Now that’s how you start a season! At the 2022 FIM EnduroGP World Championship opener in Spain, GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona has dominated the Enduro1 class on both days, also throwing his hat into the ring as a serious contender for this year’s overall EnduroGP title after taking his maiden EGP class win on day one. Setting a blistering pace all weekend, Verona arguably delivered some of the best form of his career. Battling at the sharp end of the field throughout the event, the Italian leaves Spain on top of both the E1 and EnduroGP title chases, and full of confidence as he heads into round two in Portugal next weekend.
Fourth fastest overall at the end of Friday night’s Super Test, and top E1 class racer, Verona was on the gas throughout day one at the EnduroGP of Spain. In the overall EnduroGP class he only dropped outside of the top five on two of the day’s special tests. Andrea was near faultless in E1, winning all but one of the tests on his way to completing a truly impressive opening day of racing under the Spanish sun.
The defending Enduro1 World Champion overcame a technical opening test on day two and from the second special test onwards was back to his best. Challenging for another EnduroGP day win, he ultimately secured second overall, just 18 seconds from victory.
In Enduro1, the Italian was once again the man to beat. Topping seven special tests from nine to secure the E1 class win, Andrea kicked off his 2022 world championship season in the best way possible – earning maximum Enduro1 class points as well as securing the top spot in both the Enduro1 and EnduroGP championships heading into round two!
Andrea Verona: “Overall it has been a really great weekend. It was amazing to take my first EnduroGP day win on Saturday. There are no words to describe it. I was so, so happy, and winning a day in EnduroGP was a personal goal of mine for this season. To tick that one off my to-do list so soon in the season is awesome. Today, the second day, was tough. It was really bumpy and it was challenging from the start. Despite a slow start I was soon in the battle again for the EnduroGP win, although I came up a little short. But I secured another win in E1 so to leave here on top of both championships is amazing. Now it’s onto Portugal, I can’t wait.”
Results – 2022 EnduroGP World Championship, Round 1, Day 1
Enduro1
1. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 59:24.16
2. Thomas Oldrati (Honda) 1:00:13.39
3. Theo Espinasse (Beta) 1:00:47.54
EnduroGP
1. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 59:24.16
2. Steve Holcombe (Beta) 59:27.76
3. Wil Ruprecht (TM) 59:27.92
Results – 2022 EnduroGP World Championship, Round 1, Day 2
Enduro1
1. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 58:29.44
2. Thomas Oldrati (Honda) 59:29.70
3. Matteo Cavallo (TM) 1:00:23.37
EnduroGP
1. Josep Garcia (KTM) 58:11.12
2. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 58:29.44
3. Brad Freeman (Beta) 58:33.58
Championship Standings – 2022 EnduroGP World Championship, (after Round 1)
Enduro1
1. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 40 points
2. Thomas Oldrati (Honda) 34 pts
3. Matteo Cavallo (TM) 24 pts
EnduroGP
1. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 37 points
2. Josep Garcia (KTM) 33 pts
3. Wil Ruprecht (TM) 28 pts