GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona has put in an incredible ride at round five of the FIM EnduroGP World Championship in Vila de Rei, Portugal. The Italian placed second on day one in EnduroGP before racing to victory on day two, while also dominating both days of the Enduro2 category.
- Important EnduroGP win for Verona in Portugal
- Double Enduro2 class victory at round five
- Verona closes in Enduro2 championship lead
After leading his country to victory at the FIM 6DAYS Enduro of Nations in Italy, Verona was eager to carry on that winning momentum at the fifth stop of the world championship in Portugal on his EC 450F.
Dry, dusty, and hot conditions were the order of the weekend for all in Vila de Rei, but the Italian was unfazed and was determined to put in a memorable ride. A strong start in the Friday Super Test saw Andrea secure the third quickest time, setting up a good position to attack from on day one.
Winning the opening special test on Saturday morning, Andrea was clearly on top form. Mastering the dust and never dipping outside of the top four on all of the day’s nine special tests, he finished a healthy runner-up in EnduroGP, while also claiming a well-deserved win in the Enduro2 class.
With more to give for day two, Verona again positioned himself in the battle for the overall win. A close fight with rivals Josep Garcia and Zach Pichon saw them separated by only four seconds at the end of lap one of two.
The GASGAS racer won the critical Cross Test on his EC 450F as they began lap two to close in on the overall lead. With the outcome of the day boiling down to the final Enduro Test, Verona won it by an incredible six seconds to ultimately take the EnduroGP victory, while also making it two wins from two starts in Enduro2.
That performance now sees the Italian jump up to second overall in the EnduroGP standings, along with moving to within four points of the championship lead in the Enduro2 class ahead of his home GP in Italy in two weeks’ time.
Andrea Verona: “It’s been a really strong weekend for me in Portugal. My feeling on the bike was very good and I could fight at the front a lot. The dry and dusty conditions seemed to work well for me and I was able to keep a good rhythm on both days. To get the victory in EnduroGP is mega, and it moves me back up to second in the championship. With two wins in Enduro2 I have been able to close the gap in the title fight a lot ahead of my home round in Italy, which of course, I’m looking forward to!”
Results: EnduroGP Round 5, Portugal
EnduroGP - Day One
1. Josep Garcia (KTM) 1:03:09.70
2. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 1:03:28.16
3. Zach Pichon (TM MOTO) 1:03:36.97
EnduroGP - Day Two
1. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 40:14.76
2. Josep Garcia (KTM) 40:21.36
3. Zach Pichon (TM MOTO) 40:32.80
Enduro2 - Day One
1. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 1:03:28.16
2. Zach Pichon (TM MOTO) 1:03:36.97
3. Theo Espinasse (Sherco) 1:04:31.74
Enduro2 - Day Two
1. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 40:14.76
2. Zach Pichon (TM MOTO) 40:32.80
3. Theo Espinasse (Sherco) 41:17.20
Championship Standings (After round 5)
EnduroGP
1. Josep Garcia (KTM) 186pts
2. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 157pts
3. Zach Pichon (TM MOTO) 155pts
Enduro2
1. Zach Pichon (TM MOTO) 182pts
2. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 178pts
3. Albin Norrbin (Fantic) 121pts