In an action-packed opening day at the POLISPORT GP of Slovakia, Andrea Verona of GASGAS Factory Racing secured his third victory of the season in the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship.
Verona’s dominant performance saw him lead the field by 17 seconds, showcasing his consistency and skill throughout the day. He was closely followed by Nathan Watson from Beta Factory Racing, who finished just over 17 seconds behind, and Steve Holcombe of Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team claimed third place.
The day kicked off with Brad Freeman setting the pace in the AKRAPOVIC Super Test on Friday night, setting the stage for a competitive Saturday. On race day, Freeman continued to impress by leading early in the MAXXIS Enduro Test. However, it was Verona who took charge in the ACERBIS Cross Test, establishing an early lead that he maintained throughout.
The competition intensified in lap two as Nathan Watson surged ahead in the ACERBIS Cross Test, demonstrating his formidable pace. Meanwhile, Steve Holcombe made significant gains with a strong performance in the POLISPORT Extreme Test, securing his podium finish by the end of the day. Verona’s consistency proved crucial as he extended his lead amidst fierce battles between Watson and Freeman.
Lap three saw Verona and Watson exchange victories, with Verona ultimately securing his win with a commanding performance in the MAXXIS Enduro Test. Matteo Pavoni of JET Zanardo Husqvarna also impressed with a standout performance on the final test, highlighting the depth of talent in the competition.
In the championship standings, Josep Garcia faced challenges that relegated him to fourth place overall, narrowly maintaining his lead heading into day two. Brad Freeman’s fifth-place finish added to the day’s drama, while Steve Holcombe dominated the Enduro1 class with a comfortable margin over Garcia.
In the Enduro2 category, Andrea Verona continued his streak of success, securing his seventh consecutive victory of the season, followed closely by Nathan Watson. Wil Ruprecht delivered his best performance of the season to date, clinching third place. Brad Freeman further solidified his lead in Enduro3 with a dominant win, followed by Hamish MacDonald and Matteo Cavallo.
In the GALFER FIM Junior Enduro World Championship, Tasmanian Kyron Bacon emerged victorious after a tightly contested battle with Max Ahlin. Bacon’s consistency paid off as he secured his first win in the category, with Thibault Giraudon and Matej Skuta rounding out the top positions.
Manuel Verzeroli extended his lead in the Enduro Youth class with another impressive victory, fending off challenges from Romain Dagna and Luca Colorio. Verzeroli’s consistent performance underscored his position as a formidable contender in the championship.
The opening day at the POLISPORT GP of Slovakia showcased thrilling competition across multiple categories, setting the stage for an equally exciting day two of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship.
