The sixth and final round of the FIM Enduro World Championship took place in Langeac, a small village in the region of Haute-Loire, France, wrapping up a tough season that always featured Kiwi sensation Hamish Macdonald.
This event was staged just a few kilometres from Le Puy-en-Velay, where the next International Six Days Enduro will be held.
The Motoclub Haut-Allier has created a course with three special tests and a race in real traditional enduro style with extremely technical and fast special tests.
In the Enduro GP the official Beta rider Brad Freeman (pictured here) became world champion at the end of two very demanding days of competition and he finished the season as a real star.
The British rider is now a seven-time FIM Enduro World Champion.
“I wanted to go for the win today to take the title,” said Freeman. “I knew ninth place would be enough to get the job done, but that’s not my style or how I like to ride, so I just went for it.
“With two tests to go I had a good lead and then rode it home. I’m so happy with this year and how it’s gone. I feel like there’s a massive weight lifted off my shoulders now. I’m the EnduroGP World Champion and that’s an awesome feeling!”
Gas Gas Factory rider Andrea Verona is for the second consecutive time World Champion in the E1 class. Verona battled until Saturday with Davide Guarneri, Fantic Factory Team E/50 Racing, the former motocross star eventually becoming E1 vice-champion.
Spain’s Josep Garcia (Red Bull KTM) was crowned E2 world champion at the end of the first day of competition, Steve Holcombe (Team Beta Factory Enduro) taking second place and Nathan Watson (Team Honda RedMoto) taking third place on day two.
With Garcia pulling clear for victory, Holcombe took a strong second, but the fight for third was incredibly close, with Honda’s Nathan Watson beating Christchurch man Hamish MacDonald (Sherco) by eight tenths of a second. Will Ruprecht (TM) completed the top five.
The 24-year-old Garcia also claimed the runner-up position in the Enduro GP category, concluding a successful enduro season in which he also won the prestigious International Six Days of Enduro overall.
Meanwhile, Freeman was once again crowned E3 World Champion with a day to spare after a dominant season in which he won every day of the competition.
In the Junior class, Jed Etchell, Fantic Darpa Racing Team, took his first win of the season on day one while on the following day he took third place.
Photo courtesy KTM Europe
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2021 RESULTS/STANDINGS:
EnduroGP:
- FREEMAN Brad
- GARCIA Josep
- VERONA Andrea
Class E1:
- VERONA Andrea
- GUARNERI Davide
- BERNARDINI Samuele
Class E2:
- GARCIA Josep
- RUPRECHT Will
- HOLCOMBE Steve
- MACDONALD Hamish (NZ)
Class E3:
- FREEMAN Brad
- BETRIEU Jaume
- MCCANNEY Daniel
Class Junior:
- PAVONI Matteo
- MACORITTO Lorenzo
- LE QUERE Leo
Class Youth:
- NORRBIN Albin
- CRISTINO Kevin
- EDMONDSON Harry