Day two of racing at the 2023 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship opener in Italy saw Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman once again rise to the top to secure his second EnduroGP class win of the weekend. The 2021 EnduroGP World Champion has shown that he’s back to his absolute best for this season, claiming the top step of the podium at what was a memorable ACERBIS GP of Italy. Mirroring yesterday’s results, GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona and Beta Factory Racing’s Steve Holcombe finished second and third respectively.
After a daylong fight for victory, Jeremy Sydow (Sherco) emerged on top in the GALFER FIM Enduro Junior World Championship class, while Kevin Cristino (Fantic) narrowly topped the Enduro Youth class. Ensuring a perfect start to the defence of her Magnorange FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship title, Jane Daniels (Fantic) also took her second victory of the weekend at the ACERBIS GP of Italy.
- Brad Freeman (Beta) claims double EnduroGP victory in Italy
- Jeremy Sydow (Sherco) secures debut Enduro Junior victory on day two
- Jane Daniels (Fantic) enjoys perfect weekend with two Women’s Enduro class wins
Building on a thrilling start to the 2023 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship with close daylong racing on Saturday in Arma di Taggia/San Remo, the action lifted to an even higher level on day two. Despite rougher conditions on all of the special tests, times were incredibly tight across the majority of the classes.
At the head of the field, Beta’s Brad Freeman was out to underline his dominant day one victory. With his former EnduroGP championship winning speed returned, Freeman blitzed his rivals on the opening JUST1 Enduro Test by an astonishing 13 seconds to lead on lap one of four.
Despite Steve Holcombe (Beta) winning the following POLISPORT Extreme Test, Freeman began lap two with the fastest time in the ACERBIS Cross Test and JUST1 Enduro Test to extend his lead out to 20 seconds. Controlling proceedings during the second half of the day, Freeman maintained a comfortable advantage to collect his second EnduroGP victory of the weekend and with it, move into an early lead in the championship.
As was the case on Saturday, both Verona and Holcombe fought it out for the final two places on the EnduroGP podium, but today they also had Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia for company. Determined to give his best on home soil, Verona claimed four test wins to finally grab second. Holding off a late final lap charge by Garcia – who won the final JUST1 Enduro Test – Holcombe made it home for third overall.
Giving his all, but falling just three second shy of the podium, Garcia had to be content with fourth overall, while CH Racing Sherco’s Hamish MacDonald completed the top five for the second day running.
Tight battles in Women’s Enduro class
The Magnorange FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship was once again won by Jane Daniels (Fantic). Fast from the off, Daniels was challenged all the way by Mireia Badia (Rieju) and Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha) with both riders managing to grab a couple of special test wins over Daniels to keep the pressure on. Behind the top three, Francesca Nocera (Honda) and Rosie Rowett (Rieju) finished fourth and fifth respectively.
While naturally disappointed to miss the EnduroGP podium, Josep Garcia was still pleased with a win in Enduro1. In fact, the KTM rider won all of the day’s tests in the Enduro1 class to take a commanding one minute and 37 second margin of victory. Putting on a good show on home soil, RedMoto Honda Racing’s Thomas Oldrati placed second, with Beta Oxmoto’s Theo Espinasse third.
In the Enduro2 class, Andrea Verona went two-for-two in Italy. However, one thing is clear, Verona likely won’t have an easy time of things this season with Steve Holcombe once again pushing him all the way. The former EnduroGP champion was looking smooth and fast in Italy and will now be aiming to get the better of Verona at round two. Hamish MacDonald completed the top three but has a little work to do to bridge the gap to the leading duo.
Clear out front, Brad Freeman also powered his way to victory in the Enduro3 class with a clean sweep of special test wins. Sweden’s Mikael Persson (Husqvarna) was next best in second, with Antoine Magain (Sherco) third.
Debut Enduro Junior win for Jeremy Sydow
Proving as competitive as ever, the GALFER Enduro Junior World Championship dished up some close racing. Today it was the turn of Jeremy Sydow (Sherco) to make his mark with the German claiming a debut victory. Winner on day one, Fantic’s Jed Etchells was just five seconds behind as runner-up. Max Ahlin (KTM) ended his day in third.
The racing was as tight as it gets in Enduro Youth with Kevin Cristino (Fantic) claiming victory by the narrowest of margins. Split by next to nothing, the Italian won the class by an incredible one tenth of a second after 70 minutes of timed special test racing. Coming up agonisingly short on victory, despite topping the final test by one second, Thibault Giraudon (Sherco) placed as runner-up to Cristino. Beta’s Leo Joyon took third.
The 2023 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship continues with round two in Lalin, Spain on May 5-7.
Brad Freeman (Beta): “The day started off great. I went for it on the first enduro test and put in a fast time to build a lead. I lost a bit of my rhythm in the middle part of the day but was able to control things and regroup for a final push on the last lap, despite a crash on the last enduro test. It was hard to judge conditions at times and I think that’s why I crashed. But a double win is a perfect start to the season!”
Andrea Verona (GASGAS): “Overall, I’m happy with my weekend and first race in the Enduro2 class. So twice finishing second in EnduroGP and a double win in Enduro2 is a very strong start to the year. The racing is tight out there, Brad was fast this weekend and Steve was pushing hard too. But now we’re up and running I’m pleased with things. As a home round it was exciting and stressful in many ways, but having the crowd behind you in each test was wonderful.”
Steve Holcombe (Beta): “I honestly didn’t expect to podium both days, so it’s been an awesome result. I kept things as smooth as I could. In the last couple of years, I injured myself at round one, so I didn’t want to do that this year and ruin my season. San Remo has been tough riding, but it’s been good for my confidence, and I’ve really enjoyed these battles.”
Jeremy Sydow (Sherco): “To win here was way better than I expected. It’s my first season in EnduroGP so I didn’t know where I would fit in. My background is in motocross, so I’ve a lot to learn in enduro, but it’s exciting and so crazy to take a win.”
Jane Daniels (Fantic): “It was a tough day and I had to dig deep in each test. The battle for the victory was tight between myself, Jessica and Mireia, so I’m pleased to have won.”
Results – ACERBIS GP of Italy, Day 2
EnduroGP
1. Brad Freeman (Beta) 1:05:23.86; 2. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 1:05:40.05; 3. Steve Holcombe (Beta) 1:05:49.16; 4. Josep Garcia (KTM) 1:05.52.80; 5. Hamish MacDonald (Sherco) 1:06:42.54; 6. Nathan Watson (Honda) 1:07:05.28; 7. Mikael Persson (Husqvarna) 1:07:14.22; 8. Thomas Oldrati (Honda) 1:07:30.11; 9. Theo Espinasse (Beta) 1:07:46.48; 10. Antoine Magain (Sherco) 1:07:52.17…
For the full results >>Click Here<<
