Kicking off the action at the ACERBIS GP of France, Zach Pichon claimed an impressive victory in front of a home crowd at the final AKRAPOVIC Super Test of the year. The town of Brioude was buzzing, with fans gathering by the hundreds for the last round of the 2024 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship. Finishing third on the night, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia secured the overall victory in the 2024 AKRAPOVIC Super Test series.
- ACERBIS GP of France gets underway with AKRAPOVIC Super Test
- Zach Pichon tops the timesheets in front of home crowd
- Josep Garcia claims overall 2024 AKRAPOVIC Super Test series victory
Making a welcome return to the EnduroGP calendar, the ACERBIS GP of France is a favourite among riders and spectators alike. With spirited French fans gathered in their masses for Friday evening’s AKRAPOVIC Super Test, riders tackled the grassy course littered with technical obstacles and rock gardens.
In front of a passionate home crowd, CH Racing Sherco’s Zach Pichon put down a sensational time to knock teammate Hamish Macdonald from the top spot and take his place in the hot seat.
With just a few riders left to go, Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Steve Holcombe came close to matching Pichon’s time but would finish as a close runner-up.
As one of the final two riders to take to the start, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia had his sights set on the victory in Brioude. Despite settling for third place on the night, the Spaniard’s performance was enough to earn him the overall victory in the 2024 AKRAPOVIC Super Test series.
Hamish Macdonald took fourth on the French course, with Husqvarna’s Krystof Kouble completing the top five in EnduroGP.
It went down to the wire in Enduro Women, with Norway’s Vilde Holt (KTM) claiming an advantage of two tenths of a second over Team KBS Sherco’s Rachel Gutish. RIEJU Factory Racing’s Rosie Rowett put in a strong lap to finish third. Rowett’s teammate and championship leader Mireia Badia clocked the sixth-fastest time, putting her on the back foot going into the first full day of racing tomorrow.
The GALFER FIM Junior Enduro World Championship saw Sherco’s Thibault Giraudon set the fastest time in front of his home crowd. Behind Giraudon, Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Max Ahlin went second-fastest. The Swede has a commanding 36-point lead heading into the final two days of racing. Team Beta Oxmoto’s Leo Joyon rounded out the top three.
Taking his second AKRAPOVIC Super Test win in a row, Beta’s Alex Puey not only topped the timesheets in Enduro Youth, but also kept the overall hot seat warm for nearly two hours until he was ousted by Hamish Macdonald. France’s Romain Dagna (Sherco) came home in second, with countryman Clement Clauzier (Beta) in third.
Zach Pichon: “That was such a fun lap! I had a really good rhythm in the rocks, which I think helped me the most. To win on home soil has been my main goal all year, especially after the last few races, so I’m really happy. I could hear the crowd cheering for me the whole way around the lap which was amazing! The Super Tests have been a strength for me all season. I want to be fighting with the top guys this weekend and I feel even more confident now.”
