Nathan Watson | Photo credits: KTM Factory Racing
The world-renowned CFS: Championnat de France des Sables has finally made it through its seventh and final round at the Enduropale du Touquet and defending champion Nathan Watson has done it once again by retaining his title with an impressive run.
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider competed among the 1,200 riders in the challenging three-hour event. He made a great and fast start and continued to push throughout the race. Despite that, he picked-up a 60-second stop-and-go penalty in the early stages. He bounced back an battled his way up to fifth place during the first five laps. He then ended his run at third place. The podium win rendered him overall champion with a total of 845 points.
Teammate Camille Chapeliere, on the other hand, trailed behind at fourth place. The Frenchman secured third overall in the championship.
Photo credits: KTM Factory Racing
“It’s been a hard season, but to come away with back-to-back French Beach Race titles is amazing. It’s a credit to the team. They worked so hard to get this result. It’s me out on the track but it really is a team effort, for sure. Naturally, I wanted to win the championship with victory here today, but the cards didn’t fall my way. Between the nature of the track and then the stop-and-go penalty, things were against me. I felt like the track was maybe too fast for me. And that I needed more corners to slow the early pace down,” says Nathan Watson as quoted from KTM Factory Racing.
“I hold my hands up about the start, I simply got my timing a little wrong with the bungy being released. I went a little too early. One minute was a tough penalty, especially as I never gained anything and exited the first corner in 12th. But it is what it is. Overall, I’m pleased with the season as a whole. I think that myself and Camille showed we’re two of the strongest guys out there and our bikes never missed a beat. Thanks to KTM and the team, we’ll celebrate this title for sure!”
Photo credits: KTM Factory Racing
“I’ve definitely shown this year that my KTM 450 SX-F is fast. I got the holeshot and have managed to holeshot almost all rounds of the championship this year. It makes a huge difference in a race like this to get out front so soon. I put in a very strong opening lap and led the whole way there. Once we got into traffic on lap two my strategy was to focus on myself and stay safe. I didn’t want to take too many risky moves because it can go wrong very quickly. I saw that first hand last year. I’m pleased to make a safe, strong and consistent race. Top three was the ultimate goal, but I’m happy with fourth. To sign off the championship in third overall, with a 100 per cent finishing record is very rewarding, together with KTM we’ve achieved a lot this season.”
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