Round five of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship in Vila de Rei, Portugal, began in strong fashion with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia winning the AKRAPOVIC Super Test.
- Racing begins at round five of EnduroGP in Portugal
- Josep Garcia claims the fastest time in Vila de Rei
- Dry and dusty conditions challenge riders
Friday evening in Vila de Rei, Portugal, saw round five of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship begin in earnest with the AKRAPOVIC Super Test. At almost three minutes in length for the majority of riders, it was the longest AKRAPOVIC Super Test of the season so far.
Looking to back up his wins from Spain and Wales, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia was in confident spirits as he lined up to compete alongside his championship rival, TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Zach Pichon.
Both riders pushed hard to master the slippery, dusty course that worked its way up and down a small hillside. In the end, it was Garcia who secured the win, stopping the clock over three seconds quicker than runner-up Pichon.
GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona took third on the night, placing just under one second behind Pichon. Consistently proving himself as a force to be reckoned with in the AKRAPOVIC Super Test, RIEJU Factory Team’s Dominik Olszowy took fourth. Matching his season-best result of fifth from the Forsiteservices GP of Wales, Sherco Racing Factory’s Theo Espinasse completed the top five.
In the Junior Enduro category, it was a battle between the top-two championship contenders of Fantic Factory Racing Team’s Axel Semb and Fantic Factory Racing Enduro Team Specia’s Kevin Cristino for victory. Finally, it was Semb who pulled clear to take the win over Cristino. France’s Thibault Giraudon (Sherco) put in a strong ride to take third.
The Youth Enduro class saw championship leader Team KTM Pro Sport Racing’s Romain Dagna set the quickest time. The young Frenchman made his intentions known for the GP of Portugal by placing over two seconds quicker than his closest rival, TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Alberto Elgari in second. Spain’s Aleix Saumell (Sherco) completed the top three.
Josep Garcia (KTM): “I’m pleased to get another win in the Super Test. It’s always a nice feeling to start a race weekend like this. I know tomorrow is going to be a long and tough day of racing, but I will give 100 per cent like always.”
