It’s crunch time for competitors in the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship as the seventh and final two-day event of the season takes place in Portugal this coming weekend. After six demanding action-packed races, it’s all or nothing now as the championship readies itself to crown the 2024 world champions. With all titles set to be decided, this weekend is certain to be a showstopper!
- 2023 EnduroGP season set to conclude in Portugal this weekend
- Britain’s Steve Holcombe (Beta) is bidding for EnduroGP glory
- Jane Daniels (Fantic) leads the way in Women’s Enduro class
From the Italian opener in March through rounds in Spain, Finland, Sweden, and Slovakia, to last weekend’s penultimate event in the north of Portugal, it’s finally time to crown the year’s FIM EnduroGP World Champions as the series remains in Portugal for the final event of 2023.
An important weekend of racing for all, the towns of Santo Andre and Santiago do Cacem in southern Portugal will play host to the seventh and final round of the season. With so much at stake, the event will feature two enduro tests – the JUST1 Enduro Test and the CrossPro Enduro Test – along with the ACERBIS Cross Test and Polisport Extreme Test each day.
AKRAPOVIC Super Test series yet to be decided
The AKRAPOVIC Super Test will get racing underway on Friday evening. At the head of the Super Test standings it’s Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman who looks all but guaranteed of wrapping things up.
The Brit holds an 18-point lead over Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia with just 20 points up for grabs. With Freeman’s teammate Steve Holcombe now 25 points behind him in third, only Garcia can stop Freeman from taking the AKRAPOVIC Super Test award.
Holcombe in EnduroGP driving seat
In the battle for EnduroGP honours it’s Beta Factory Racing’s Steve Holcombe who sits in the driving seat. The Brit has put together an incredible season so far, claiming 12 podium results from 12 starts, including two victories, to build a 19-point lead entering the final round of the year. The seven-time champ last held the EnduroGP title in 2020 and would be a welcome winner if he lifts the championship again this weekend.
As the defending EnduroGP champ, GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona will be giving it everything he has to stop Steve winning. The Italian has really come on strong during the second half of the season following his switch to 350cc machinery at the beginning of the year. Every bit as fast as Holcombe at last weekend’s GP of Portugal, how much his fall on the penultimate special test will impact his speed and consequently his title hopes this coming weekend only time will tell.
Full of confidence following his double win last weekend at round six, Josep Garcia (KTM) is certain to make things exciting. The Spaniard was able to hold off attacks from both Holcombe and Verona to win on both days in Valpacos and with a chance of finishing as runner-up in the EnduroGP title hunt, you can be sure Garcia will be firing on all cylinders.
After battling through last weekend, Brad Freeman still holds a mathematical chance of taking the EnduroGP title, although now 34 points behind Holcombe. But Freeman is a fighter and with just eight points between Garcia and himself, a championship medal is still possible.
Completing the top five is CH Racing Sherco’s Hamish MacDonald. The New Zealander is in a comfortable position, so he will be able to push hard for a strong result to finish out his year. With just six points separating Theo Espinasse (Beta), RedMoto Honda’s Nathan Watson and Zach Pichon (Sherco) the battle for sixth will be a close one.
Garcia, Holcombe, and Freeman head Enduro1, Enduro2, and Enduro3
In the individual senior classes, it’s Josep Garcia who looks favourite to come out on top in Enduro1. The remainder of the podium positions are up for grabs between Theo Espinasse, Zach Pichon and Fast Eddy Racing’s Jamie McCanney.
At the top of the Enduro2 standings Steve Holcombe holds an 18-point lead over Andrea Verona. The pair are 44 points clear of Hamish MacDonald in third meaning the Enduro2 title will go to either Holcombe or Verona. If Holcombe wins both the EnduroGP and Enduro2 titles he will become a nine-time World Champion!
Putting in a solid recovery effort last weekend, Brad Freeman has strengthened his grasp on the Enduro3 points lead to nine. After an injury hit round five, the Brit will look to hold off nearest challenger Mikael Persson to successfully defend his Enduro3 crown. The final step of the podium should be decided between Antoine Magain (Sherco) and Matteo Cavallo (TM Racing).
Daniels aims to secure Women’s Enduro crown
The Magnorange FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship will be decided this weekend. Fantic Racing’s Jane Daniels remains undefeated so far in 2023 with six wins from six starts. Victory on Saturday will see her successfully defend her crown. Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha) is second overall and holds a 10-point lead over Rieju Factory Racing’s Rosie Rowett in third.
Etchells and Norrbin bid for Junior Enduro title
In the GALFER FIM Junior Enduro World Championship it’s now a two-horse race between Fantic JET Racing’s Jed Etchells and Fantic Factory Racing’s Albin Norrbin for the title. The pair have swapped wins at round five and six to set up an exciting end to the season. With Etchells 10 points in front of Norrbin, the balance is in his favour.
As the championship rookie, Jeremy Sydow (Sherco) sits third and holds a five-point advantage over Max Ahlin (KTM) in fourth. Sergio Navarro (Husqvarna) rounds out the top five.
Inching ever closer to the Youth Enduro title, Fantic Factory Racing’s Kevin Cristino leads nearest rival Leo Joyon (Beta) by 27 points. Another win from him on Saturday should see him wrap things up with one day to spare. Thibault Giraudon (Sherco) is just two points behind Joyon in third.
>>CLICK HERE for the Round 7 entry list<<
EnduroGP World Championship Standings (After round 6)
1. Steve Holcombe (Beta) 196pts; 2. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 177pts; 3. Josep Garcia (KTM) 170pts; 4. Brad Freeman (Beta) 162pts; 5. Hamish MacDonald (Sherco) 127pts; 6. Theo Espinasse (Beta) 96pts; 7. Nathan Watson (Honda) 95pts; 8. Zach Pichon (Sherco) 90pts; 9. Mikael Persson (Husqvarna) 73pts; 10. Jamie McCanney (Husqvarna) 71pts…
