When round six of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship takes place at the POLISPORT GP of Italy this weekend, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia will be aiming to become the first world champion crowned in 2025. The Spaniard holds a 48-point lead in the Enduro1 class, which could see him secure the title in Darfo Boario Terme with a round to spare.
- POLISPORT GP of Italy to host penultimate round of 2025 EnduroGP season
- Josep Garcia favourite to become FIM Enduro1 World Champion
- Romain Dagna targets maiden FIM Youth Enduro title
With five rounds complete, the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship now heads to Darfo Boario Terme in northern Italy for the sixth and penultimate round of the 2025 season. Always a much-anticipated race on the calendar, the POLISPORT GP of Italy is promising to be a proper test of classic Italian enduro. Nestled in the Val Camonica valley of the Lombardy region at the foot of the Bergamasque Alps, the area offers many spectacular mountain views and equally demanding trails. With a strong spectator attendance expected, the POLISPORT GP of Italy is set to become a season highlight.
READ MORE: ENDUROGP NEWS
Following Friday’s AKRAPOVIC Super Test in the town, competitors will complete four laps of a 40-kilometre course on Saturday and Sunday. From the race paddock, they will first meet the POLISPORT Extreme Test, followed by the ACERBIS Cross Test, before concluding each lap with the GMOTO Enduro Test. An additional fourth special test will further excitement and spice to the weekend’s racing.
AKRAPOVIC Super Test battles set to intensify
In the AKRAPOVIC Super Test series, it is TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Zach Pichon who leads the way over Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia. Pichon holds a seven-point advantage over Garcia, but with the KTM rider winning the last two outings, another victory from the Spaniard could see him dramatically reduce that gap ahead next month’s final round in Germany.
Garcia holds firm over Verona and Pichon in EnduroGP
As we approach the penultimate round of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship, it is Garcia who is beginning to strengthen his grip on the EnduroGP title. The defending champion has a 29-point lead over GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona in second. While we expect the championship outcome will be decided at the season finale in Germany, we can be sure Garcia will still push hard in Italy to try and increase his advantage even further.
With a victory last time out in Portugal, Verona will be eagerly looking forward to his home GP this weekend. The Italian claimed a rain-soaked win in Italy last year and always excels on home soil. With only two points separating him from Pichon in third, he knows he must give his all in Darfo Boario Terme.
Despite some impressive speed, Pichon saw his chance of victory in Portugal escape due to minor mistakes. Knowing his pace is on point, and keen to deliver TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team a top result at their home race, Pichon will also be a strong favourite for a winning result in Italy.
Behind the leading trio, Sherco Racing Factory’s Hamish Macdonald holds a comfortable fourth overall over Triumph Factory Racing Enduro Team’s Mikael Persson in fifth, with Sherco Racing Factory’s Antoine Magain sixth. Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Samuele Bernardini is currently seventh, but hoping to use his home round to close the gap to Magain and Persson.
Garcia aiming to secure sixth world title in Italy
The Enduro1 category is where the first of our 2025 world champions may be crowned this weekend in Italy. Unbeaten so far this season, Garcia has marched ahead to a 48-point lead over Persson in second. If the Spaniard wins again both days, it will see him secure the FIM Enduro1 World Championship to become a six-time world champion.
The Enduro2 class is anything but certain, with both Pichon and Verona locked in a title fight that is likely to go down to the wire in Germany. With a double win last time out in Portugal, Verona reduced Pichon’s lead to just four points. Pichon must react in Italy and keep the defending champion at bay to maintain his advantage ahead of the POLISPORT GP of Germany.
With nine wins from 10 starts in 2025, Macdonald has firmly established himself as the rider to beat in the Enduro3 class. The New Zealander is steadily moving ever closer to his debut senior world title and holds a 24-point lead over teammate Magain in second. Magain in turn has a 36-point advantage over TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Leo Le Quere in third.
All to play for in Junior Enduro
The Junior Enduro class saw the championship lead change hands at round five. On top form, Fantic Factory Racing Enduro Team Specia’s Kevin Cristino has won the last four days to become the new points leader heading into his home round this weekend. Cristino is now two points ahead of Fantic Factory Racing Team’s Axel Semb in second. Cristino will look to use the POLISPORT GP of Italy to his advantage to further extend his lead.
Sitting 10 points behind Semb in third is Ox Moto Beta’s Leo Joyon. The Frenchman is enjoying a great season and is consistently challenging for victory. Although yet to get a win on the board, he will hope to make it happen in Darfo Boario Terme.
Dagna aiming to strengthen grip on Youth Enduro
In the Youth Enduro class, it is Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Romain Dagna who is firmly in the driving seat. The Frenchman holds a 31-point lead heading into the penultimate round and has the potential to clinch his debut world title if luck falls his way in Darfo Boario Terme.
TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Alberto Elgari and Fantic Factory Racing Enduro Team Specia’s Pietro Scardina are tied for second place entering their home GP. With both riders claiming wins in 2025, they stand the greatest chance of denying Dagna a march to the title.
The sixth and penultimate round of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship takes place in Darfo Boario Terme, Italy, this weekend, 26-28 September.
Words and Images by EnduroGP
