The 2023 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship heads to Spain for round two with Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman leading the points in prime form but facing a long list of riders, including home hero Josep Garcia, ready to prove a point this weekend in Lalin.

If round one of the 2023 EnduroGP World Championship in Italy last month was filled with anticipation after a long winter, round two this weekend in Lalin, Spain brings added fizz as we look to see how riders will build upon that first GP result. 

Everyone will look to Freeman as a benchmark after his double winning result, closely followed by reigning world champ Andrea Verona and Steve Holcombe. 

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Home GP for Garcia

Plenty of eyes will also be on Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia at his home round in Spain. After a disappointing opening GP by his own admission, Josep didn’t look as comfortable as we expected on the 2024 250 EXC-F but will certainly know the terrain in north West Spain, and will have been doing plenty of homework after that uncharacteristic 6-4 scratch result in Italy.

The problem for Josep, plus the long list of first-class riders inside the top 15 or 20 of the results, is how on it they all are this season. With the first GP results, plus a couple of Italian championship races to use as evidence, we’re witnessing a purple patch of riding talent right now. It means the pace in the tests in unreal to watch and it takes just small mistakes to make big differences. 

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Winning ain’t easy

After a double EnduroGP victory in Italy, Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman heads to Lalin on top form. Last year was a difficult, injury-hit time for the then out-going EnduroGP champ. But his performances at round one showed that he’s put those last 12 months behind him and is more than ready to fight for the title again.

GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona was twice second to Freeman at round one and will look to halt Brad’s winning ways this weekend. The series opener in Italy also saw Beta’s Steve Holcombe return to form following a difficult 2022 season with two podiums, plus a recent win ahead of all these guys in Italy. 

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Sherco boys knocking on the door

With two fifth place results last time out, Sherco CH Racing’s Hamish MacDonald returned to racing following injury arguably better than some expected. The New Zealander isn’t the only danger man in Sherco colours as his teammate, Zach Pichon, also shone with fourth on day one marking a terrific start to his senior campaign for the current Junior Enduro World Champion.

Class points leaders

  • If you’re looking to the individual classes, Garcia tops the E1 standings over Pichon, with RedMoto Honda Racing’s Thomas Oldrati third.
  • Verona is best of the E2 contenders with Holcombe second and MacDonald third.
  • Brad Freeman dominated the GP class and E3 ahead of Mikael Persson (Husqvarna) and Matteo Cavallo (TM Racing).

Etchells holds Junior Enduro points lead

The GALFER Junior Enduro World Championship saw a fierce contested in Italy and it was Fantic’s Jed Etchells who got his season off to the greatest start by winning the opening day and placing second on day two to take an early lead in the standings.

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EnduroGP rookie Jeremy Sydow (Sherco) was also impressive with the SuperTest outright win on the beach in Italy, he placed 3-1 over the weekend to sit second ahead of Max Ahlin third overall.

A double victory on home soil for Kevin Cristino (Fantic) in the Youth class means the Italian holds a six-point lead over Thibault Giraudon (Sherco). However, they were hard fought wins with Cristino narrowly beating Giraudon by just one tenth of a second on day two. Leo Joyon (Beta) sits third.

The EnduroGP of Spain begins on Friday afternoon with the Super Test for all classes, including a long list of Spanish national riders but no Women’s GP class at this round (FYI). The main race days will consist of three laps of three tests (extreme, cross and enduro in that order) beginning from 9am local time Saturday.

Enduro21, as ever, will bring you all the results, riders quotes, videos and insight direct from the Lalin paddock.

Full entry list for the 2023 Enduro:

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The ACERBIS GP of Spain, round two of the 2023 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship, takes place in Lalin, Spain on May 5-7.

 

Photo Credit: Future7Media