Image: Jonty Edmunds.

Australian duo Matt Phillips and Jessica Gardiner have opened the 2014 FIM Maxxis Enduro World Championship with a pair of podium finishes in Solsona, Spain, over the weekend.

KTM’s Phillips was second in E3 on Saturday after battling Ivan Cervantes (KTM) for the victory, before a third position on Sunday behind Cervantes and Matti Seistola (Sherco) completed a double podium surge for the current Enduro Junior World Champion.

Gardiner (Sherco) was just as impressive as she opens her world title quest in the Women’s, finishing third on both days of competition in the event dominated by Laia Sanz (Honda). Jemma Wilson finished eighth on day one and fourth on the second.

The E1 category was taken out by Christophe Nambotin (KTM) on both Saturday and Sunday, while Antoine Meo (KTM) and Pela Renet (Husqvarna) split wins in the E2 ranks.

The 2014 FIM Maxxis Enduro World Championship continues with round two in Vale de Cambra on 12-13 April.

2014 FIM Maxxis Enduro World Championship
Round one – Solsona, Spain

E1 overall results and championship standings:
1. Christophe Nambotin 40
2. Cristobal Guerrero 30
3. Anthony Boissiere 27
4. Eero Remes 26
5. Jeremy Tarroux 26

E2 overall results and championship standings:
1. Antoine Meo 37
2. Pela Renet 37
3. Johnny Aubert 32
4. Lorenzo Santolino 23
5. Alex Salvini 21

E3 overall results and championship standings:
1. Ivan Cervantes 40
2. Matthew Phillips (AUS) 32
3. Matti Seistola 27
4. Luis Correia 26
5. Mathias Bellino 25

Women’s overall results and championship standings:
1. Laia Sanz 40
2. Jane Daniels 34
3. Jessica Gardiner (AUS) 30
4. Juliette Barrez 24
5. Jemma Wilson (AUS) 21

Click here for detailed results