Pignotti will consult doctors about his injured knee and will be doing whatever is necessary to be in good shape for the races at home in Italy in two weeks time, the penultimate round of the season.

GP Results (seven of nine)
1. Adrien Chareyre, France, Husqvarna 22-25--47
2. Davide Gozzini, Italy, TM, 25-22—47
3. Gerald Delepine, Belgium, Husqvarna, 20-20—40
4. Christian Iddon, Britain, Aprilia, 16-18—34
5. Dominique Poulain, France, Husaberg, 18-14—32
6. Attilio Pignotti, Italy, KTM, 15-16—31

Championship standings (after seven of nine)
1. Adrien Chareyre, France, Husqvarna 275 points
2. Davide Gozzini, Italy, TM, 269
3. Gerald Delepine, Belgium, Husqvarna, 211
4. Attilio Pignotti, Italy, KTM, 194
5. Luca Minutillui, Italy, Aprilia, 180