BMW on the Charge in FranceBMW Motorrad Motorsport's Enduro 2 class rider Simo Kirssi once again demonstrated his ability in the World Enduro Championship this weekend. Competing in a French WEC event for the first time, the Finn overcame a slow start to finish comfortably inside the top ten on day one of the E2 class, before claiming an impressive fifth place finish on day two. Simo's results lift him to eighth in the WEC standings, with two rounds remaining. In complete contrast to the wet and slippery conditions at the Welsh GP a week ago, the sixth round of the 2008 WEC series held in Uzerche was dry and extremely hot. What was expected to be a relatively simple event quickly turned into a tough race as the hot weather, mixed with three demanding special tests per lap, delivered an extremely challenging contest. Despite some impressive performances on each of the event's extreme, enduro and motocross special tests, a slow start to day one cost Simo dearly. Losing a considerable amount of time during three of the first four timed special tests, the Finn was forced to play catch-up.  Due to fierce competition at the sharp end of the E2 class he was unable to place higher than eighth. However, he did finish fourth in class on two of the day's tests - results that prove the BMW Motorrad Motorsport rider can cut it with the class leaders. Making sure he didn't start day two with the same hesitance he had displayed on day one, Simo kept in contention with the E2 class front runners and never placed lower than tenth in any of the day's special tests. Consistently setting some of the fastest extreme test times, as well as performing admirably on the fast enduro and motocross tests, Simo never gave up on his hopes of finishing fourth, but wasn't quite able to finish ahead of Frenchman Rodrig Thain. Claiming fifth place on day two, Simo achieved his second best result of the 2008 season. In the Enduro 3 class, seven-time world champion Anders Eriksson had an uneventful weekend, finishing both days without problems and enjoying the tough conditions at the French GP. Finishing inside the top ten on both days, Anders, like Simo, performed particularly well on the extreme tests, climbing to ninth in class at the end of day two. The 2008 World Enduro Championship now takes a two-month break before round seven in Italy in late September.