The 2024 FIM EnduroGP World Championship hits round four at the POLISPORT GP of Italy in Bettola this weekend, June 21-23, with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia leading a headstrong charge of the titans at this halfway point of the season.

All systems go for round four of the season this weekend and the GP of Italy in Bettola. The fourth round of the season promises much with Josep Garcia sitting pretty after a solid start to the season.

But the Spaniard will surely have a tough challenge this weekend as Andrea Verona looks to land another victory on home soil, Brad Freeman and Nathan Watson flying the Beta flag on their team’s home GP and Steve Holcombe looking to bounce back after a round three dip.

Situated between Milan, Genoa and Piacenza, the small, quiet, rural town of Bettola will come alive with three days of racing from all classes – the Women rejoin for their next round alongside Youth 125, Juniors and the senior EnduroGP classes – in what will mark the halfway point in this year’s championship chase.

Always a favourite on the calendar, the POLISPORT GP of Italy annually attracts thousands of passionate fans to a race paddock, located in the centre of the town, will be a hive of activity as riders and teams ready themselves for the Friday evening AKRAPOVIC Super Test.

Saturday and Sunday will see competitors face three-and-a-half loops of a 46-kilometre course, the Women a little less on the Sunday, in a figure-of-eight formation and the roster including a Acerbis Cross Test, Polisport Extreme Test and Maxxis Enduro Test. With an expected ride time of seven hours each day, the GP of Italy is set to put everyone through their paces.

Garcia aims to extend EnduroGP lead in Italy

The EnduroGP classification also has Garcia in control of the championship standings having finished inside the top three in every race to date.

Proving again that consistency matters, second overall in points is GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona who secured his first day victory of the season at round three.

Defending EnduroGP champ Steve Holcombe arrived at the last GP in Bacau tied on points for the championship lead with Garcia, but left it third overall in the standings, trailing Garcia by 11 points, after not gelling with the conditions. The Brit knows he has some ground to make back up in Bettola and having made some bike changes for the Italian GP, is ready to come out swinging.

Behind the leading trio, it’s the Beta Factory Racing pairing of Nathan Watson and Brad Freeman who close out the top five in fourth and fifth respectively. Watson has looked strong since jumping on the Beta this season. After a shaky start to his year, Freeman showed in Romania, as well as the Italian Enduro Championship recently, that he’s getting back on form and fighting fit.

Class podiums are proving consistency and speed pay off this year also and here lie Fast Eddy Racing’s Jamie McCanney and Samuele Bernardini aimgin high for his Honda RedMoto’s home round.

It is high time too we say the resurgence of Sherco’s top trio Zach Pichon, Hamish Macdonald and Wil Ruprecht who’ve all had issues earlier in the year but a reset in recent weeks, bike changes and injury recovery, should see them challenging where we expect them to be for the wins this weekend.

Top 10 Championship Standings (After round 3), EnduroGP class:

1. Josep Garcia (KTM) 109pts

2. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 99pts

3. Steve Holcombe (Honda) 98pts

4. Nathan Watson (Beta) 64pts

5. Brad Freeman (Beta) 62pts

6. Jamie McCanney (Husqvarna) 55pts

7. Samuele Bernardini (Honda) 48pts

8. Zach Pichon (Sherco) 44pts

9. Matteo Cavallo (TM MOTO) 37pts

10. Hamish MacDonald (Sherco) 30pts…

Enduro Women return to action in Italy

Test conditions can dictate the outcome often in this class, with how fast or technical the tests are affecting the results. With Italian enduro tests a familiar “type”, which most riders will know, this weekend could be a time for the girls to cement their points tallies.

Missing in Romania, the FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship returns to do battle again in Italy. After two rounds in Portugal, Rieju Factory Racing’s Mireia Badia leads the way into Bettola.

Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Francesca Nocera and Team KBS Sherco’s Rachel Gutish are both tied for second overall. Each rider has claimed a race win so far in 2024, but with Nocera entering her home round this weekend, she’ll be highly motivated to put her Honda on the top step of the podium both days.

Behind the top three, Brits Rosie Rowett (RIEJU) and Nieve Holmes (Sherco) complete the top five. Rowett has two podium visits to her credit in 2024, while Holmes is still searching for that breakthrough result while her compatriot Homes looks set to miss this round after a shoulder operation.

E1, E2 & E3 class acts

In Enduro1, Garcia is beginning to stretch his lead thanks to four wins from six starts. Holcombe lies second, but is now six points behind his rival. McCanney holds third with a four-point advantage over CH Racing Sherco’s Zach Pichon in fourth.

Verona is steadily building a big advantage in Enduro2. The Italian is now 27 points clear of Bernardini in second. Watson is third overall, but with just two points separating him from Bernardini, the Beta rider is sure to attack in Bettola.

With a double victory at round two, Freeman returned to the top of the Enduro3 standings and now looks increasingly hard to beat. Holding second overall, Cavallo will aim to continue his run of good form on home soil and fend off both Hamish MacDonald (Sherco) and Fantic Racing Team’s Albin Norrbin.

Battle of the Swedes in Enduro Junior

The GALFER FIM Junior Enduro World Championship sees Fantic Racing Team’s Axel Semb lead the way after round three. The Swede was sensational during the opening two rounds and looked to have a command on the class.

However, in Romania, Max Ahlin (KTM) put a severe dent in his momentum and topped the podium both days. With many expecting that exciting rivalry to continue in Italy, it’s shaping up to be another competitive battle.

Entering their home round, both Kevin Cristino (Fantic) and Manolo Morettini (Honda) have the speed to take the fight to the Swedish duo. Cristino has placed as high as second three times already this year, Italy would be perfect timing to take his debut win in Enduro Junior.

In Enduro Youth, TM MOTO’s Alberto Elgari took over the points lead at the end of round two. Behind him, fellow countrymen Manuel Verzeroli (KTM) and Pietro Scardina (Fantic) complete the top three. With all three riders eager to deliver their best in front of family and friends, the fight to finish first will be fierce in Bettola.

Round four of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship takes place in Bettola, Italy from June 21-23.

Stay tuned to Enduro21 all weekend for the news, best images, videos and results.

Photo Credit: Future7Media