The penultimate round of the FIM Enduro World Championship was held in Santiago do Cacém, which is a small village located a few miles away from the Portuguese capital of Lisbon. After an extended Summer break, the race organisers set out to create a challenging course for the riders with three rather fast, flat special tests on a single type of sandy terrain.
The fifth round of the EnduroGP kicked off with an action packed Akrapovic Super Test. The night started with Britain’s Joe Wootton (Husqvarna) leading for a long period until Brad Freeman (Beta) and Josep Garcia (KTM) hit the track. Both were almost inseparable, but it was Freeman who narrowly took the win by just one tenth of a second.
Garcia then went on to win the next five special tests, gaining and then further extending his lead. Signing off his day with the fastest times in both the final Champion Enduro Test and Acerbis Cross Test, he won the day by an impressive 54 seconds. This made Josep Garcia the fastest rider on both days of the race, with Beta Factory Enduro Team series leader Brad Freeman close behind. Completing the all-Metzeler podium was Gas Gas Factory Racing rider Andrea Verona on the opening day, and Britain’s Nathan Watson on Sunday (Team Honda RedMoto).
Enduro 1
The official Gas Gas rider Andrea Verona won both days of racing, making him a strong candidate for the final victory in the E1 class. Fellow Metzeler rider Davide Guarneri of Fantic Factory Team E/50 Racing pushed him all the way, but in Portugal he had to settle for two second places in his class.
Enduro 2
Metzeler factory rider Josep Garcia literally dominated the E2 class, winning both days. The final podium on both days of racing was made up of three Metzeler riders, with Nathan Watson (Team Honda RedMoto) in second and Steve Holcombe (Team Beta Factory Enduro) third.
Enduro 3
Brad Freeman rounded out a great weekend for the German tyre brand as he won the E3 class on both race days in Portugal. The official Beta rider is now the full points leader and is one step away from the world title.
Albin Narrbin (Fantic Darpa Racing Team) also won the Youth Class World Title on Metzeler after a 5 second race victory over key rival Kevin Cristino.
The final round of the FIM EnduroGP World Championship will take place next weekend in France.
