Getting back to business, GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona was on top form at round five of the FIM EnduroGP World Championship in Slovakia. After a difficult couple of races for the defending EnduroGP champ, the Italian came out swinging on day two to claim his first overall win of the season.
Back on top! Andrea Verona puts GASGAS Factory Racing on the top step of the FIM EnduroGP World Championship at round five in Slovakia. With an awesome display of riding in the mud and torrential rain, Verona railed his EC 350F around the slippery tests in Gelnica on day two to take a much deserved victory in EnduroGP and Enduro2. With a pair of runner-up results on day one, Slovakia delivered the confidence boost Andrea had been chasing.
Working hard between rounds four and five, while also dipping a toe in Hard Enduro by sampling the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, Verona had truly done his homework on arrival to Gelnica. Using the time wisely, both himself and the GASGAS Factory Racing team had made big gains with their EC 350F and were keen to show it.
On day one, Verona was immediately up to speed. He won the opening extreme test and didn’t drop outside the top two times on lap one. Keeping the pace high, he piled on the pressure to close rival Steve Holcombe during the middle half of the day. Signing the day off with another win on the extreme test, Verona was smiling with his day’s work of second in both EnduroGP and Enduro2.
With the weather turning wet for Sunday, Andrea rolled up his sleeves and got stuck in. Battling hard from the off, he swapped the lead numerous times on the opening lap with Holcombe. Capitalizing immediately on a mistake from the Brit on the third enduro test, Verona put his EC 350F out front and then gave it everything he had to make sure he stayed there. Winning the final cross test and finishing second on the remaining enduro tests, Andrea claimed the victory he’d chased all year.
After a busy start to the season, the EnduroGP World Championship takes a summer break before returning for round six in September.
Andrea Verona: “It’s been a great weekend of racing. I feel like it’s been a good turning point in the season. After some tough races, we worked so hard to be ready for this one and it’s paid off. I felt more comfortable on the bike and could push hard. Day one was a hard battle with Steve, but I lost some ground to him on the final lap. On day two I kept pushing despite the rain making things a bit crazy. I was strong on the cross test and gave my best there. In the end it was enough to win. Finally, in what’s been a difficult weekend for our sport, I want to send my condolences to the family and friends of Jaroslav Diro who passed away on Friday evening.”
Results – 2023 EnduroGP World Championship, Round 5
Day 1 - EnduroGP
1. Steve Holcombe (Beta) 1:21:06.96
2. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 1:21:34.30
3. Wil Ruprecht (Sherco) 1:22:41.52
Day 1 - Enduro2
1. Steve Holcombe (Beta) 1:21:06.96
2. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 1:21:34.30
3. Wil Ruprecht (Sherco) 1:22:41.52
Day 2 - EnduroGP
1. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 1:19:49.03
2. Steve Holcombe (Beta) 1:19:51.49
3. Hamish MacDonald (Sherco) 1:20:37.80
Day 2 - Enduro2
1. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 1:19:49.03
2. Steve Holcombe (Beta) 1:19:51.49
3. Hamish MacDonald (Sherco) 1:20:37.80
Championship Standings – 2023 EnduroGP World Championship, (after Round 5)
1. Steve Holcombe (Beta) 164pts
2. Brad Freeman (Beta) 151pts
3. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 145pts
Enduro2
1. Steve Holcombe (Beta) 191pts
2. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 173pts
3. Hamish MacDonald (Sherco) 140pts