Claiming the overall championship victory for the first time in his career, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia has secured the 2024 FIM EnduroGP World Championship title at the ACERBIS GP of France. The penultimate day of racing of the 2024 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship saw three other world champions crowned, with Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman claiming his tenth title as Enduro3 victor, Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Max Ahlin topping the Enduro Junior category and RIEJU Factory Racing’s Mireia Badia awarded her first world title in Enduro Women.
- Garcia victorious on Saturday to wrap up EnduroGP title
- Four 2024 world champions crowned on day one in France
- Mireia Badia claims Enduro Women world title
Following Friday night’s AKRAPOVIC Super Test, which saw CH Racing Sherco’s Zach Pichon top the timesheets in front of his home crowd, riders took to the start line early on Saturday morning for the first full day of racing at the final round of the 2024 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship in France.
Garcia takes no prisoners in EnduroGP
Kicking off with the ACERBIS Cross Test, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia made his intentions clear from the start as he claimed his first test win of the day by nearly four seconds. However, Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Steve Holcombe was on the attack and went fastest on the morning’s first MAXXIS Enduro Test.
Back on top in the POLISPORT Extreme Test to round out lap one, Garcia had opened up an early lead, with Holcombe hot on his heels just four tenths of a second behind. The duo were already proving untouchable, with GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona a further 15 seconds down after one lap.
On lap two, Garcia didn’t falter. Topping the timesheets in all three tests, the Spaniard put in some incredible times to extend his lead to nine seconds by the end of the lap. Friday evening’s home hero CH Racing Sherco’s Zach Pichon had a superb ride in the MAXXIS Enduro Test to post the second-fastest time.
The third and final lap of the day saw some incredibly close racing. Garcia narrowly won the ACERBIS Cross Test, with Holcombe less than a second behind. A renewed attack from Verona on the final POLISPORT Extreme Test saw the Italian claim his only test win of the day, three seconds clear of Holcombe.
Winning all but two tests, Garcia finished day one at the ACERBIS GP of France as the overall winner and 2024 FIM EnduroGP World Champion. After taking the fight to Garcia all day, Holcombe came home as second-fastest. Despite hoping to deny Garcia the victory, Verona was forced to settle for third overall.
Unable to break into the top three on day one, Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman put in a solid ride for fourth overall in EnduroGP. Equalling his best result of the year so far, CH Racing Sherco’s Zach Pichon claimed fifth overall, spurred on by an incredibly passionate home crowd.
Enduro Women title awarded to Mireia Badia
On the penultimate day of racing of the 2024 season, RIEJU Factory Racing’s Mireia Badia has been crowned 2024 FIM Women’s Enduro World Champion. Mireia’s runner-up result on Saturday proved sufficient to secure the Spaniard’s debut world title.
The Enduro Women category saw an intense battle between Team KBS Sherco’s Rachel Gutish and championship leader Badia, with the American ultimately coming out on top on day one in France. Despite lying in second place after the first two laps, RIEJU Factory Racing’s Rosie Rowett lost some precious time on the final MAXXIS Enduro Test which saw her finish third overall.
With the EnduroGP overall win secured, Josep Garcia also sailed to victory in Enduro1, extending his lead in the standings to nine points. Steve Holcombe’s hopes of securing the Enduro1 world title are not over yet, though, as the Brit finished second on day one. It’s all to play for on Sunday. Zach Pichon followed Holcombe home in third.
In Enduro2 it was Andrea Verona who topped the category for the twelfth time in 2024, with the title already wrapped up at round six. Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Samuele Bernardini claimed second place, with CH Racing Sherco’s Wil Ruprecht in third. Beta Factory Racing’s Nathan Watson was on track for a podium finish on day one, but a crash on the final test forced the Brit to retire.
Brad Freeman made it a day to remember, receiving his 10th world title in 10 years to be crowned 2024 FIM Enduro3 World Champion. The Brit raced to a 36-second margin of victory over CH Racing Sherco’s Hamish Macdonald. Antoine Magain (Sherco) completed the top three, securing an impressive podium result.
Max Ahlin claims debut world title in Enduro Junior
After a dominant year in the GALFER FIM Junior Enduro World Championship, Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Max Ahlin was crowned world champion for the first time on Saturday. Despite finishing second overall on the first full day of racing in France, the young Swede’s efforts were enough to secure the world title after an impressive year in the category.
The day one win was awarded to Sherco Academy France’s Thibault Giraudon after a series of consistent top-two test results, much to the delight of the French crowds. Giraudon managed to hold off Max Ahlin, with less than three seconds separating the two at the end of the day. Team Beta Oxmoto’s Leo Joyon rounded out the Enduro Junior podium in third place on home soil.
Pietro Scardina tops Enduro Youth
With the Enduro Youth world title awarded to Manuel Verzeroli (KTM) at round six, it was all to play for at the ACERBIS GP of France. Claiming an impressive seven test wins on day one, Fantic Racing Junior Team’s Pietro Scardina topped the timesheets in Enduro Youth to claim his first overall win of the season.
Taking the second spot on the podium was France’s Gabin Allemand (KTM), one minute and 20 seconds down on Scardina. Alex Puey (Beta) rounded out the top three.
Josep Garcia (KTM): “This is a dream come true! I’ve been fighting for the EnduroGP win for the past two years, so this moment is just unforgettable. I’ve achieved my dream, and to do it on day one is even better.”
Steve Holcombe (Honda): “Today was good! We were all pushing so hard, and it’s easy to make mistakes, which I did today. I’m happy to have finished second in EnduroGP and Enduro1. It’s not over until it’s over, though!”
Andrea Verona (GASGAS): “Day one here in France was quite good. I had some really fast tests and I’m happy with third overall and first in Enduro2. I’ll be going full gas into the last day of the championship tomorrow!”
Brad Freeman (Beta): “I’m really happy to get my tenth world title! It’s been a tough year, a tough day in EnduroGP but I’ve got the job done in Enduro3. It’s been ten years since I got my first GP win here in Brioude, so this is extra special.”
Mireia Badia (RIEJU): “Wow, this is a dream come true for sure! I never imagined that I could achieve this. I’m so happy with how this season has gone, I’ve won days and had plenty of podiums. I couldn’t have asked for more!”
Max Ahlin (KTM): “This feels so good, I’m really overwhelmed! I was nervous heading into today but I managed to focus and my last lap was really good. It felt like the longest day of my life! It’s a dream way to end this season.”
Results: Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship, Round 7 – Day 1
EnduroGP
1. Josep Garcia (KTM) 1:02:32.06; 2. Steve Holcombe (Honda) 1:02:44.46; 3. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 1:03:16.49; 4. Brad Freeman (Beta) 1:03:44.67; 5. Zach Pichon (Sherco) 1:03:47.50; 6. Theo Espinasse (Beta) 1:04:17.60; 7. Hamish Macdonald (Sherco) 1:04:22.99; 8. Samuele Bernardini (Honda) 1:04:28.51; 9. Wil Ruprecht (Sherco) 1:04:30.46; 10. Antoine Magain (Sherco) 1:05:04.58…
Race Report and Images by EnduroGP
