kalvis_temp
23.05.2018

Amateur Focus: Latvia’s Kalvis Kuskis Takes On WESS

  • Extreme XL Lagares
  • News

Latvian Kalvis Kuskis drove non-stop, solo, for four days to race the opening round of the World Enduro Super Series in Extreme XL Lagares, Portugal.

For the seven-round World Enduro Super Series, amateur rider participation is a big and important part of the championship. Hobby riders competing together with the world’s best riders is what makes Enduro sport both unique and special. There’s no other form of motorsport where all levels of ability go head-to-head at the same time.

Embracing the true spirit of the WESS, Latvian Kalvis Kuskis (Motosports Racing Team) was one such rider at the opening round of the series in Extreme XL Lagares who went to heroic lengths to compete.

Loading up his van with all the essentials, he travelled up to 1,000 kilometres each day and slept in the back of his van beside his bike each night of his trip.

“When I learned about WESS I knew it was a series I wanted to race in,” told Kalvis. “The races look exciting and getting to race alongside the Pro riders is cool.

“It was a long drive to get here. It took four days with almost 1,000 kilometres travelled each day and at night I slept in the back of my van on a bunkbed beside my bike, so it was even like Enduro!”

Opting to compete in the Expert class — a grade above his normal Hobby category, just so he could ride the infamous Urban Prologue in Porto — Kalvis finished a very impressive 44th overall in Sunday’s Main Race on his Husqvarna.

“Normally I race in the Hobby class at home, but for round one of WESS I decided to race in Expert because they also get to race the full Urban Prologue in Porto. I’ve watched all the videos of the Pro riders racing through the streets and it looked amazing. Getting the chance to ride those same streets was a major goal of mine.”

For 2018 he plans to contest at least six WESS rounds, with qualifying for Austria’s Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble next on his hit list.

“At the moment my goal is to race at least six rounds of WESS. Since Christmas I worked non-stop to save enough money to come to the events. I missed a lot of Friday night parties at home but Enduro is what I do and for me each race is a party. I’ve built a lot of friendships in the paddock and we have a fun time both on and off the racetrack.

“The Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble is my next race and my goal is simple: qualify for Sunday’s main event. Last year I got so close but just missed the grade. I’m not the fastest rider in the Iron Road Prologue but I know if I can be one of the fastest 500 then I can give it my best shot.”

 

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The World Enduro Super Series continues with round two at Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble in Austria on May 31-June 3.

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