MANGOLD FASTEST IN ROTTERDAM TRAINING

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American ace hopes for another comeback campaign in Europe

American Mike Mangold got his European comeback campaign off to a strong start in the first free training in Rotterdam on Wednesday, finishing well in front of Red Bull Air Race World Series leader Paul Bonhomme in second and American Kirby Chambliss in third.

Mangold, who came from behind to win the 2007 championship on the strength of a brilliant run in the European segment of the series, had struggled in the first three races of the 2008 season (Abu Dhabi, San Diego and Detroit) and is stuck in a disappointing third place ˜ five points behind Bonhomme.

But Mangold, who has not won a race since Budapest last year, expressed optimism after taking fourth in the last race in Detroit that the five-race European leg could help him get back in the chase. Mangold won three races in 2007 ˜ all in Europe. He also won the Rotterdam race in 2005, a victory that saw him go on to become the Red Bull Air Race World Champion that year.