GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona has shot out to an early lead at round four of the WPTGlobal FIM EnduroGP World Championship by winning the AKRAPOVIC Super Test. The Italian proved sensationally fast in Coimbra, topping the time sheets almost three seconds quicker than closest rivals Nathan Watson (Honda) and Brad Freeman (Beta).
- Andrea Verona is off to a winning start at GP of Portugal
- One second separated riders from second to 10th in EnduroGP
- Jane Daniels posts fastest women’s AKRAPOVIC Super Test time
Picking up speed after last weekend’s GP of Italy, the WPTGlobal FIM EnduroGP World Championship’s round four got underway in Coimbra this evening. Setting the tone for what will be a competitive weekend’s action, the AKRAPOVIC Super Test served up some extremely close racing.
At the top of the time sheets, it was GASGAS mounted Andrea Verona who led the way, and by a comfortable margin. But behind him the remainder of the top 10 were separated by less than one second. After his podium result last weekend in Italy, Honda Racing Redmoto World Enduro’s Nathan Watson is fired up for another strong result. Ending Friday in second, he’ll be a danger man to watch for tomorrow.
Still battling through injuries, defending EnduroGP champion Brad Freeman will no doubt be pleased with his effort tonight. The Beta Factory Racing rider placed third quickest. Fantic’s Daniel Milner continues to impress having switched to the Enduro1 category and was just one hundredth of a second behind Freeman in fourth.
Riding the momentum of his debut Enduro3 class double win in Italy, Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Mikael Persson was fifth overall. However, it was not the start to the GP of Portugal that EnduroGP championship leader Will Ruprecht hoped for. The TM Racing rider was 25th overall and starts Saturday needing to hunt down Verona.
Returning to the WPTGlobal FIM EnduroGP World Championship tour, the Magnorange FIM Women Enduro World Championship made a welcome return to racing in Coimbra. Fantic’s Jane Daniels wasted no time in hitting the front and topped the AKRAPOVIC Super Test by a very sizeable seven seconds. Rieju’s Mireia Badia held off home favourite Rita Vieira (Yamaha) by seven hundredths of a second for second overall.
In Enduro Junior, Team Sherco CH Racing’s Zachary Pichon was once again the familiar name on top of the time sheets. The Frenchman led home Fantic’s Jed Etchells and Enrico Rinaldi (GASGAS) in second and third respectively.
Harry Edmondson (Fantic) topped the Enduro Youth category but finds Sherco’s Thibault Giraudon in close company. TM Racing’s Samuli Pujakainen was three seconds adrift in third.
Results: GP of Portugal AKRAPOVIC Super Test
EnduroGP
- Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 2:02:68
- Nathan Watson (Honda) 2:05:25
- Brad Freeman (Beta) 2:05.45
- Daniel Milner (Fantic) 2:05.4
- Mikael Persson (Husqvarna) 2:05.52
- Loic Larrieu (Fantic) 2:05.73
- Marc Sans Soria (Husqvarna) 2:05.86
- Steve Holcombe (Beta) 2:05.98
- Thomas Oldrati (Honda) 2:06.20
- Theophile Espinasse (Beta) 2:06.31
