McCanney impresses with top five at Enduro World Championship

05-10-2011

After placing a cautious 11th in the Junior class on day one of the competition, McCanney attacked on day two taking three top-three test times on his way to a brilliant fifth place for the day.

Danny McCanney: “It's been my ambition to race an EWC and coming here has really lived up to my expectations. The French club and organisers put on a fantastic finale to the year with an incredible setting for the parc ferme in the middle of this historic town. And the tests were brilliant, the cross-country test alone took two and half hours to walk and even included a section of closed-road. They were long days in 30ºC heat, but exactly what the world championship should be about.

“On day one I was probably a bit careful, I didn't know what to expect and while I didn't think I was riding anything less than 100% I was not attacking enough. On the second day I came out fighting, twice took second place and once third in the tests. My deficit on the winner was halved, it was a much better ride and gave a proper account of what I can do, I was happy with that. As ever my Gas Gas CC300 was spot on, there was lots of technical going in hard pack and rock, plus long steep hills – and so much dust! – but the bike was never found wanting, it made the job that much easier.

"On a personal note I'd like to say a big thanks to Steve for the brilliant support he's given me this year, I couldn't have done it without him, his knowledge and guidance have been invaluable – and he's prepared a bike that's never let me down. And also I'd like to say thanks to the Manx Sports Aid Foundation, it's only with their support that it's been possible for me to make the many journeys to the British, European and World rounds."

Steve Plain, Gas Gas team manager : “I'm so proud of Danny, he's come through yet again. In fact his first day result shows his strength all the more. It would seem he was studying what it was all about on the first day – his first ever in the world championships – and having seen it and understood, he really did the job on the second day, in fact he finished 24th outright! He even beat the new junior world champion. Again Danny showed his talent, he's clearly world class, and he's more than ready enough to race this series full-time next year. I really hope we can put something together for him to do exactly that.”