A dramatic late charge by GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona saw the Italian take victory on day two at round two of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship.
- Verona’s thrilling late push secures EnduroGP win
- Debut EnduroGP podium for Samuele Bernardini with third
- Adverse weather causes disruption in Oliana, Spain
After picture-perfect weather on day one at the GP of Spain for round two of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship, day two was the polar opposite. Forecasted adverse weather conditions rang true, bringing torrential rain and flooding throughout Saturday night and into Sunday morning.
Intense work by promoters Prime Stadium Eventos, event organisers Moto Club Segre and the FIM, ensured racing could continue. Revising the course layout and delaying the start allowed the weather to improve, creating better conditions for all.
Verona pounces to claim dramatic EnduroGP victory
Remaining unfazed by the changes in weather, terrain and schedule, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia attacked hard from the word go on day two. Fastest in the opening POLISPORT Extreme Test and ACERBIS Cross Test, he ended a revised lap one as the early leader. Closing out lap two with a win in the first timed run of the GMOTO Enduro Test, the Spaniard built up a 30-second lead over GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona.
The battle for third was intense, with just one second separating three riders. Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Samuele Bernardini held an eight-hundredths of a second advantage over Sherco Racing Factory’s Hamish Macdonald in fourth, with Triumph Italia Racing’s Morgan Lesiardo nine tenths of a second back in fifth. Unfortunately, TM MOTO Boano Factory Racing’s Zach Pichon proved the biggest casualty of the test. Getting stuck on a climb, the Frenchman slipped from third down to 21st.
As the day progressed, Verona made some inroads into Garcia’s lead, reducing it to 18 seconds with two tests remaining. Nursing an injured foot, Garcia lost more time on the GMOTO Enduro Test, arriving at the final ACERBIS Cross Test of the day with just sixth tenths of a second in hand over Verona.
Verona knew it was his time to attack. Placing third to Beta Factory Enduro Team’s Nathan Watson, and Pichon, on the final test, he beat Garcia by over one second to take a dramatic victory.
For Garcia, hopes of a double EnduroGP win slipped away. The lost time on the final GMOTO Enduro Test saw the majority of his good work undone. And with Verona getting the measure of him on the final test, he was forced to settle for second.
As exciting as the battle for the victory was, the fight for the final step of the podium was electric too. As the latter half of the day progressed, Bernardini and Lesiardo were joined by Sherco Racing Factory’s Antoine Magain, with Macdonald slipping down the running order.
Holding firm, Honda mounted Bernardini kept the duo at bay to claim his debut EnduroGP podium result. Magain worked his way past Lesiardo to claim fourth, with Lesiardo narrowly holding off a late push from Watson to seal fifth, in what was a career-best result.
Verona takes his first Enduro2 win of the season
As the EnduroGP winner, Verona also claimed the Enduro2 class win. Earning his first victory of the season, the Italian put his wealth of experience to use in the tricky conditions to top the podium by 56 seconds. Behind him, Watson took the runner-up result, with Sherco Racing Factory’s Theo Espinasse securing his first podium of the season with third.
Although disappointed about missing the EnduroGP victory, Garcia could still be happy to have won the Enduro1 class. Bernardini, spurred on by his overall EnduroGP podium, put in an excellent ride for second. Lesiardo was another rider to capitalise on the difficult conditions and claimed his second Enduro1 podium of the season with third.
The Enduro3 class saw Magain end his teammate Macdonald’s win streak. The Belgian made best of the difficult conditions to claim the victory. After losing time to Magain midway through the day, Macdonald fought back to close the gap, but it wasn’t enough and he had to settle for second. TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Leo Le Quere placed third for the second time in Spain.
Semb and Joyon battle for Junior class win
As on day one, it was Fantic Factory Racing Team’s Axel Semb who emerged victorious on day two in the FIM Junior Enduro World Championship. Rain or shine, the young Swede proved in Oliana that he’s back on top form and riding high on confidence.
However, he had to work hard for his win today. Ox Moto Beta’s Leo Joyon was the early pace setter, winning the first four special tests to take up the lead in the Junior class. But an incredible run through the second GMOTO Enduro Test saw Semb overhaul his 14-second deficit to Joyon and take control of the race by nearly two seconds.
Throughout the remainder of the day, the duo fought head-to-head for the win. But as they cleared the final ACERBIS Cross Test, the victory was Semb’s by just four seconds. While missing the top step of the podium, Joyon could still be pleased with his strong ride for second.
