Story: Enduro GP
June 21, 2024

Round four of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship roared into life with CH Racing Sherco’s Hamish MacDonald fastest in the AKRAPOVIC Super Test at the POLISPORT GP of Italy.

• POLISPORT GP of Italy gets underway with AKRAPOVIC Super Test

• Thousands of spectators turn out to watch an exciting evening’s racing

• Hamish MacDonald sets the fastest time of the night

Already living up to its reputation as one of the most exciting rounds on the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship calendar, the POLISPORT GP of Italy saw thousands of spectators turn out to enjoy the Friday AKRAPOVIC Super Test in the centre of Bettola.

After an injury-hit round three, CH Racing Sherco’s Hamish MacDonald came out swinging and clocked a time that nobody could beat. Teammate Zach Pichon got closest to the New Zealander. Finishing half of a second behind, the Frenchman ensured a Sherco 1-2 result on the night.

Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Steve Holcombe was third fastest, placing less than two tenths of a second behind Pichon. Looking smooth and fast, the Brit will look to build on that strong start tomorrow.

TM MOTO’s Lorenzo Macoritto gave his home crowd something to cheer for, with the Italian finishing a very impressive fourth. Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman completed the top five, with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia just behind in sixth, despite a small error.

It was a frustrating start to his home round for GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona. The Italian fell, losing 10 seconds to MacDonald in the process. He will aim to rebound strongly tomorrow.

Gutish fastest in Enduro Women

With the Enduro Women making a return to racing for round four, it was Team KBS Sherco’s Rachel Gutish who was first to make her mark in Bettola. The American was perfect around the tight and technical AKRAPOVIC Super Test and set a time that couldn’t be matched.

RIEJU Factory Racing’s Mireia Badia finished second, but already has some ground to make up having ended her night five seconds behind Gutish. Rosie Rowett (RIEJU) placed just three seconds behind Badia in third to ensure competition will be tight tomorrow.

Joyon sets the fastest time in Enduro Junior

The GALFER FIM Junior Enduro World Championship category saw Team Beta Oxmoto’s Leo Joyon get his weekend off to a flying start with the fastest time. Motoclub RS 77’s Enrico Rinaldi, spurred on by his home crowd, rode strong for second position. Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Max Ahlin was just 15 hundredths of a second behind Rinaldi for third.

Hamish MacDonald: “I’m so happy. I’ve wanted to win a Super Test for so long. To get my first one is so cool, especially here at my team’s home race. It wasn’t a fast or long test, but you had to push hard with no mistakes. I’m stoked!”