Successfully defending their Vintage Veterans Trophy Team title, Team Italy’s Enrico Tortoli, Giorgio Grasso, and Tulio Pellegrinelli have once again proved their place as the top team at the FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy (EVT), winning the 2023 edition of the event in the Catalonian Pyrenees ahead of France and Germany.
With today’s final motocross races bringing the 2023 FIM EVT to a close, this year’s event was a huge success with close to two hundred and fifty riders coming together to celebrate vintage enduro motorcycles from the early 1970s through to the early 1990s.
As in previous editions, with the demanding second and third days complete, the fourth and final day saw all competitors participate in the closing motocross races. Knowing that any significant mistake might see France move into the lead, Italy’s golden trio did exactly what they needed to do to stay ahead and clinch the Vintage Veterans Trophy Team title.
“It’s great to be champions again,” said Team Italy Trophy Team rider Tulio Pellegrinelli. “This year we really had to work hard for our result. Yes, in 2022 things came quite easily for us, but this year we really had to be at our best. Team France made some smart choices regards classes, which was helping them be at the front. We really needed to do everything well during the four days. Both Giorgio and Enrico have ridden well, and again today they did everything well. It’s incredible for us. We have to say a big, big thanks to all of the Italian riders here, and of course all of our mechanics and supporters. It’s been a great edition of the FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy.”
Behind Italy, France secured the runner-up result, pushing Germany, who placed as runners-up last year, down into third. With little to separate Italy and France, Germany eventually placed some distance behind France. Team USA claimed fourth to finish as the first non-European squad. Portugal, Canada, host nation Spain, Switzerland, Austria, and England rounded out the top ten.
In the FIM Vintage Silver Vase Team competition, it was all-Kramer riding trio of Peter Zink, Jurgen Althaus, and Ole Fleischer of Germany Team 1 who topped the final class results. Italian team Pantera 2 finished as runners-up with France Enduro V placing third.
The FIM Vintage Women’s Club Team award was won by Equip Femeni FC with Rosa Romero finishing as the fastest women competitor ahead of her teammates Mireia Badia and Judit Sola.
In the Vintage Club Team competition LMO AICS Racing topped the bill ahead of R. Solution France, with Germany Club 1 placing third. In the individual class Italy’s Andrea Belotti put his Honda at the top of the results.
Just as Team Italy repeated their win from twelve months ago in the Vintage Veterans Trophy Team, American Fred Hoess completed the event as the outright fastest competitor to take top honours in the FIM Vintage Individual award. “It’s been an amazing event, with some of the best riding I’ve done for a long time.” Commented Fred at the finish of the fourth and final day. “It’s also been pretty tough. Vintage bikes are built tough but there’s a fine line when it comes to making things too difficult.
“The organisers here got things 100% right – the trails, the tests, everything has been perfect. The scenery has been incredible. I had a small issue early on day three when I managed to get a little lost, but maybe a little stress helps you ride faster. I didn’t think I’d be able to win again, but it’s great to have achieved that. As a team, we also had a great result, which makes all the hard work worth it.”
For full FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy results check out http://www.cronooffroad.com/
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