Making it two from two, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia was crowned FIM Enduro1 World Champion on the final day of racing at the ACERBIS GP of France. The 2024 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship drew to a close on Sunday, with Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman claiming his first EnduroGP class win of the year. Crowned champion on Saturday, Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Max Ahlin was victorious in Enduro Junior, while Team KBS Sherco’s Rachel Gutish topped the podium for the second time in France in Enduro Women.
- Enduro1 title awarded to Josep Garcia
- Freeman on top in EnduroGP on day two
- Rachel Gutish does the double in Enduro Women
The final day of racing in the 2024 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship saw some incredible battles and memorable racing, with the final world champions of the season crowned in Brioude.
Freeman ends EnduroGP season on a high
Racing began on Sunday morning in France with the ACERBIS Cross Test, which saw hundreds of spectators gather to watch the action . With the Enduro1 title in his sights, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia made a strong start by winning the opening test. However, a fierce battle then ensued between the Spaniard and Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman as the Brit came out on top on the first MAXXIS Enduro Test.
Victorious in the opening POLISPORT Extreme Test, too, Garcia held an early lead after the first lap. Despite a slow start to the day, Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Steve Holcombe put in some solid times to work his way up to third overall behind Freeman.
The KTM star then went on to win both the ACERBIS Cross Test and the MAXXIS Enduro Test on lap two, proving why he was crowned FIM EnduroGP World Champion the day before. However, Brad Freeman was hot on Garcia’s heels all day and, after two laps, edged into the lead by just under one second, a lead he would maintain until the finish to claim his first EnduroGP win of the season.
Holcombe claimed his first test win of the day on lap three, and his consistent times awarded him a runner-up result on the final day of racing in Brioude. Lap three would prove costly for Josep Garcia, with a crash on the final test forcing the championship winner to settle for third overall on day two at the ACERBIS GP of France.
In the EnduroGP championship standings, Steve Holcombe and GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona finished the final day of racing tied on points behind Garcia. Finishing two positions higher than Verona on day two in Brioude, Holcombe was awarded second place in the championship, with the Italian rounding out the podium in third.
Verona had a solid-but-steady ride to claim fourth place in EnduroGP, with CH Racing Sherco’s Zach Pichon racing to fifth in front of his home crowd.
Rachel Gutish makes it two from two in Enduro Women
Team KBS Sherco’s Rachel Gutish had a spectacular weekend at the final round of the FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship, taking to the top step of the podium on both days in France. The American’s strong performance also secured her position as runner-up in the overall standings – not bad for her debut year in the championship.
Vilde Holt (KTM) made it a day to remember, securing her first podium result of the year to finish second. RIEJU Factory Racing’s Rosie Rowett completed the top three, her result leaving her third overall in the 2024 championship. RIEJU teammate Mireia Badia, who claimed the Enduro Women title on Saturday, was forced to settle for sixth on the final day of racing.
Fuelled by his runner-up result on Saturday, Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Steve Holcombe edged out Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia for the Enduro1 win on day two. However, it wasn’t enough to deny the newly-crowned EnduroGP champion from claiming the Enduro1 title as well, as the Spaniard’s second-placed finish awarded him the overall win by a mere six points. CH Racing Sherco’s Zach Pichon followed the duo home in third place, also securing third in the championship.
GAGSAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona comfortably topped the Enduro2 category to claim his thirteenth win of the season, and twelfth in a row. Behind the Italian was CH Racing Sherco’s Wil Ruprecht, who certainly had a standout performance at the ACERBIS GP of France. TM Boano Factory’s Leo Le Quere completed the top three on day two. In the championship standings, Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Samuele Bernardini secured second overall, with Beta Factory Racing’s Nathan Watson in third.
Crowned Enduro3 champion on Saturday, Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman dominated the category on the final day of racing in Brioude to take his 12th victory of the year. The Brit finished with a one-minute-and-23-second advantage over TM Boano Factory’s Matteo Cavallo, who secures third overall in the championship. CH Racing Sherco’s Hamish Macdonald’s third-placed result on day two allowed the Kiwi to finish as Enduro3 runner-up overall.
Max Ahlin tops Enduro Junior
After a phenomenal day one in the GALFER FIM Junior Enduro World Championship, which saw Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Max Ahlin take the overall title, the Swede topped the timesheets on the final day of racing in France. Fantic Racing Team’s Kevin Cristino followed him home in second, while Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Manolo Morettini rounded out the podium in third.
With Ahlin also crowned FIM Junior2 World Cup winner on Saturday, it was just the Junior1 title left to decide on day two at the ACERBIS GP of France. Just four points separated the top three heading into the final day of the season, and an impressive performance from Cristino moved the young Italian from third to first to secure the overall victory.
Pietro Scardina impresses in Enduro Youth
Carrying the momentum from his day one victory at the ACERBIS GP of France, Fantic Racing Junior Team’s Pietro Scardina claimed seven out of a possible nine test wins to top the Enduro Youth timesheets by nearly one minute. Romain Dagna (Sherco) took the second spot on the podium, followed by JET Husqvarna Zanardo’s Luca Colorio.
Brad Freeman (Beta): “I’m really happy to finally get the win in EnduroGP today, I’ve been searching for it all year. It’s definitely been a long time coming. It was a tough day for sure, everyone was pushing hard but I’m so happy to get the overall win.”
Steve Holcombe (Honda): “Today was pretty tough, but I’m happy to finish the season with a podium in EnduroGP and a win in Enduro1. To be in the fight this year with a new bike and new team is all I wanted, so it’s definitely been a good season.”
Josep Garcia (KTM): “To get both crowns this year has been incredible! I’ve given 100 percent at every single race, and it has all paid off. I have won at least one day at every GP this year, and now I can’t wait to celebrate!”
Rachel Gutish (Sherco): “This was definitely one of the most challenging races I’ve ever done, but I think it might be my favourite one of them all! France is such a beautiful place to ride, and I couldn’t be happier to have won both days here.”
Max Ahlin (KTM): “It’s so good to win today, and it was definitely more relaxing with the Junior title wrapped up yesterday! I found some speed in the cross test, and I’m super happy to leave this weekend with the win today and the title.”
Results: Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship, Round 7 – Day 2
EnduroGP
1. Brad Freeman (Beta) 1:00:48.58; 2. Steve Holcombe (Honda) 1:01:01.11; 3. Josep Garcia (KTM) 1:01:08.18; 4. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 1:01:38.49; 5. Zach Pichon (Sherco) 1:01:53.82; 6. Matteo Cavallo (TM) 1:02:12.50; 7. Wil Ruprecht (Sherco) 1:02:22.89; 8. Theo Espinasse (Beta) 1:02:27.41; 9. Hamish Macdonald (Sherco) 1:02:27.81; 10. Antoine Magain (Sherco) 1:02:35.08…
Championship Standings (After Round 7)
EnduroGP
1. Josep Garcia (KTM) 247pts; 2. Steve Holcombe (Honda) 223pts; 3. Andrea Verona (GAGSAS) 223pts; 4. Brad Freeman (Beta) 180pts; 5. Nathan Watson (Beta) 129pts; 6. Zach Pichon (Sherco) 114pts; 7. Hamish Macdonald (Sherco) 100pts; 8. Samuele Bernardini (Honda) 99pts; 9. Matteo Cavallo (TM) 78pts; 10. Wil Ruprecht (Sherco) 62pts…
