Crucial comeback ride for Verona in Enduro2 title fight

Digesting the results from round five of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship in Portugal just gone and it’s clear that at this late stage in the season, the battle for Enduro2 supremacy is far from over.

Ahead of round five of seven, the GP of Portugal in Vila de Rei was a ‘make-or-break’ scenario for GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona. As the defending Enduro2 World Champion, the Italian trailed championship leader, TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Zach Pichon, by 10 points.

The previous GP of Wales had not gone in Verona’s favour. Mistakes happened and, compounded by Pichon storming ahead for a double win in Enduro2, it put Verona on the back foot.

Arriving at the GP of Portugal, the seven-time world champion knew there could be no more mistakes this time. Racing to victory each day in Enduro2, while capping things off with a win in EnduroGP, Verona delivered when it counted most.

“I lost a lot of points in Wales,” admitted Andrea prior to Sunday’s podium in Vila de Rei. “I needed to come back in a positive way here and I feel like I’ve done that.

“With two rounds and four race days to go, there is still a lot of racing left to be done. For sure, it will be a big battle, like it has been all year, but now we are closer to the championship fight.”

On day two, the battle for EnduroGP honours was outstanding between Verona and Pichon, and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia. At the end of lap one, Pichon led, with the trio separated by just four seconds.

At the close of lap two, victory swung in Verona’s favour, winning both the EnduroGP and Enduro2 classes. It was an impressive ride by the Italian to win in what’s so far been a season of exceptionally close racing from the trio.

“I really do enjoy these battles we are having,” he considers. “Racing like this gives a good mindset. You really need to focus on what you’re doing and you really need to push hard all of the time. It’s good to have this.”

Reducing his deficit from 10 points to four in Portugal, the timing of Verona’s Enduro2 wins couldn’t have been better, with a home round next on the cards for the Italian.

“It’s good to have a home GP next,” says Andrea, looking ahead to the penultimate round of the season. “With home crowd support, it helps you give that little bit extra. We just had the 6DAYS in Italy and that was amazing, and I know the world championship will be just as special.

“We were at this venue before some years ago for the Italian championship, so I know the region a little. It will be quite technical in places, so I’ll train towards that. For sure, it’s going to be another important race.”

The Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship now heads to the Polisport GP of Italy, for what will be the sixth and penultimate round of the season.

With the Enduro2 class set to go down to the wire between Pichon and Verona, we can be certain of more head-to-head action from the duo to come in Darfo Boario Terme, on 26-28 September.

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 Portugal – Vila de Rei – 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 Portugal – Vila de Rei – 12-14 September
Round 4: GP of Germany – Zschopau – 17-19 October