In an exciting opening day of competition at round five of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship, GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona claimed his third victory of the season at the POLISPORT GP of Slovakia. Hot on the Italian’s heels was Beta Factory Racing’s Nathan Watson, with Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Steve Holcombe in third. Tasmanian Kyron Bacon (Yamaha) secured a hard-fought win in the GALFER FIM Junior Enduro World Championship.
Highlights of the Day
MAXXIS Enduro Test: Fired-up by his win on Friday evening, Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman set the fastest time by nearly two seconds in the day’s first test.
ACERBIS Cross Test: GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona made his intentions clear, topping the timesheets to take an early lead.
POLISPORT Extreme Test: Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Steve Holcombe set the fastest time, ending lap one in third. Verona retained his early lead with Brad Freeman close behind in second, thanks to his test one win.
Lap 2: Even more incredibly close racing ensued in lap two, with Verona clocking another test win early on. Fuelled by his stellar runner-up performance in the AKRAPOVIC Super Test the night before, Beta Factory Racing’s Nathan Watson won the ACERBIS Cross Test, placing three seconds clear of teammate Freeman.
Lap 3: A two-way battle ensued between Andrea Verona and Nathan Watson, with the pair taking turns to claim test wins. Verona put in his best time of the day, six seconds clear of Watson on the MAXXIS Enduro Test.
Unfortunately, hopes of securing maximum championship points today were distant for Josep Garcia, with the Spaniard finishing fourth overall after a series of time-consuming mistakes. Holding onto the championship lead by just three points after day one, he will be looking for redemption tomorrow. Brad Freeman completed the top five behind Garcia.
