2022 FIM EnduroGP of Spain Results

Cycle News Staff | May 10, 2022

Andrea Verona and Josep Garcia fired the first shots in the 2022 FIM EnduroGP Championship at the GP of Spain, May 7-8.

The 2022 FIM EnduroGP World Championship got underway with the running of the GP of Spain, featuring the drool-worthy backdrop of Spain’s northwest region. Factory Beta’s Brad Freeman crests a climb en route to third on day two of the event.

Photos by Future7Media

The opening day (Saturday) boiled down to a three-way battle involving the Italian, Verona, Britain’s Steve Holcombe and Australia’s Will Ruprecht. And Spaniard Josep Garcia was always lurking, as well. Holcombe threw the first punch in the opening test, but positions constantly changed throughout the day. Going into the final test of the day, just two seconds separated Holcombe, Ruprecht and Verona for the win. Verona, on the factory GasGas, emerged as the EnduroGP overall victor for the day, ahead of Beta’s Holcombe and TM’s Ruprecht.

“It feels amazing to get my first victory in the EnduroGP class,” Verona said. “This year my goal was to try and win EnduroGP at least once, so to do it on day one is incredible. Hopefully this is just the start of more victories to come.”

Andrea Verona at 2022 FIM EnduroGP of Spain — **Italian Andrea Verona is the early points leader in the EnduroGP Championship after a strong start in Spain.**

“Things started off great on the first extreme test, but I had a massive crash on the next cross test,” runner-up Holcombe said. “But I’m pleased with how I regrouped and was able to get back in the battle for the win. I’m a bit gutted to have missed out at the end, but I’m fired up to go again tomorrow!”

“What a way to open the season, it was crazy close all day!” said the Aussie, Ruprecht. “I am happy with how I’m riding, so I’m pleased to be on the podium in this company. I’ll regroup and get ready to go again tomorrow.”

But it was the home favorite Garcia topping the day on Sunday. The KTM rider dominated, taking a clear win by over 20 seconds.

“It’s fantastic to come away with the EnduroGP win today,” Garcia said. “I was riding good yesterday, but an early crash left me playing catch up. I didn’t want that to happen today, so I kept things clean on the first lap. Once I got into the lead it gave me confidence to push a little more.”

The battle for second, however, was so clear, with just 0.080 seconds separating Verona and defending EnduroGP champ Brad Freeman, it was a duel to the end. Day-one winner Verona blitzed the final test, topping Freeman, ninth on Saturday, by four seconds.

Josep Garcia at 2022 FIM EnduroGP of Spain — **Josep Garcia came away with the victory on day two.**

Holcombe fell early in the day, tweaking his wrist and dropping down in the field.

Verona finished out the weekend as the EnduroGP points leader.

“It’s been a great weekend and to start the championship off by taking an early lead in the points is incredible,” said Verona. “The tests were tough to master and it’s been a real challenge. Today we had a big fight for the podium. Josep was just a little faster, but I gave it everything on the final test to get second.”

Brad Freeman at 2022 FIM EnduroGP of Spain — **Defending champ Brad Freeman got on the podium on day two.**

Holcombe was hoping for a better start to his season. “It’s not really been the start to the championship I hoped for, but I’m glad to have turned things around today,” Holcombe said. “I gave it everything on the final lap, but I just came up a little short for second. To be honest, following my recent injury and catching Covid, it’s the best I can do at the minute. It’s still early days, so we’ll try to improve a little bit more in Portugal.” CN