Placing 42 seconds behind Semb and Joyon, Fantic Factory Racing Enduro Team Specia’s Kevin Cristino rounded out the podium in third. TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Manuel Verzeroli was fourth, with Thibault Giraudon (Sherco) fifth.
Scardina braves the mud to take victory in Youth class
Day two in Spain saw a new winner emerge in the FIM Youth Enduro World Championship. Fantic Factory Racing Enduro Team Specia’s Pietro Scardina was quickest to adapt to the muddy conditions and duly won the opening POLISPORT Extreme Test.
Third on the following ACERBIS Cross Test, the Italian found his flow after that and was never headed. Claiming six consecutive special test wins, he raced ahead to a 29-second margin of victory.
Behind him, day one winner Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Romain Dagna came home in second. The Frenchman never quite got the measure of Scardina today, despite his best efforts. TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Alberto Elgari finished 14 seconds behind Dagna to complete the top three.
After what has proven to be two days of contrasting weather at the GP of Spain for round two of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship, riders and fans can now look forward to round three’s POLISPORT GP of Sweden in Skövde on 23-25 May.
Andrea Verona (GASGAS): “It’s been a hard day on the trail. I’m really happy to get my first win of the year on the 450F. It wasn’t easy. It’s been a long day, so slippery on lap one, but got better as the day progressed. The Enduro Test was tough, the lines I checked last night helped me on the bigger bike. Slowly, we are getting there with a pace to fight at the front.”
Josep Garcia (KTM): “To be honest I was having a perfect day of racing, enjoying the muddy conditions. I had the gap out to 30 seconds. But on the penultimate Cross Test I hit the metal container with my right foot and crashed, which caused me a bit of pain. It’s disappointing to lose, but this championship is long.”
Samuele Bernardini (Honda): “I’m so happy, this is my first podium in EnduroGP class. I pushed as hard as I could today, trying all the time. I’m very happy with this result, thank you so much to my team.”
Axel Semb (Fantic): “To come back and win again feels really good. Conditions were much different than yesterday, but I pushed hard to do my best and was able to make the win happen.”
Pietro Scardina (Fantic): “Today was a difficult day, but I didn’t make a mistake and rode well. Without mistakes, I was able to win, unlike yesterday. So I learned a bit too. It’s good!”
Results: GP of Spain, Day 2
EnduroGP
1. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 53:21.67; 2. Josep Garcia (KTM) 53:23.11; 3. Samuele Bernardini (Honda) 53:57.31; 4. Antoine Magain (Sherco) 54:10.58; 5. Morgan Lesiardo (Triumph) 54:16.89; 6. Nathan Watson (Beta) 54:17.31; 7. Hamish Macdonald (Sherco) 54:17.79; 8. Mikael Persson (Triumph) 54:27.33; 9. Leo Le Quere (TM MOTO) 54:39.04; 10. Theo Espinasse (Sherco) 54:42.19…
Championship Standings (After round 2)
EnduroGP
1. Josep Garcia (KTM) 72pts; 2. Andrea Verona (GASGAS) 65pts; 3. Zach Pichon (TM) 56pts; 4. Hamish Macdonald (Sherco) 43pts; 5. Samuele Bernardini (Honda) 42pts; 6. Antoine Magain (Sherco) 42pts; 7. Nathan Watson (Beta) 35pts; 8. Mikael Persson (Triumph) 33pts; 9. Morgan Lesiardo (Triumph) 27pts; 10. Albin Norrbin (Fantic) 20pts…
Event Information: GP of Spain
Complete entry list for GP of Spain: HERE
Follow results from round two, 2-4 May: LIVE RESULTS
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2025 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship
Round 1: GP of Portugal - Fafe - 4-6 April
Round 2: GP of Spain - Oliana - 2-4 May
Round 3: GP of Sweden - Skövde - 23-25 May
Round 4: GP of Wales - Rhayader - 1-3 August
Round 5: GP of France - Réquista - 12-14 September
Round 6: GP of Italy - Darfo Boario Terme - 26-28 September
Round 7: GP of Germany - Zschopau - 17-19 October
2025 Expotrade FIM Women's Enduro World Championship
Round 1: GP of Portugal - Fafe - 4-6 April
Round 2: GP of Wales - Rhayader - 1-3 August
Round 3: GP of France - Réquista - 12-14 September
Round 4: GP of Germany - Zschopau - 17-19 October