The final day of racing in the 2022 WPTGlobal FIM EnduroGP World Championship saw the year’s final world champions crowned in Zschopau, Germany today. Bringing the series to thrilling end, the all-important closing round of the season saw Wil Ruprecht (TM Racing), Brad Freeman (Beta) and Harry Edmondson (Fantic) join Andrea Verona (GASGAS), Zach Pichon (Sherco) and Jane Daniels (Fantic) as the 2022 FIM Enduro World Champions.
Zach Pichon also added the Junior1 World Cup title to his overall Enduro Junior title, while Luc Fargier (Beta) topped the Junior2 Enduro World Cup series. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia made it two-for-two in Germany by claiming the overall EnduroGP victory on day two in Zschopau.
- TM mounted Australian Wil Ruprecht claims coveted Enduro2 title
- Brad Freeman lifts Enduro3 World Championship crown for Beta
- KTM’s Josep Garcia claims overall EnduroGP class win on day two
After seven long, tough, and varied rounds, the 2022 WPTGlobal FIM EnduroGP World Championship drew to an exciting close in Zschopau, Germany. With GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona clinching the overall EnduroGP title on Saturday, together with Jane Daniels (Fantic) who won the Magnorange FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship with one day to go, the focus of attention on the final day of the series was most definitely on who would be crowned Enduro2 and Enduro3 champions.
Garcia Does The Double In EnduroGP
Ending the day at the top of the overall time sheets, Josep Garcia (KTM) was a man on a mission. Determined to keep his Enduro2 title hopes alive, he was pushing hard. Overcoming a big mistake on the opening POLISPORT Extreme Test, the Spaniard won the following JUST1 Enduro Test and ACERBIS Cross Test to work his way back into contention. By the end of the second JUST1 Enduro Test the Spaniard had taken the overall lead and by topping another four tests he went on to claim the EnduroGP class win.
With the battle for the Enduro3 title also heating up, Brad Freeman was enjoying one of his strongest days at the office for some time. The British rider held the lead midway through the day, eventually placing second behind Garcia. Newly crowned EnduroGP champion Verona edged out Honda Racing RedMoto’s Nathan Watson by fourth tenths of a second for third.
Verona Signs Off Incredible 2022 Season With Yet Another Enduro1 Win
Signing off on a sensational 2022 campaign, Verona added yet another Enduro1 victory to his tally. Taking 13 race wins from a possible 14, the Italian is the undisputed Enduro1 World Champion. Thomas Oldrati (Honda) was once again second, with Fantic’s Loic Larrieu putting in one of his best rides of the season for third.
In the Enduro2 category all eyes were on Ruprecht and Garcia to see who would lift the title. Fourth on the day and clearly opting to keep himself out of trouble and not push too hard and risk crashing, Australian Ruprecht did enough to secure his first FIM Enduro2 World Championship title. Giving it his all, Garcia topped the final day of the season, ending his Enduro2 campaign as runner-up.
Another World Title For Freeman
After levelling the scores on Saturday, Brad Freeman arrived at the final day of racing tied on points with Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Mikael Persson in the Enduro3 class. All to play for, both riders hit the ground running this morning. Freeman opened his account with the POLISPORT Extreme Test win, before Persson answered back by winning the ACERBIS Cross Test and JUST1 Enduro Test.
After six of the day’s 11 tests the two were separated by only seven seconds, in Freeman’s favour. Keeping the pressure on, Freeman managed to extend his lead to win the day and with it claim the Enduro3 World Championship.
Signing off on a highly successful Enduro Junior career, Team Sherco CH Racing’s Zach Pichon took his 11th victory of the season. Having already clinched the Junior title at round six, Pichon also won the Junior1 World Cup. Roni Kytonen (Honda) and Albin Norrbin (Fantic) joined him on the Junior podium in second and third. Finishing fourth saw Luc Fargier (Beta) also secure the Junior2 World Cup championship.
Edmondson Crowned Enduro Youth Champ
Coming down to the wire, the Enduro Youth World Championship was won by Fantic’s Harry Edmondson. The young British rider held a 14-point advantage heading into the final day of racing but was facing strong competition from teammate Kevin Cristino. After five tests Cristino held the lead over Edmondson with Samuli Puhakainen (TM Racing) and Thibault Giraudon (Sherco) not too far behind. Giraudon went on to win the day over Cristino and Puhakainen. Fourth was enough for Edmondson to secure his debut world title.
With the Magnorange FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship already wrapped up, Fantic’s Jane Daniels set about securing herself a perfect season. Flawless all day, Daniels won every special test to claim victory and remain undefeated in 2022. Rieju’s Mireia Badia was second, with Rosie Rowett (KTM) third.
Brad Freeman (Beta): “After pulling level on points yesterday for the Enduro3 title it was all or nothing today for the title. Mikael (Persson) came out swinging, so the battle was on straight away. We both wanted it, for sure. It’s been a hard year, probably one of the hardest I’ve had battling through injuries. To end it with my eighth world title is amazing.’
Wil Ruprecht (TM Racing): “To win my first world title has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid. But they don’t come easy. It’s been a good year, with great results and some tough days, so finally lock it down is incredible.”
Josep Garcia (KTM): “My aim was to fight for the win on both days and hope that maybe luck falls my way for the Enduro2 title. I managed to win each day, but unfortunately the championship wasn’t to be. I feel like I put in a great year but getting injured in Italy put both the EnduroGP and Enduro2 championships out of my reach. I’m happy to have gone out on a high though with two wins here in Germany.”
Results: Round 7: GP of Germany, Day 2
EnduroGP
1. Josep Garcia (KTM) 1:03:46.07; 2. Brad Freeman (Beta) 1:04:01.88; 3. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 1:04:29.55; 4. Nathan Watson (Honda) 1:04:29.94; 5. Mikael Persson (Husqvarna) 1:04:41.73; 6. Steve Holcombe (Beta) 1:04:45.71; 7. Thomas Oldrati (Honda) 1:05:53.70; 8. Daniel McCanney (Sherco) 1:06:14.92; 9. Daniel Milner (Fantic) 1:06:16.95; 10. Leo Le Quere (Sherco) 1:06:24.80…
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2022 FIM Enduro World Champions
EnduroGP: Andrea Verona (GASGAS)
Enduro1: Andrea Verona (GASGAS)
Enduro2: Wil Ruprecht (TM Racing)
Enduro3: Brad Freeman (Beta)
Enduro Junior: Zach Pichon (Sherco)
Enduro Youth: Harry Edmondson (Fantic)
Enduro Women: Jane Daniels (Fantic)
Junior1 World Cup: Zach Pichon (Sherco)
Junior2 World Cup: Luc Fargier (Beta)
