Exciting Battles Ahead at Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship in Romania

This weekend marks an important milestone for the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship as he returns to Romania with great excitement after more than ten years. The city of Bacau will host the third round of the competition, bringing the exciting competition back to an area with a rich motorsport history.

The tournament goes to Romania with a fierce battle at the top. Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Steve Holcombe and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia are currently tied on points in the EnduroGP standings, each with two wins this season. The stage is set for a showdown where one driver could take a clear lead in the points race.

The competition is getting more intense

The Super Test AKRAPOVIC will open the race on Friday night near the Bacau Business and Exhibition Center. Garcia, who previously dominated Friday’s trials, is aiming for a hat-trick of wins in these crucial opening challenges. The weekend then takes place over two grueling days of racing, with each day requiring riders to cover the 54km course three times, meaning six hours of driving each day.

The technically demanding course includes several tests such as the ACERBIS Cross test, the POLISPORT Extreme test and the MAXXIS Enduro test. Each section will challenge the riders’ stamina and skills, providing an exciting spectacle.

Key players and possible outcomes

Although Holcombe and Garcia are the main players, they have strong competition. GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona and Beta Factory Racing’s Nathan Watson were often close rivals, often finishing just seconds behind the leaders. Both are well positioned to fight for the top spot in Bacau.

Injuries and illness affected the performance of some riders early in the season, especially Beta’s Brad Freeman, who is keen to get back into shape and fight for wins again. Samuele Bernardini and Jamie McCanney are also drivers to keep an eye on as both have shown podium potential this season.

Class struggle and competition dynamics

Holcombe and Garcia are also neck and neck in the Enduro1 class, with Jamie McCanney close behind in third. In the Enduro2 class, Andrea Verona leads with three wins, although Nathan Watson and Samuele Bernardini remain strong contenders.

In Enduro3, TM Racing’s Matteo Cavallo takes the lead but there is strong competition from Hamish MacDonald and Brad Freeman, with just a few points separating the main contenders.

Youth and youth competitions

The GALFER FIM Junior Enduro World Championship sees a close race with Axel Semb leading a competitive pack. The Enduro Youth category, led by Manuel Verzeroli, is also very competitive, with several young riders proving that they can fight for the top spots.

As the EnduroGP World Championship prepares for an exciting weekend in Bacau, the stage is set not only for individual glory, but also for ongoing battles across different classes. With the championship returning to Romania, drivers will not only be fighting for points, but also making history in one of the sport’s most prestigious arenas.