Fantic Factory Racing Enduro Team announce two factory squads for the 2025 EnduroGP World Championship, beginning this weekend in Portugal – Etchells moves to E1 on the XEF250 and Cristino leads in Junior2 with the 300 fuel injected two-stroke.

The 2025 EnduroGP World Championship kicks off this weekend in Fafe, Portugal, and Fantic arrives with its full arsenal ready. Two factory teams will line-up: the Fantic Factory Racing Enduro, led by Simone Albergoni, and the Specia Fantic Factory Team, managed by the ever-present Tony Specia.

Fantic’s 2025 line-up reflects the brand’s continued trust in riders who have grown within the Italian structure and its ongoing commitment to supporting young, emerging talent.

“We are starting the season with a strong team and a great chance to perform well in multiple championships,” says Alex Salvini, Fantic’s Enduro Supervisor and former world champion. “We are competing in every class. It is a significant effort for Fantic, with the ambition to succeed in the Youth and Junior categories, as well as in GP, where we aim to build a solid foundation for the future.”

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Familiar Faces, Fresh Challenges

For 2025, the Fantic Factory Racing Enduro team consists of a trio of ISDE Gold medallists; Jed Etchells, Albin Norrbin and Axel Semb. Continuity is key, Fantic say, but there’s refresh for Etchells, the 2023 Junior World Champion, who returns to the Fantic XEF 250 and to the E1 class.

The 23-year-old Swede Albin Norrbin the will compete in the E2 category aboard the Fantic XEF 310 four-stroke on which he made a strong debut at the end of the 2024 season, contributing to Sweden’s Junior Trophy victory at the Six Days in Spain.

His fellow countryman, 22-year-old Semb, remains in the Junior ranks in the world championship and also aboard the 310.

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Fantic XE 300 Power

Another rider making a big impact at the ISDE last year was Kevin Cristino, the reigning J1 Champion. Joining “Tony” Specia’s official Fantic Factory Racing team the 21-year-old Italian will compete in the Junior2 category on the Fantic XE 300, equipped with at fuel-injected Minarelli engine – the bike he rode to an impressive E3 class victory at the Six Days last October. Cristino has also made a strong start to the 2025 Italian Enduro Championship with four class wins in four race days.

Cristino has compatriot, 19-year-old, Pietro Scardina, who will race in the Youth class with the Fantic XE 125. The reigning Italian 125 Champion and winner of the final World Championship round last season has fully recovered from a health issue that slowed him down at the start of the year.

Team Specia will also field a second Fantic XE 300, with factory-supported rider Matteo Pavoni competing in the E3 senior category. Pavoni currently leads the 300 class at the Assoluti d’Italia.

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Kevin Cristino #34

“From the bike to the team, everything is new for me this year! I felt comfortable on the Fantic XE 300 right from the start. After the great experience at the Six Days, where I raced with the 300 2-stroke and won the E3 class while finishing fifth overall, expectations are definitely high. I have a really good feeling, especially on the faster special tests. 

“During the first races of the Assoluti d’Italia, we worked hard to find that extra edge in the slower, more technical sections. We are ready and motivated to start the EnduroGP season, but we also know that the season is long. Avoiding major mistakes will be key to achieving an even better final result than last year.”

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Jed Etchells #47

“For my second season in GP, I am back on the 250 – the bike that has already brought me great success in the past, but this time, I will be competing among the big boys. I only raced one round of the Assoluti d’Italia due to a minor ankle injury, which I have now fully recovered from. In these final weeks of preparation, I have regained a good feeling with the bike, and now I can’t wait to get this new season underway!”

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Axel Semb #54

“Here we are at the first GP of the season, and I am really excited about it. Over the last few weeks of training, I have managed to regain a good feeling on the bike, and I feel ready to get the season underway. It is great to kick things off in Fafe, where I had a really strong race last year, and I am looking forward to creating some more good memories this time around.”

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Pietro Scardina #83

“The EnduroGP season is just around the corner, and we are ready to go. Together with the team, we have found a great setup for the Fantic XE 125, and I am really happy with the work we have done. After a short break, I am regaining the perfect feeling and getting closer to my peak physical condition. I can’t wait to get started! We will aim for a strong race in Portugal, hoping to set the tone for a great season. As always, we will give it our all!”

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Albin Norrbin #97

“New year, new bike, new class – it is definitely exciting! A lot has changed heading into this season, but at the same time, I am really happy to continue with the team and Fantic for another year. I feel ready to make my 4-stroke debut in EnduroGP and can’t wait to see what this season has in store!”​​​​​​​​​​

 

Photo Credit: Fantic Motor