The Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship is gearing up for round two in Spain this weekend, where Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman is looking to extend his lead at the top of the series. Opening his 2023 account with a double victory at the ACERBIS GP of Italy, former EnduroGP champion Freeman will be the target everyone is chasing this weekend in Lalin.
GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona and Beta’s Steve Holcombe were closest to Freeman in Italy and will want to bridge that gap at the ACERBIS GP of Spain, while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia is eyeing up a home win. In the GALFER FIM Junior Enduro World Championship, Fantic’s Jed Etchells narrowly leads the way as the juniors arrive in Spain.
- Thrilling start to EnduroGP season set to continue at ACERBIS GP of Spain
- Brad Freeman (Beta) aims to add to his 2023 win tally
- Fantic’s Jed Etchells is hoping to extend Enduro Junior class lead
From Arma di Taggia / San Remo in Italy, the 2023 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship heads to Lalin in the northwest of Spain for the second stop of the season. With riders sure to experience contrasting conditions to the beachside special test seen in Italy, the ACERBIS GP of Spain is gearing up to be a big weekend of EnduroGP racing.
The centre of Lalin will host this weekend’s MILWAUKEE Parce Ferme where the hub of the action will be for teams and riders throughout the event. As customary, Friday night features the AKRAPOVIC Super Test to get everyone warmed up for what’s to follow on Saturday and Sunday. Getting down to business during the weekend, the POLISPORT Extreme Test, JUST1 Enduro Test, and ACERBIS Cross Test will see the fight for podium positions played out.
Hot off his double EnduroGP victory in Italy, Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman heads to Lalin on top form. Last year was a difficult, injury-hit time for the then out-going EnduroGP champ. But his performances at round one showed that he’s put those last 12 months behind him and is more than ready to fight for the title again.
In Enduro1, it’s Garcia who tops the standings over Pichon, with RedMoto Honda Racing’s Thomas Oldrati third. Verona is best of the Enduro2 contenders with Holcombe second and MacDonald third. Brad Freeman comfortably heads Enduro3 having dominated proceedings in Italy. As such, it seems Mikael Persson (Husqvarna) and Matteo Cavallo (TM Racing) are already fighting for the remainder of the podium placings.
Etchells holds Junior Enduro points lead
Proving itself one of the tightest categories at the ACERBIS GP of Italy, the GALFER Junior Enduro World Championship is fiercely contested. Fantic’s Jed Etchells got his season off to a great start by winning the opening day and placing second on day two to take an early lead in the standings. However, day two saw rookie Jeremy Sydow (Sherco) win and he’ll aim to use his confidence boost in Lalin to good effect. KTM’s Max Ahlin sits third overall.
With a double victory, Italy’s Kevin Cristino (Fantic) holds a six-point lead over Thibault Giraudon (Sherco) in Youth Enduro. However, they were hard-fought wins with Cristino narrowly beating Giraudon by just one tenth of a second on day two. Leo Joyon (Beta) sits third.
The ACERBIS GP of Spain, round two of the 2023 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship, takes place in Lalin, Spain on May 5-7.
2023 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship calendar
Round 1 – Italy – San Remo/Arma di Taggia – 31 March-2 April
Round 2 – Spain – Lalin – 5-7 May
Round 3 – Finland – Heinola – 26-28 May
Round 4 – Sweden – Skovde – 1-3 June
Round 5 – Slovakia – Gelnica – 30 June-2 July
Round 6 – Portugal – Valpacos – 29 September-1 October
Round 7 – Portugal – St Andre/Santiago do Cacem – 6-8 October
