2024 Champions crowned at EnduroGP of France

2024 FIM EnduroGP World Championship
Round Seven – France

Images by Future7Media

Claiming the overall championship victory for the first time in his career, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia has secured the 2024 FIM EnduroGP World Championship title at the ACERBIS GP of France.

The penultimate day of racing of the 2024 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship saw three other world champions crowned, with Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman claiming his tenth title as Enduro3 victor, Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Max Ahlin topping the Enduro Junior category and RIEJU Factory Racing’s Mireia Badia awarded her first world title in Enduro Women.

Making it two from two, Josep Garcia was crowned FIM Enduro1 World Champion on the final day of racing at the ACERBIS GP of France. The Championship drew to a close on Sunday, with Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman claiming his first EnduroGP class win of the year.

Crowned champion on Saturday, Max Ahlin was victorious in Enduro Junior, while Rachel Gutish topped the podium for the second time in France in Enduro Women.

Day One – Saturday

Kicking off with the ACERBIS Cross Test, Josep Garcia made his intentions clear from the start as he claimed his first test win of the day by nearly four seconds. However, Steve Holcombe was on the attack and went fastest on the morning’s first MAXXIS Enduro Test.

Back on top in the POLISPORT Extreme Test to round out lap one, Garcia had opened up an early lead, with Holcombe hot on his heels just four tenths of a second behind. The duo were already proving untouchable, with GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona a further 15 seconds down after one lap.

On lap two, Garcia didn’t falter. Topping the timesheets in all three tests, the Spaniard put in some incredible times to extend his lead to nine seconds by the end of the lap. Friday evening’s home hero Zach Pichon had a superb ride in the MAXXIS Enduro Test to post the second-fastest time.

The third and final lap of the day saw some incredibly close racing. Garcia narrowly won the ACERBIS Cross Test, with Holcombe less than a second behind. A renewed attack from Verona on the final POLISPORT Extreme Test saw the Italian claim his only test win of the day, three seconds clear of Holcombe.

Winning all but two tests, Garcia finished day one at the ACERBIS GP of France as the overall winner and 2024 FIM EnduroGP World Champion. After taking the fight to Garcia all day, Holcombe came home as second-fastest. Despite hoping to deny Garcia the victory, Verona was forced to settle for third overall.

Josep Garcia crowned 2024 FIM EnduroGP World Champion

September 15, 2024

Angus Riordan impresses at EnduroGP of Great Britain

August 5, 2024

Josep Garcia (KTM)

“This is a dream come true! I’ve been fighting for the EnduroGP win for the past two years, so this moment is just unforgettable. I’ve achieved my dream, and to do it on day one is even better.”

Unable to break into the top three on day one, Brad Freeman put in a solid ride for fourth overall in EnduroGP. Equalling his best result of the year so far, Zach Pichon claimed fifth overall, spurred on by an incredibly passionate home crowd.

Enduro1

With the EnduroGP overall win secured, Josep Garcia also sailed to victory in Enduro1, extending his lead in the standings to nine points. Steve Holcombe’s hopes of securing the Enduro1 world title were not over yet, though, as the Brit finished second on day one. Zach Pichon followed Holcombe home in third.

Enduro2

In Enduro2 it was Andrea Verona who topped the category for the twelfth time in 2024, with the title already wrapped up at round six. Samuele Bernardini claimed second place, with Wil Ruprecht in third. Nathan Watson was on track for a podium finish on day one, but a crash on the final test forced the Brit to retire.

Enduro3

Brad Freeman made it a day to remember, receiving his 10th world title in 10 years to be crowned 2024 FIM Enduro3 World Champion. The Brit raced to a 36-second margin of victory over Hamish Macdonald. Antoine Magain (Sherco) completed the top three, securing an impressive podium result.

Brad Freeman (Beta)

“I’m really happy to get my tenth world title! It’s been a tough year, a tough day in EnduroGP but I’ve got the job done in Enduro3. It’s been ten years since I got my first GP win here in Brioude, so this is extra special.”

Enduro Women

On the penultimate day of racing of the 2024 season, Mireia Badia was been crowned 2024 FIM Women’s Enduro World Champion. Mireia’s runner-up result on Saturday proved sufficient to secure the Spaniard’s debut world title.

Mireia Badia (RIEJU)

“Wow, this is a dream come true for sure! I never imagined that I could achieve this. I’m so happy with how this season has gone, I’ve won days and had plenty of podiums. I couldn’t have asked for more!”

The Enduro Women category saw an intense battle between Team KBS Sherco’s Rachel Gutish and championship leader Badia, with the American ultimately coming out on top on day one in France. Despite lying in second place after the first two laps, RIEJU Factory Racing’s Rosie Rowett lost some precious time on the final MAXXIS Enduro Test which saw her finish third overall.

Enduro Junior

After a dominant year in the GALFER FIM Junior Enduro World Championship, Max Ahlin was crowned world champion for the first time on Saturday. Despite finishing second overall on the first full day of racing in France, the young Swede’s efforts were enough to secure the world title after an impressive year in the category.

