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Brad Freeman & Rose Rowett Lead The Way At GP Of Sweden AKRAPOVIC Super Test – Race Report

The AKRAPOVIC Super Test saw riders get down to business at round four of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship in Skovde, Sweden. Repeating his winning Super Test run from last week’s race in Finland, Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman once again topped the time sheets.

In the GALFER FIM Junior Enduro World Championship home favourite Max Ahlin (KTM) put in a flyer to take the fastest Junior time while also going fourth quickest outright. Rieju’s Rosie Rowett was impressive in the Magnorange FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship and edged out championship leader Jane Daniels (Fantic) for the win.

GP of Sweden gets underway with AKRAPOVIC Super Test in Skovde.
Beta’s Brad Freeman sets the pace with the fastest outright time.
Home hero Max Ahlin tops the Juniors with fourth outright.

It’s back to business a day earlier than normal for the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship with the AKRAPOVIC Super Test taking place tonight in Skovde. The earlier Thursday start did little to dampen the pace of the world’s best enduro riders with all classes pushing to their maximum on the short and technical special test.

As was the case last weekend in Finland, Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman put in the fastest time of the night in Skovde. While Freeman was the benchmark, his margin of victory tonight was much less than in Heinola as championship rivals Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia and Steve Holcombe (Beta) virtually shadowing him across the finish line.

In the end, Freeman takes a very slender three tenths of a second lead over Garcia heading into Friday’s racing, with Holcombe a further three tenths of a second adrift in third. With this trio already heading the time sheets, tomorrow looks set to be another incredible battle for victory.

A great ride from Sweden’s Max Ahlin (KTM) in Juniors saw him set a scorcher of a time that few could match. Placing fourth outright and fastest of his category, his confidence will be high heading into tomorrow’s racing.

Delivering his best performance of the season to date, Italy’s Morgan Lesiardo (Sherco) was fifth, with CH Racing Sherco’s Zach Pichon one tenth of a second behind in sixth.

In the Youth Enduro class, France’s Leo Joyon (Beta) took the win over Thibault Giraudon (Sherco), with Alex Puey (KTM) in third.

In the Magnorange FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship, Rieju’s Rosie Rowett will be pleased with her ride tonight. She took the AKRAPOVIC Super Test win by a healthy eight tenths of a second. Fantic’s Jane Daniels placed as runner-up, with Yamaha’s Jessica Gardiner third.

Results – Round 4, GP of Sweden
AKRAPOVIC Super Test

1. Brad Freeman (Beta) 1:28.46; 2. Josep Garcia (KTM) 1:28.72; 3. Steve Holcombe (Beta) 1:29.02; 4. Max Ahlin (KTM) 1:30.66; 5. Morgan Lesiardo (Sherco) 1:30.70…