The battles to become champions in the 2025 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship intensify as the series heads to Vila de Rei in Portugal this weekend for round five of seven.

The decisive phase of the EnduroGP World Championship begins this weekend with the GP of Portugal II, the second visit to the Iberian country following the cancellation of the French GP on this same date.

A diminished entry list of riders (see the entry list below and check just 24 senior riders across E1, E2 and E3 classes) face the final three rounds across just six weeks through September and October.

This weekend is the second time the EGP paddock has in Portugal during the 2025 season, but the Vila de Rei is promising to be a contrasting venue to that of the series opener back in April.

Located at the centre of Portugal, the region is covered with pinewoods and rocky with riders facing a 50-kilometre course to be completed three times each day. The fifth round sees the return of the Expotrade Women’s Enduro and Enduro Open categories who will complete three laps on Saturday and two laps on Sunday as per usual.

Friday evening’s Super Test gets the weekend’s racing underway on the outskirts of the town and the weekend show starter that has delivered plenty of action, with three different winners from four rounds.

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Garcia, Pichon and Verona locked in EnduroGP title fight

Josep Garcia is in the form of his life and in control of the EnduroGP points lead as well as the E1 world title chase on his orange rocket KTM 250 EXC-F. The Spaniard has racked up five day wins so far in 2025 and arrives in Portugal with a 24-point lead over Zach Pichon in second place.

The Frenchman was twice second last time out in Wales, challenging Garcia all the way but will know how critical the GP of Portugal could be to close down Garcia’s lead.

Sitting five points behind Pichon in third, and second in the E2 class, GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona will also head to Vila De Rei knowing this could be crucial for his title challenge. Verona has a race win under his belt this season, and will also look to his home round in Italy at round six, but needs more maximum scores on the doors from here on in.

With over 30 points gap back to Hamish Macdonald in fourth place, Garcia, Pichon and Verona are firm EnduroGP title contenders at this stage in the season.

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Sherco Racing Factory’s Macdonald arrives in Portugal holding fourth overall in EnduroGP. The New Zealander is enjoying his best season to date and leads the E3 class title chase.

Triumph Factory Racing Enduro Team’s Mikael Persson closes out the top five. The Swede has steadily increased his pace as the championship has progressed, carding a pair of fourth-place finishes last time out in Wales and following a P4 scratch at the ISDE.

Sherco Racing Factory’s Antoine Magain, Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Samuele Bernardini, Fantic Factory Racing Team’s Albin Norrbin and Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Max Ahlin have all got the pace to challenge for a place inside the top five too.

Add in the mix this weekend the return of Beta Racing’s Nathan Watson from injury and keep an eye on Morgan Lesiardo.

EnduroGP Championship Standings (after round 4 of 7):

1. Josep Garcia (KTM) 149pts

2. Zach Pichon (TM MOTO) 125pts

3. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 120pts

4. Hamish Macdonald (Sherco) 90pts

5. Mikael Persson (Triumph) 81pts

6. Antoine Magain (Sherco) 76pts

7. Samuele Bernardini (Honda) 72pts

8. Nathan Watson (Beta) 53pts

9. Albin Norrbin (Fantic) 38pts

10. Max Ahlin (KTM) 37pts

Francesca Nocera heads three-way title fight

As we enter the penultimate round of the Expotrade FIM Women’s Enduro Championship, the title fight is proving exceptionally close, with just six points separating the top three. HRC Honda’s Francesca Nocera will look to consolidate her points lead in Portugal. The Italian was a double race winner at the season opener in Portugal, but racing in Wales with a knee injury saw her unable to fight for the win.

Hot on her heels are the RIEJU Factory Team duo of Rachel Gutish and Rosie Rowett in second and third, respectively. Gutish has yet to win in 2025, with four runner-up results so far. We know the American would love to get a race win under her belt. As the penultimate round, the GP of Portugal is the perfect time for her to strike.

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Meanwhile, Rowett had a breakthrough performance at the Forsiteservices GP of Wales, capturing her first career victory and sweeping both race days. Now in serious title contention, and on the back of another French Enduro championship round win, Rosie has momentum.

In the Expotrade FIM Junior Women’s Enduro World Cup, it’s Electraction TM MOTO’s Elizabeth Tett who tops the standings, thanks to three race wins from four starts. In Wales, we saw Lorna Lafont (Sherco) break Tett’s win streak by securing her debut victory on day two.

Tett, along with ISDE teammate Nieve Holmes, has been in Portugal training and racing for a couple of weeks, with Holmes topping the podium in the Portuguese national enduro championship last weekend.

Expotrade Women’s Championship Standings (after Rnd 2 of 4):

1. Francesca Nocera (Honda) 70pts

2. Rachel Gutish (RIEJU) 68pts

3. Rosie Rowett (RIEJU) 64pts

4. Nieve Holmes (Sherco) 52pts

5. Justine Martel (Beta) 44pts

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Semb heads a Fantic 1-2 in Junior Enduro

In the FIM Junior Enduro World Championship, it’s Fantic Factory Racing Team’s Axel Semb who leads the way by 14 points. The Swede claimed four wins in Spain and Sweden to put himself out front in the standings, but in Wales, it was Fantic Factory Racing Enduro Team Specia’s Kevin Cristino who did the winning.

Those victories lifted the Italian up to second overall ahead of OX Moto Beta’s Leo Joyon and into the title fight. Now riding a high wave of confidence, Cristino will look to chip away at Semb’s advantage during round five.

Dagna leads the way in Youth Enduro

A dramatic Forsiteservices GP of Wales saw the FIM Youth Enduro World Championship turn on its head. With a perfect scorecard, while capitalising on faults of his closest rivals, Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Romain Dagna not only moved from third to first in the standings, but picked up a 14-point lead too.

The French youngster knows that both TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Alberto Elgari and Fantic Factory Racing Enduro Team Specia’s Pietro Scardina will look to bounce back in Vila de Rei, so he can’t take anything for granted. However, if the Frenchman can win again, it will further dampen the spirits of Elgari and Scardina.

2025 EnduroGP of Portugal II entry list:

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Round five of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship will take place in Vila de Rei, Portugal, on 12-14 September.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Future7Media