2023 FIM EnduroGP of Sweden Results

Cycle News Staff | June 5, 2023

Beta’s Steve Holcombe and KTM’s Josep Garcia both spent time at the top of the box during the FIM EnduroGP of Sweden, June 2-4. Garcia kicked things off with the overall victory on day one, but Holcombe came back to win day two.

Steve Holcombe at 2023 FIM EnduroGP of Sweden — **Steve Holcombe closed out the EnduroGP of Sweden with the win, padding his championship points lead.**

Photo by Future7Media

Going head-to-head with Beta’s Brad Freeman, Garcia narrowly beat his rival for the win on day one by just eight seconds after almost one hour and 30 minutes of timed racing. Proving just how tight the top three are in EnduroGP, Holcombe closed out the podium just 19 seconds behind his teammate Freeman.

“I felt good on the bike the whole day, which was important because the fight at the top is so tight,” said Garcia. “I had one crash, but luckily it wasn’t too major. I’m enjoying the battle now; everything is feeling good and I’m ready for more tomorrow.”

“It’s been good results all round, but I feel like I let that win slip away, if I’m honest about it,” said Freeman. “Josep and myself were battling every test and in the final enduro test I lost nine seconds and that was it.”

brad freeman — **In the championship standings, Freeman has pulled out to a substantial lead over his Beta teammate, Holcombe, 151-127**

“Finishing on the podium again is brilliant,” said Holcombe, “but I wasn’t quite able to get to Josep and Brad today. After walking all the tests, they didn’t cut in how I expected them to and I think that caught me off guard a bit. I’ll do some homework tonight and see if I can close the gap tomorrow.”

Garcia was again leading on day two when the KTM rider suffered a hard crash that took him out of the race. Unfortunately for the Spaniard, Garcia sustained a broken collarbone that will require surgery.

It turns out Holcombe did all his homework and emerged as the day’s winner after overtaking Freeman on the final lap. It was Holcombe’s first victory of 2023.

**After winning day one, day two looked to be in the bag also until Josep Garcia crashed badly out of the race in one of the enduro tests smashing his left shoulder and dislocating his elbow.**

RedMoto Honda’s Nathan Watson thrived in the Swedish terrain for third.

In the championship standings, Freeman has pulled out to a substantial lead over his Beta teammate, Holcombe, 151-127. Garcia is third with 112, and Verona is fourth with 108. Sherco’s Hamish MacDonald is fifth with 81 points. CN