The EnduroGP World Championship has another battle for the title this weekend in Valpaços, Portugal. Currently, Steve Holcombe leads but the calculations are open and there are no shortage of candidates: Brad Freeman, Andrea Verona, and Josep García still have chances to become champions, and with the penultimate round on Portuguese soil, there will certainly be no lack of excitement.
The penultimate round of the championship in Valpaços is always an exciting moment in any championship. With the AKRAPOVIC Super Test scheduled for Friday evening, competitors will then face three tough and distinct Portuguese special tests – JUST1 Enduro Test, ACERBIS Cross Test, and Polisport Extreme Test – throughout Saturday and Sunday. With temperatures expected to reach around 30 degrees, the sixth round could be a race of attrition.
Holcombe leads the championship
By taking the lead of the championship in the fifth round in Slovakia, Steve Holcombe, from Beta Factory Racing, holds a small 13-point advantage over teammate Brad Freeman. Steve has been nothing short of impressive this season, steadily building as the year progresses. Now, in the right place at the right time, the British rider is focused on pursuing his eighth world title.
After crashing out of the Slovakia GP on the first day, Brad Freeman lost the championship lead. The British rider remained very quiet during the summer break, but it is expected that he has fully recovered to ensure that the title fight goes down to the wire.
With a victory last time in Slovakia, current EnduroGP champion Andrea Verona is back in the fight. GASGAS Factory Racing pilot is third overall and just 19 points behind Holcombe, with four full race days remaining. Josep Garcia, from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, is in fourth place overall. Hamish MacDonald, from CH Racing Sherco, completes the top five and is the only other rider with mathematical chances of winning the EnduroGP title.
Leading the way in Enduro1, Josep Garcia will try to increase his lead in Portugal. The Spanish rider has proven to be the one to beat with six victories to his credit. 18 points behind him is Theo Espinasse (Beta) in second. The fight for third place continues to heat up between Jamie McCanney, from Fast Eddy Racing, and Zach Pichon, from Sherco.
In Enduro2, Steve Holcombe leads the standings with an 18-point advantage over nearest rival Andrea Verona. The duo has proven to be the strongest so far this year, winning all 10 races between them to date. Although now 23 points behind Verona, Hamish MacDonald maintains a healthy 21-point lead over fourth-placed Nathan Watson from Honda.
Despite not scoring in Slovakia, Brad Freeman still holds the lead in Enduro3 by four points thanks to his eight race wins. Swedish Mikael Persson (Husqvarna) may be feeling déjà vu entering Portugal, as the fight for the Enduro3 title seems to be once again between the two riders, just like in 2022. Antoine Magain, riding for Sherco, completes the top three.
Etchells wants to keep Norrbin “away” in Junior Enduro
The battle for the GALFER FIM Junior Enduro World Championship continues with Jed Etchells of Fantic maintaining the championship lead. The British rider has held the advantage for most of 2023, but Albin Norrbin (Fantic) has gained some ground and confidence thanks to his recent string of victories. Newly crowned British Enduro Champion Etchells will have to respond if he wants to keep the Swede at bay. Rookie Jeremy Sydow (Sherco) leads Max Ahlin (KTM) by one point in the fight for third place.
Italian Kevin Cristino (Fantic) is the one to beat in the Junior Enduro. With eight wins in 10 races, Cristino has built a 13-point lead over Thibault Giraudon of Sherco. Leo Joyon of Beta is eight points further back in third.
The sixth round of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship takes place in Valpaços, Portugal, this weekend. The races kick off on Friday with the AKRAPOVIC Super Test.
