The 2023 EnduroGP World Championship came down to the final round in Portugal, October 7-8, where Red Bull KTM’s Josep Garcia swept the weekend’s racing, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Beta’s Steve Holcombe from winning the EnduroGP (overall) Championship. He also took the Enduro2-class title for a total of nine lifetime World Championships.
Photos by Future7Media
Garcia did everything he could in Portugal by winning both days, but an injury earlier in the championship proved to cost him the title, which went to the fast and consistent rider from Great Britain, Holcombe, who went a conservative 3-5 over the weekend.
Holcombe finished out the year with 222 points to Garcia’s 210.
“I was feeling the nerves today,” Holcombe said after finishing fifth on day two. “It’s been a while since I was in this position of winning a title, and I just wanted to get the job done and not make a mistake. I had a good start to the day, then kind of lost my rhythm to the top guys in the middle of the day. But I knew where I needed to be, so I focused on that and brought the title home. Becoming EnduroGP and Enduro2 World Champion in one year is incredible. I never dreamed of being a nine-time world champion, so it’s going to take a while for this moment to sink in.”
All was not lost for Garcia, who took the Enduro1 title. The Spaniard locked it up after Saturday’s race.
“It’s amazing to have this winning feeling back after such a tough year,” Garcia said. “Despite my crash in Sweden, I never gave up and kept on pushing myself as I knew I had the pace to do it. Slovakia was tough, but after that, we had a long break where I was able to refocus and work on my speed and fitness again. After the summer break, I won both days of round six and now the overall here on day one at round seven. It’s great to win the Enduro1 title with one day left.”
The Enduro3 title came down to the last few tests. Beta’s Brad Freeman led Husqvarna’s Mikael Persson by 12 points going into the final day. Persson made a run at Freeman, but Freeman ended up coming out on top by just two points for the number-one plate.
“I’m happy to come home with the world title in Enduro3,” Freeman said. “It’s a little bit bittersweet having lost the EnduroGP lead and trying to ride through injuries.” CN
View 2023 EnduroGP of Portugal Final Round Results HERE
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