FREEMAN & HOLCOMBE SHINE AT ENDUROGP SERIES OPENER

Last weekend saw the official opening of the 2023 EnduroGP season at Arma di Taggia (Italy) – the location of the long-awaited event which, as usual, attracted a large and festive crowd throughout the entire race weekend.

The Italian GP gave the Beta Factory riders the opportunity to measure themselves against a course of over 40km, which included several very technical tests, where experience and control played a key role in the results. Three special tests were scheduled, to be run four times a day, for a total 24 special tests throughout the race weekend.

The race opened on both days with a 2km Cross Test on the beach of Arma di Taggia; followed by a 7km-long Enduro Test with hard terrain and plenty of natural obstacles inside a forest; and an Extreme Test at the end of the lap, as spectacular as it was treacherous due to its climbs and descents, and the way its hard and dusty terrain alternated with loose rocks for a total of 2.4km.

Brad Freeman impressed everyone from the very first special test and demonstrated his return to fitness and form with an excellent performance on both race days. The British rider literally dominated the EnduroGP Class, recording six best Overall times in the 12 special tests held on Saturday. At the end of the weekend, Brad Freeman leads with full points in both the EnduroGP Class and the E3 Class, winning both race days.

Beta’s bodacious Brits, Brad Freeman and Steve Holcombe, kicked their 2023 EnduroGP season off with a bang!

Freeman’s teammate and fellow Brit, Steve Holcombe, also did well in the EnduroGP Class. He collected two third places in the top class and two second places in the E2 Class, also winning several special tests. On both race days, Holcombe fought for the top positions, even leading the E2 Class classification for a good part of the race when, due to a mistake, he lost precious seconds that relegated him behind his direct competitor, Andrea Verona.

Brad Freeman: “It was important to start with a good result at the first round of the World Championship and I am happy with the result over the weekend. We will arrive in Spain as the leader of the EnduroGP Championship and the E3 Class, but we have to stay focused until the end.”

Steve Holcombe: “I am satisfied with the race in Arma di Taggia, but I have some regrets because second place in the EnduroGP and first place in the E2 Class was always close at hand. Now maximum concentration is required for the next appointments because the World Championship is long, and the level of the top riders is very high.”