The best, worst kept secret in EnduroGP is finally officially out, Sherco Racing Factory Team has announced the signing of Enduro2 World Champion Wil Ruprecht for the 2023 season.

Sherco at last made it official that the Australian will ride their 300 SEF model and will defend his hard won E2 World Enduro Championship as well as compete in the Italian Enduro Championship.

Wil joins the likes of Junior World Champion Zach Pichon, Antoine Magaine and fellow Antipodean Hamish Macdonald who will form a very strong EnduroGP squad this season.

Speaking about the transition to Sherco, Ruprecht seems impressed with the natural feel of the French 300 four-stroke, “At the moment I am spending a lot of time on the bike to basically reprogramme my motor sensors to accommodate the change in feedback felt throughout the bike.

“Initially I am impressed with the ease of use that the Sherco brand is so well known for. I am able to place the bike wherever I want on the track. It’s bread and butter is traditional enduro terrain and is very forgiving on tree roots and rocks.”

CH Racing Team heritage

As a reigning world champion, Wil says he sees the same desire to achieve his goal of overall EnduroGP world title in the CH Racing team, “Coming off the momentum of an E2 title and a fight for the GP title I am motivated to continue maturing and developing towards becoming EnduroGP Champion in 2023.

“The overall package just seems desirable to me, from the Sherco development team to the CH racing team, I see maturity and a deep burning desire for results.

“It is a breath of fresh air walking into a new manufacture and team. EnduroGP titles are no stranger to Sherco with Matthew Philips taking the crown in 2016. The CH racing team have a racing heritage like few others in the paddock.”

New team, new teammates

Ruprecht has spent the last few seasons with a strong bunch of teammates and training partners in an Italian team. Although he had a few honest words to say about how that came to a head, and the reasons why he looked for a new team in an interview we ran last month: 2022 E2 World Champion Wil Ruprecht: world titles don’t come easy

2023 will bring a fresh batch of teammates, also within an Italian team structure but with very mixed nationality rider squad.

“Training and racing alongside the likes of Hamish (Macdonald), Zach (Pichon), Antoine (Magaine) and Morgan means some very skilled riders with strengths in varying areas, you can see growth fast in an environment like that. They are all motivated and capable riders so 2023 is stacking up to be very competitive from Sherco’s efforts.”

 

 

Photo Credit: Sherco