Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Steve Holcombe has ended round two of the FIM EnduroGP World Championship as points leader in both the EnduroGP and Enduro1 classes. The nine-time world champion continued his impressive start to the series, delivering strong rides in Valpacos, Portugal, placing second in both classes on Saturday, before winning each category on Sunday.
• Holcombe leads EnduroGP thanks to winning result at round two
• Steve placed on the EnduroGP and Enduro1 podium on both days in Portugal
• Round three takes place in Romania in May
The EnduroGP World Championship has really heated up for defending champion Steve Holcombe as he powered his Honda-RedMoto CRF 250RX Enduro to the top step of the podium at round two in Portugal.
With the second stop of the series following hot on the heels of the series opener in nearby Fafe, Steve was focused on building on the positive results he secured at round one. Despite mostly drier and hotter weather compared to the rain of round one, Steve felt at home in the contrasting conditions in Valpacos. Always in the hunt for the win on day one, he ended the opening day’s competition just 13 seconds short of victory and in second position.
Fast out of the blocks on Sunday, Steve built up an early lead on his Honda-RedMoto CRF 250RX Enduro to lead lap one of three by 10 seconds. With a long way still to go in the race and the pace among the top three riders proving fierce, Steve remained calm and cool under pressure. Holding his rivals at bay, he won both the overall EnduroGP category as well as the Enduro1 class.
These results now put him into the lead of both categories as the Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team rider heads to round three in Romania next month, May 10-12.
Steve Holcombe: “Signing off this first block of racing with the leader’s plate in both EnduroGP and Enduro1 is the start to the championship I was dreaming of. To be honest, it’s been an incredible two rounds in Portugal. Like round one last weekend, round two here in Valpacos was super tight racing. There’re three of us who can win every day. The pressure is on not to make a mistake, but I’m enjoying the battle and loving my time on the Honda. I’m still figuring a few things out, like today I tried to ride smoother and that paid off with the EnduroGP and Enduro1 class win. We’ve got a small break now before round three in Romania. I’ll use that to really take stock of these races and be ready to go again next month!”
Results: Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship, Round 2
EnduroGP – Day 1
1. Josep Garcia (KTM) 1:11:20.16; 2. Steve Holcombe (Honda) 1:11:34.07; 3. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 1:11:46.72…
EnduroGP – Day 2
1. Steve Holcombe (Honda) 1:01:24.91; 2. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 1:01:25.99; 3. Josep Garcia (KTM) 1:01:45.15…
Enduro1 – Day 1
1. Josep Garcia (KTM) 1:11:20.16; 2. Steve Holcombe (Honda) 1:11:34.07; 3. Jamie McCanney (Husqvarna) 1:12:54.80…
Enduro1 – Day 2
1. Steve Holcombe (Honda) 1:01:24.91; 2. Josep Garcia (KTM) 1:01:45.15; 3. Jamie McCanney (Husqvarna) 1:02:35.29…
Championship Standings (After round 2)
EnduroGP
1. Steve Holcombe (Honda) 72pts; 2. Josep Garcia (KTM) 72pts; 3. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 62pts…
Enduro1
1. Steve Holcombe (Honda) 74pts; 2. Josep Garcia (KTM) 74pts; 3. Jamie McCanney (Husqvarna) 58pts…
Words and Images by Future7Media
