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8 hours in the past | Phrases: Andy Wigan | Photographs: Future7Media
What a approach to cap off the 2023 EnduroGP season for Beta; profitable this yr’s EnduroGP (Outright), E2 and E3 class world titles, plus the coveted Constructors’ Championship. It was the resurgent Brit, Steve Holcombe, who actually spearheaded the Italian producer’s cost.
Holcombe got here into the season’s ultimate weekend of racing within the tiny southern Portuguese township of Santiago Do Cacem with snug 17- and 15-point margins within the EGP and E2 lessons, respectively, however the No.1 plates remained up for grabs and Holcombe certain needed to work for it. Regardless of a couple of uncharacteristic crashes and errors, Holcombe steadied the ship and fought again to go 2-3 within the E2 class and 3-5 in EuduroGP, and that was sufficient for him to clinch each the category and Outright titles aboard his Beta RR390 Racing machine. Extremely, this yr’s two title wins takes Holcombe’s world title tally to 9!
“I’m extraordinarily pleased as a result of the previous few seasons have been riddled with accidents,” beamed a champagne-drenched and clearly emotional Holcombe after Sunday’s racing, “whereas this yr I began from the primary GP sturdy and decided to win these two world titles on the finish of the season.”
In the meantime, Holcombe’s teammate and fellow Brit, Brad Freeman, posted a 1-6 scorecard within the E3 class on the Portuguese collection finale, hanging on by simply two factors so as to add one other World Championship class-win to his already spectacular tally. Nonetheless suffering from the continuing results of harm, Freeman may solely muster 10-0 leads to EnduroGP, which left him fourth within the Championship’s Outright standings this yr.
“It was a considerably sophisticated season,” stated a clearly dejected Freeman after what’s been a really difficult season. “I began off very sturdy profitable a couple of races, however then the harm occurred and the break through the summer time was not very useful. Anyway, we ended with a victory within the E3 class, which is one thing.”
Additionally worthy of point out for Beta are the performances of Crew Beta OxMoto Officiel France, with Leo Joyon and Theophile ending second place within the World Championship’s Youth and E1 lessons, respectively.
2023 ENDUROGP CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (FINAL)
ENDURO1
1. Josep Garcia (ESP), KTM – 249 factors
2. Theophile Espinasse (FRA), Beta – 203 factors
3. Jamie McCanney (GBR), Husqvarna – 200 factors
4. Zachary Pichon (FRA), Sherco – 197 factors
5. Matteo Pavoni (ITA), TM Racing – 154 factors
ENDURO2
1. Steve Holcombe (GBR), Beta – 260 factors
2. Andrea Verona (ITA), GASGAS – 247 factors
3. Hamish MacDonald (NZL), Sherco – 188 factors
4. Nathan Watson (GBR), Honda – 178 factors
5. Samuele Bernardini (ITI), Honda – 153 factors
ENDURO3
1. Brad Freeman (GBR), Beta – 227 factors
2. Mikael Persson (SWE), Husq – 225 factors
3. Antoine Magain (BEL), Sherco – 160 factors
4. Morgan Lesiardo (ITI), Sherco – 139 factors
5. Matteo Cavallo (ITI), TM – 131 factors
ENDUROGP (OUTRIGHT)
1. Steve Holcombe (GBR), Beta – 222 factors
2. Josep Garcia (ESP), KTM – 210 factors
3. Andrea Verona (ITA), GASGAS – 209 factors
4. Brad Freeman (GBR), Beta – 169 factors
5. Hamish MacDonald (NZL), Sherco – 143 factors
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