Max Ahlin (KTM)

“This feels so good, I’m really overwhelmed! I was nervous heading into today but I managed to focus and my last lap was really good. It felt like the longest day of my life! It’s a dream way to end this season.”

The day one win was awarded to Thibault Giraudon after a series of consistent top-two test results, much to the delight of the French crowds. Giraudon managed to hold off Max Ahlin, with less than three seconds separating the two at the end of the day. Leo Joyon rounded out the Enduro Junior podium in third place on home soil.

Enduro Youth

With the Enduro Youth world title awarded to Manuel Verzeroli (KTM) at round six, it was all to play for at the ACERBIS GP of France. Claiming an impressive seven test wins on day one, Fantic Racing Junior Team’s Pietro Scardina topped the timesheets in Enduro Youth to claim his first overall win of the season.

Taking the second spot on the podium was France’s Gabin Allemand (KTM), one minute and 20 seconds down on Scardina. Alex Puey (Beta) rounded out the top three.

EnduroGP of France – Day One Top 20

Pos	Rider	Nat	Cat	Moto	Gap
1	GARCIA Josep	ESP	E1	KTM	1:02:32.01
2	HOLCOMBE Steve	GBR	E1	Honda	+12.40
3	VERONA Andrea	ITA	E2	GASGAS	+44.43
4	FREEMAN Brad	GBR	E3	Beta	+1:12.61
5	PICHON Zachary	FRA	E1	Sherco	+1:15.44
6	ESPINASSE Theo	FRA	E1	Beta	+1:45.54
7	MACDONALD Hamish	NZL	E3	Sherco	+1:50.93
8	BERNARDINI Samuele	ITA	E2	Honda	+1:56.45
9	RUPRECHT Wil	AUS	E2	Sherco	+1:58.40
10	MAGAIN Antoine	BEL	E3	Sherco	+2:32.52
11	CAVALLO Matteo	ITA	E3	TM	+2:39.93
12	LESIARDO Morgan	ITA	E3	Husqvarna	+3:05.20
13	BLANJOUE Hugo	FRA	E1	Honda	+3:16.61
14	ROUSSALY Julien	FRA	E3	Sherco	+3:21.73
15	SYDOW Jeremy	GER	E1	Sherco	+3:22.03
16	PAVONI Matteo	ITA	E2	Husqvarna	+3:41.27
17	SORECA Davide	ITA	E1	Kawasaki	+3:43.12
18	ETCHELLS Jed	GBR	E2	Fantic	+3:50.80
19	LE QUERE Leo	FRA	E2	TM	+3:51.35
20	ELOWSON Albin	SWE	E2	Husqvarna	+3:51.39

2024 EnduroGP of France, Day One Highlights

Day Two – Sunday

Racing began on Sunday morning in France with the ACERBIS Cross Test, which saw hundreds of spectators gather to watch the action . With the Enduro1 title in his sights, Garcia made a strong start by winning the opening test. However, a fierce battle then ensued between the Spaniard and Freeman as the Brit came out on top on the first MAXXIS Enduro Test.

Victorious in the opening POLISPORT Extreme Test, too, Garcia held an early lead after the first lap. Despite a slow start to the day, Holcombe put in some solid times to work his way up to third overall behind Freeman.

The KTM star then went on to win both the ACERBIS Cross Test and the MAXXIS Enduro Test on lap two, proving why he was crowned FIM EnduroGP World Champion the day before. However, Brad Freeman was hot on Garcia’s heels all day and, after two laps, edged into the lead by just under one second, a lead he would maintain until the finish to claim his first EnduroGP win of the season.

Brad Freeman (Beta)

“I’m really happy to finally get the win in EnduroGP today, I’ve been searching for it all year. It’s definitely been a long time coming. It was a tough day for sure, everyone was pushing hard but I’m so happy to get the overall win.”

Holcombe claimed his first test win of the day on lap three, and his consistent times awarded him a runner-up result on the final day of racing in Brioude. Lap three would prove costly for Josep Garcia, with a crash on the final test forcing the championship winner to settle for third overall on day two at the ACERBIS GP of France.

In the EnduroGP championship standings, Steve Holcombe and Andrea Verona finished the final day of racing tied on points behind Garcia. Finishing two positions higher than Verona on day two in Brioude, Holcombe was awarded second place in the championship, with the Italian rounding out the podium in third.

Verona had a solid-but-steady ride to claim fourth place in EnduroGP, with CH Racing Sherco’s Zach Pichon racing to fifth in front of his home crowd.

Enduro1

Fuelled by his runner-up result on Saturday, Holcombe edged out Garcia for the Enduro1 win on day two.

Steve Holcombe (Honda)

“Today was pretty tough, but I’m happy to finish the season with a podium in EnduroGP and a win in Enduro1. To be in the fight this year with a new bike and new team is all I wanted, so it’s definitely been a good season.”

However, it wasn’t enough to deny the newly-crowned EnduroGP champion from claiming the Enduro1 title as well, as the Spaniard’s second-placed finish awarded him the overall win by a mere six points. Zach Pichon followed the duo home in third place, also securing third in the championship.