Round five of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship was a hot one at the POLISPORT GP of Slovakia. Intense heat, challenging special tests and a great atmosphere made for a memorable weekend’s racing in Gelnica. Here are some of the hot topics everyone was talking about post-race…
MAXXIS Enduro Test of the year? A definite contender!
The POLISPORT GP of Slovakia is a strong contender for the MAXXIS Enduro Test of the year. At six kilometres long, it had everything a true enduro test demands. Long, technical and predominately forest-based, it wove its way through the forest trails, requiring riders to bring their A-Game to the start line each time. Rewarding those that could balance speed, precision and technique, it was where the majority of the weekend’s results were won and lost.
Tied for time!
Friday’s AKRAPOVIC Super Test was exciting. The high-speed course delivered super tight racing. This was most evident in the EnduroGP category. Going head-to-head, Beta Factory Racing’s Nathan Watson and CH Racing Sherco’s Zach Pichon fought it out, setting the exact same time. The time was provisionally fast enough to tie them for the overall lead with four riders remaining. However, Watson’s teammate Brad Freeman beat the duo by two hundredths of a second to deny them a historic outcome.
Ice, ice, baby!
With temperatures up in the mid-30s from early morning, riders were feeling the heat in Gelnica. Hydration was key, along with staying cool as much as possible. Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Steve Holcombe wore ice packs at the end of special tests and service checks to help regulate his temperature. With an Enduro1 class win on Saturday, it worked for the Brit.
Tassie Talent
A late addition to the championship at the POLISPORT GP of Italy, Johansson MPE’s Kyron Bacon certainly stamped his authority on Enduro Junior this time around in Slovakia. Securing a debut Enduro Junior victory on day one, he backed it up with another win on day two. Unfortunately, Kyron won’t make any more rounds of the championship in 2024 as he’s already committed to racing at home in Australia. From Tasmania, and neighbour to four-time champ Matt Phillips, it would be awesome to see this young Tassie talent return full-time in 2025.
Thunder and lightning
The weather in Gelnica was hot, hot, hot. Thankfully we managed to almost escape the entirety of the weekend without rain. Only the podium celebrations on Sunday afternoon got caught short, and unfortunately the Enduro3 and Enduro Youth riders got a soaking. Shortly afterwards a gigantic thunder storm swept through the region, which everyone was glad not to be racing in!
Team KBS riders charging hard
Although not a home Grand Prix, Czech Republic riders Matej Skuta and Krystof Kouble had plenty of support make the short trip to Gelnica to cheer them on. And it was showing in the results. Skuta was fast from the off and put his KBS Team Beta on top of the Enduro Junior classification in the AKRAPOVIC Super Test. He would race hard for fourth both days, just missing the podium by two seconds on day one. However, he did claim second both days in Enduro2. His best performance of the season moves him up to third in the Junior2 standings.
Party vibes
With this weekend’s POLISPORT GP of Slovakia marking the third time Gelnica acted as host city, event organisers had the special test logistics seamless. Both the POLISPORT Extreme Test and ACERBIS Cross Test were located in the same area. Spectators could watch all riders complete the ACERBIS Cross Test before taking a two-minute walk into the forest to watch the POLISPORT Extreme Test action unfold. With trade stands and catering on hand, it was the perfect way to make a day of it.
Elgari exits day two with injury
The Enduro Youth category was dealt a shocker early on Sunday morning when title contender TM MOTO’s Alberto Elgari retired on the opening ACERBIS Cross Test. After starting strong, moments later he exited the wooded section holding his leg in pain. Taking time with his team to assess the injury, he bravely tried to continue on, only to stop a few corners later. Elgari’s exit sees Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Manuel Verzeroli head to the penultimate round in Wales with a 43-point championship lead over Sherco’s Romain Dagna, who inherited second. We might just witness Verzeroli crowned the first FIM Enduro World Champion of 2024 in Wales if everything goes his way.
Team Green vibes
It’s always great to see new names and faces in the paddock. For Team Green fans, it’s brilliant to see Kawasaki present for 2024. The Italian-based outfit is fielding two riders this season with Davide Soreca in Enduro1 and Herman Ask in Enduro Junior. Let’s hope this programme expands in the years to come.
The Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship continues with the penultimate round of the 2024 season at the FORSITESERVICES GP of Wales on August 2-4.
Words and Images by EnduroGP
