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With the dust barely settled on last weekend’s round four of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship in Fafe, Portugal, the championship stays in Fafe for round five this coming weekend.
Utilising the paddock arrangement in the city, teams and riders gladly welcomed the couple of days rest and recovery following round four before preparing themselves for round five. Without the need to undergo any additional travel, it offered many an opportunity to relax and enjoy Portuguese cuisine and local tourist attractions.
For the GP of Portugal II, round five will feature an entirely new course to challenge riders with new locations for the EXPOTRADE Cross Test, GMOTO Enduro Test and POLISPORT Extreme test, while utilising the already prepared AKRAPOVIC Super Test in the centre of Fafe for Friday night’s racing.
Garcia leads Akrapovic Super Test series
The AKRAPOVIC Super Test delivered an exciting start to the GP of Portugal I last Friday, and event organisers Natureza Alternativa are confident for more of the same this Friday.
Securing his third AKRAPOVIC Super Test win of the season, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia extends his series lead out to eight points over TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Zach Pichon, with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona holding third.
Pichon aiming for more success in Fafe
The EnduroGP class proved incredibly competitive last weekend. Garcia topped the standings on day one, but it was Pichon who won on day two to secure his first victory of the season. The French rider looked incredibly comfortable in the hot, dry and dusty conditions throughout the weekend. Now motivated by his victory on Sunday, he will be aiming to top the podium once more.
For Verona, currently runner-up to Garcia in the championship, round four was not so kind with a 3-5 scorecard. The Italian knows he needs to bridge the gap to Garcia and Pichon to challenge for the win.
Sherco Racing Factory’s Steve Holcombe is a rider who will be looking for redemption this weekend. The Brit suffered a mechanical issue during the final EXPOTRADE Cross Test on day one at round four while holding a strong second place and failed to finish. Bouncing back for third on day two showed that Holcombe can run a strong pace in these conditions and will be determined to put a complete weekend together for the GP of Portugal II.
Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman rounds out the top five in the EnduroGP standings, but with Sherco Racing Factory’s Hamish Macdonald only two points behind him, this position is anything but settled.
Gutish out front in Expotrade Women’s Enduro
The GP of Portugal II will mark the penultimate round of this year’s five-round Expotrade FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship. With a 28-point lead, helped by her impressive double victory last weekend, RIEJU Factory Team’s Rachel Gutish starts the GP of Portugal II with a virtual grasp on successfully defending her world crown. Another 1-1 scorecard would help her on her way to becoming a two-time world champion.
ET James Sherco UK’s Nieve Holmes lies second overall, with just two points separating her from RIEJU Factory Team’s Rosie Rowett in third, with Ambiance Moto’s Justine Martel a further five points back in fourth. This battle for the remainder of the podium positions looks set to continue this weekend.
Making her EnduroGP debut in Fafe, Canada’s Shelby Turner (Triumph) immediately impressed, claiming a pair of runner-up results. Turner will be one to watch this weekend.
Elgari back in control of Tsubaki Junior Enduro
The Tsubaki FIM Junior Enduro World Championship saw TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Alberto Elgari regain control of the championship lead in Fafe. Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Romain Dagna didn’t have the best of times at round four, failing to make it onto the podium at a Grand Prix for the first time this season. Dagna will need to dig deep in Fafe if he wishes to take back the points lead.
NSA Racing’s Kevin Cristino holds third, but faces a serious threat from Triumph Factory Racing’s Leo Joyon. Joyon enjoyed an incredible weekend of racing at round four, claiming his debut Tsubaki Junior Enduro class victory on Sunday.
Scardina is new leader of Putoline Oil Youth Enduro
With a double race win in Fafe, TM MOTO Costa Ligure’s Pietro Scardina has become the new points leader of the Putoline Oil FIM Youth Enduro World Championship. The fight for second is tight between Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Simone Cagnoni, WP Eric Auge’s Yago Dominguez and Fantic Factory Racing’s Valentin Mersin, with just six points separating the trio of riders.
GP Standings
E1 Standings
E2 Standings
E3 Standings
Junior Standings
Youth Standings
Women Standings
Source / Pictures: EnduroGP
