EnduroGP Talking Points – POLISPORT GP of Italy, Round Four
Round four of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship delivered exceptional racing in Bettola, Italy. Super tight battles, new winners and many memorable moments were enjoyed at the POLISPORT GP of Italy. Here are some of the hot topics everyone was talking about post-race…
Antoine Magain winning for Belgium
We love seeing new winners emerge in EnduroGP. CH Racing Sherco’s Antoine Magain was one notable highlight on Sunday evening when he took to the podium to collect his Enduro3 class winner’s trophy. With the five-time national champion taking his first world championship win, it marked a very rare moment in Enduro to hear the Belgian national anthem played on the world stage.
Jed Etchells on the senior podium for the first time
What a ride by Fantic Racing Team’s Jed Etchells on day one at the POLISPORT GP of Italy. The 2023 FIM Enduro Junior World Champion bagged his first senior class podium with third in Enduro2. It was great to see the young Manxman joining Andrea Verona (GASGAS) and Nathan Watson (Beta) on the box. Clearly finding his feet in his transition from junior to senior ranks, you can be sure there will be lots more to come from Jed.
Highest attended Enduro Open of 2024
The POLISPORT GP of Italy saw the largest entry of Enduro Open class riders this season with over 60 competitors taking to the track. With so many amateur and hobby riders enjoying the special tests, it added to the incredible atmosphere of the race. There were wins too for Alfie Webb (GASGAS), Riccardo Nicoli (GASGAS), Tim Louis (Sherco), Jiri Hadek (Sherco), Andrea Belotti (KTM) and Duccio Graziani (Fantic). Congrats guys!
Italian fever!
Racing in Italy is always special. You can always count on the Italian spectators to come out in force. In Bettola, the Tifosi lined every vantage point of each special test to cheer on the competitors. Naturally, the loudest cheers were heard for their national riders, but everyone was spurred on. If you’ve yet to come to an EnduroGP race, definitely put the GP of Italy on your bucket list. You won’t be disappointed!
Dominik Olszowy getting a taste for EnduroGP
Dominik Olszowy was a new face to the paddock in Bettola. More familiar in SuperEnduro and Hard Enduro, the Polish rider arrived in Italy to try his hand at EnduroGP. He didn’t disappoint either. The RIEJU Factory Racing rider enjoyed a stint in the AKRAPOVIC Super Test hot seat before finally placing eighth outright. He then went on to finish fifth both days in Enduro3. We’re looking forward to seeing him back again!
Badia takes charge of Enduro Women
Bettola saw RIEJU Factory Racing’s Mireia Badia strengthen her hold on the Enduro Women’s class with a double victory. On day one she capitalised on a mistake by rival Rachel Gutish (Sherco) to take the win. But on Sunday, it was all Badia. Excelling in the mud, she powered clear to secure a 56-second margin of victory. She now leads proceedings by 27 points. The Enduro Women category returns to action at the FORSITESERVICES GP of Wales, round six, on August 2-4.
The Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship continues with round five at the POLISPORT GP of Slovakia on July 12-14.
Words and Images by EnduroGP
