In the Portuguese GP, the first event of the 2024 FIM EnduroGP World Championship, the challenge between Garcia and Holcombe ignites the EnduroGP and E1 classes. Watson is leader of the E2 class while Semb wins in the Junior |
The first round of the 2024 FIM EnduroGP World Championship was held this weekend in Portugal and more precisely in Fafe, a small village a few kilometres from Porto with a historical tradition for enduro and car rallying. The first GP started on Friday 5 April with the traditional opening parade followed by the long-awaited Super Test which officially kicked off the race weekend and the 2024 season. The Portuguese GP then continued over the next two days of racing with a very technical and treacherous course of over 50km that saw the Metzeler riders measure themselves on three special tests to be repeated three times a day for a total of 18 tests in two days. The order included a fast 4.8km Cross Test on hard and sometimes muddy terrain, followed by a 6km Enduro Test with hard ground mixed with stones, and a 1.5km Extreme Test at the end of the lap that was as spectacular as it was treacherous due to its classic rocks and stones typical of Portuguese races made slippery by the numerous rainfalls. At the end of the weekend Josep Garcia (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) is the leader of the EnduroGP class thanks to a first and a second place. Defending Champion Steve Holcombe (Honda RedMoto Racing Enduro Team) had a good race collecting a third and a first place. Two other riders equipped by Metzeler also made the podium in the EnduroGP class over the two days of racing, Andrea Verona (Gas Gas Gas Factory Racing) and Nathan Watson, newcomer to the Beta Factory Enduro Team. |