The 2025 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship turns its focus to round two, with the GP of Spain set to get underway in Oliana this weekend, 2-4 May. Following an exciting opener in Portugal, it’s TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Zach Pichon who holds an early lead in the championship.
Words and Images by EnduroGP
- Excitement builds as EnduroGP heads to Spain for round two
- Zach Pichon carries the EnduroGP leader plate into Oliana
- 117 riders will compete this weekend
Stage set for GP of Spain in Oliana
Always a memorable round of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship, this year’s GP of Spain in Oliana is sure to live up to expectations. The Catalan region, situated just two hours northwest of Barcelona, is steeped in enduro heritage, thanks to its rugged mountainous landscape and vast rolling hillsides.
The quiet town of Oliana will play host to the EnduroGP paddock, acting as the main hub of activity for the GP of Spain. Event organisers Moto Club Segre have worked incredibly hard to deliver a course that will fully test the world’s best enduro riders.
Friday evening will see racing commence with the AKRAPOVIC Super Test, situated in Oliana itself. At round one, it was Rieju Factory Team’s Dominik Olszowy who braved all during the torrential rainfall to take the win. Although probably hoping for drier weather this time around, the Polish rider will be aiming high for another victory.
With Friday’s racing complete, riders will focus on two big days of racing for Saturday and Sunday. Moto Club Segre have organised a 55-kilometre course that will be completed three times each day. On leaving the parc fermé, they will first take on the POLISPORT Extreme Test, followed by the ACERBIS Cross Test. After completing the GMOTO Enduro Test, riders will follow a lengthy liaison back to the paddock to complete the lap.
Pichon starts GP of Spain with EnduroGP leader plate
Last time out, the GP of Portugal was one to remember for TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Zach Pichon. The Frenchman secured his debut EnduroGP victory on day two and with it took an early lead in the championship. Determined to prove it wasn’t a one-off result, Pichon will be eager to win in Spain.
However, with the GP of Spain marking a home round for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia, Pichon will undoubtedly have a fight on his hands for victory. The reigning EnduroGP champion, and day one winner in Portugal, will be fired up to win in Oliana. Living only a stone’s throw away, this really is a home Grand Prix for the KTM rider.
Lying third overall, GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona will be the danger man both Pichon and Garcia need to watch out for. The Italian came within two seconds of beating Pichon in Portugal and arrives in Spain in excellent form.
Behind the top three, the battle for the remainder of the top five is wide open, since the departure of Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Steve Holcombe and Beta Factory Enduro Team’s Brad Freeman due to injury. In what’s developing into a minimum four-rider battle, it is Sherco Racing Factory’s Hamish Macdonald who holds onto fourth, with Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Samuele Bernardini fifth.
Macdonald’s teammate Antoine Magain sits just two points behind them in sixth. The Belgian put in a strong ride in Portugal and will aim to repeat that form this weekend in Spain. Following a disappointing day one at round one, Beta Factory Enduro Team’s Nathan Watson bounced back on day two to claim fourth in EnduroGP. Another strong result from the Brit could catapult him even further up the leaderboard.
Close battles expected in senior classes
The Enduro1 class sees Garcia head to his home round as the early points leader thanks to a double win in Portugal. Naturally, he will look to extend his advantage on home soil. Behind him, a battle for the remainder of the podium is shaping up nicely. Switching to Enduro1 for 2025 seems to be paying dividends for Bernardini, with the Italian twice finishing second at round one. The Triumph Factory Racing Enduro Team duo of Mikael Persson and Jamie McCanney are close behind in third and fourth, respectively, with Triumph Italia Racing’s Morgan Lesiardo completing the top five.
Despite Holcombe’s exit, the Enduro2 category is proving hotly contested between challenger Pichon and defending champion Verona. Pichon hit the ground running at round one, taking victory both days, meaning Verona needs to fight back in Spain. Third is close between Fantic Factory Racing Team’s Albin Norrbin, and Watson. Reigning FIM Junior Enduro World Champion Max Ahlin completes the top five for Team KTM Pro Racing Sport.
Although overshadowed by the departure of reigning World Champion Brad Freeman due to injury, the Enduro3 class is set for an exciting round two. At round one, it was the Sherco Racing Factory trio of Macdonald, Magain and Julien Roussaly who ruled the roost, going 1-2-3 each day in that order. Macdonald starts in Oliana with the points lead at this early stage in the season. TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Leo Le Quere is fourth, with WP Eric Auge’s Jaume Betriu fifth.
Bacon starts as rider to beat in Junior category
The FIM Junior Enduro World Championship saw MGR Kawasaki’s Kyron Bacon dominate proceedings at round one. The young Australian is now a permanent addition in the EnduroGP paddock for 2025 and is already delivering the goods.
France’s Leo Joyon (Beta) enjoyed a solid outing at round one and arrives at the GP of Spain tied on points for second with Fantic Factory Racing Enduro Team Specia’s Kevin Cristino. The duo will look to close the gap to Bacon in Oliana, as will Fantic Factory Racing Team’s Axel Semb in fourth. Also tied on points, Thibault Giraudon (Sherco) and Manuel Verzeroli (TM MOTO) are fifth and sixth, respectively.
Alberto holds early lead in Youth class
Always an exciting class to watch, the FIM Youth Enduro World Championship is brimming with top talent for 2025. TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Elgari Alberto emerged from round one at the top of the leaderboard, thanks to his day two win.
Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Romain Dagna is just two points behind in second, with the Fantic pairing of Pietro Scardina and Jose Ramdohr Rozas occupying third and fourth, respectively. Gabin Allemand (GASGAS) rounds out the top five heading into round two.
The second round of the 2025 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship takes place in Oliana, Spain, on 2-4 May. Racing begins on Friday, 2 May, from 17:00 CET, with the AKRAPOVIC Super Test.
Event Information: GP of Spain
Complete entry list for GP of Spain: HERE
Follow results from round two, 2-4 May: LIVE RESULTS
