The AKRAPOVIC Super Test has fired the opening round of the 2024 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship into life with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia taking the win. The Spaniard was fastest, with CH Racing Sherco’s Zach Pichon second and Julien Roussaly (Sherco) third.
- 2024 EnduroGP season gets underway in Fafe, Portugal
- Josep Garcia tops AKRAPOVIC Super Test
- Zach Pichon and Julien Roussaly complete the top three
The opening AKRAPOVIC Super Test of the 2024 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship saw competitors get down to racing in front of a full house of spectators in Fafe, Portugal.
As the evening progressed, rider after rider filtered through, determined to leave their mark on the night’s proceedings. The last man to take to the start line, Josep Garcia rose to the challenge and set a time no one could match. Comfortably topping the time sheets, he won the first AKRAPOVIC Super Test award of 2024. Delighted with his efforts, he was awarded the winner’s trophy by FIM President Jorge Viegas.
Despite holding a virtual grasp on the win until the final moments of the evening, Zach Pichon was forced to settle for second. An impressive ride by Julien Roussaly saw him edge out Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman for third.
However, for some of the leading riders, mistakes proved costly. Despite running close to Garcia, a crash by EnduroGP champion Steve Holcombe saw him lose almost nine seconds to his rival on his Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team machine. GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona also made some errors and will look to regain those four seconds lost to Garcia tomorrow.
In the GALFER FIM Junior Enduro World Championship, it was France’s Antoine Alix (Beta) who topped the AKRAPOVIC Super Test time sheets in Fafe. The French rider was blisteringly fast around the course. Sweden’s Max Ahlin (KTM) was just three tenths of a second behind Alix in second. The duo were over one second quicker than Matej Skuta (Beta) in third.
Despite it being her EnduroGP debut, Rachel Gutish (Sherco) immediately made her presence felt by taking an early lead in the Enduro Women’s category. Placing two seconds behind her was Francesca Nocera (Honda) in second. Rosie Rowett (RIEJU) ended her night one tenth of a second behind Nocera in third.
The Enduro Youth class saw a closely fought AKRAPOVIC Super Test in Fafe. Romain Dagna (Sherco) took a narrow margin of victory. Incredibly, Aleix Saumell (Yamaha) and Alex Puey (Beta) tied on time for second. Luca Colorio (Husqvarna) slotted into third.
With the AKRAPOVIC Super Test complete, the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship now looks forward to two exciting days of racing in Fafe, Portugal for the opening round of the 2024 season.
Josep Garcia (KTM): “It’s great to start off the 2024 season with a win in the AKRAPOVIC Super Test. I felt good on the bike and didn’t make any mistakes. The track was fun and there was a lot of people out to support us, so it was very cool. Hopefully I can keep this momentum rolling tomorrow!”
