The WPTGlobal FIM EnduroGP World Championship gears up for the seventh and deciding round of the 2022 series this weekend as the championship visits the iconic enduro loving town of Zschopau in Germany. Set to be a thrilling end to what’s been an incredible season of racing, with the prestigious EnduroGP category yet to be decided, it’s GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona who leads the way as he bids to establish himself as one of Italy’s best ever enduro racers. Fantic’s Jane Daniels has dominated the Magnorange FIM Women Enduro Championship throughout 2022. Unbeaten so far, the British rider is looking to successfully defend her crown by capping off a perfect winning season.

 

While both the Enduro1 and Enduro Junior titles were wrapped up last time out in Hungary by Verona and Sherco Factory Racing’s Zach Pichon respectively, the remaining categories have yet to be claimed, ensuring some titanic battles will be played out in Zschopau.

  • Andrea Verona looks to clinch debut FIM EnduroGP title in Germany
  • Jane Daniels aims to complete perfect season in Enduro Women
  • Iconic German event set to bring thrilling 2022 EnduroGP season to a close

After 12 days of amazing racing, the 2022 WPTGlobal FIM EnduroGP World Championship comes to a close this weekend in Zschopau, Germany. An area steeped in enduro history, Zschopau last hosted an EnduroGP round in 2017, while the FIM ISDE has visited the Saxony region numerous times. A favourite among riders and enduro fans thanks to its challenging forest terrain, this weekend’s event is set to close out what’s been a super-competitive EnduroGP season in style.

Verona marching towards debut EnduroGP title

At the head of the EnduroGP classification, Italy’s Andrea Verona (GASGAS) looks poised to add the overall title to the Enduro1 championship and the Akrapovic Super Test award he earned last time out in Hungary. A model of consistency throughout 2022, the super-smooth Italian has only once fallen outside the top three this season, building himself a healthy 28-point lead heading into the final round.

Enjoying a generous points advantage, Verona can clinch the title on Saturday, at the end of the first full day of competition. If nearest rival Wil Ruprecht (TM Racing) wins, he must finish fourth or better to wrap things up with one day of competition remaining. Sitting second overall in the EnduroGP standings, Ruprecht has been impressive this year with five wins to his credit. However, misfortune and crashes have proved costly to his title hopes. With nothing to lose, the Australian will be going all out to win.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia is the only other rider with a mathematical chance of denying Verona the title. However, the Spaniard trails the Italian by 38 points. While it would be a tall ask for the KTM star to lift the crown, he is only 10 points behind Ruprecht. Honda RedMoto World Enduro’s Nathan Watson sits eight points behind Garcia in fourth. A strong end to the season for Watson could see the final podium order reshuffled in Germany.

Behind the top four are three danger men in the form of Thomas Oldrati (Honda) and Beta Factory Racing’s Steve Holcombe and Brad Freeman, who could all play a major role in the outcome of the results in Zschopau. All three are chasing their first race victory of the season and are likely to excel in the tough terrain expected at round seven.

While Verona has already clinched the Enduro1 title, the remainder of the championship podium is undecided. Oldrati holds down second, with TM Racing’s Matteo Cavallo 24 points behind in third.

The Enduro2 category is led by Ruprecht. The Australian holds a healthy 12-point lead over Watson, with Garcia a further nine points behind in third.

The Enduro3 championship chase will be the most hotly contested at the EnduroGP of Germany. Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Mikael Persson leads by just three points from defending champion Freeman. On the cusp of a debut world title, Persson will be pushing for all his worth, hoping to keep the multi-time world champion at bay.

Daniels closes in on Enduro Women’s crown

In the Magnorange FIM Women Enduro Championship, Jane Daniels (Fantic) is in control of the points lead. The British rider has won all three rounds so far in 2022 and will aim for a clean sweep in Germany as she bids for her third world title.

Spain’s Mireia Badia (Rieju) sits second overall. The Spaniard has finished as runner-up to Daniels each time out this year and would love to get a race win in the bag before the year is over. The battle for the final step of the podium is tight with Rosie Rowett (KTM) and Rita Vieira (Yamaha) tied on points.

Thanks to his double victory in Hungary, France’s Zach Pichon (Sherco) was able to wrap up the Enduro Junior category one round early. While also hoping to add the Junior1 title to his name, Pichon will look to sign off on his terrific debut Junior season with another win. In the Junior2 class, Luc Fargier (Beta) leads the way with a 31-point lead over closest rival Max Ahlin (Beta).

The Enduro Youth class sees Fantic’s Harry Edmondson in charge. The Brit tops the classification by a sizeable 19 points over his Italian teammate Kevin Cristino. Cristino must aim to win on Saturday in order to keep his title hopes alive in Germany. The final step of the podium looks set to be fought out between Samuli Puhakainen (TM Racing) and Giraudon Thibault (Sherco).

The seventh and final round of the WPTGlobal FIM EnduroGP World Championship gets underway this Friday, October 14 in Zschopau with the AKRAPOVIC Super Test.

Stay tuned to www.endurogp.com throughout the weekend for championship updates and live results, and to @enduro_gp on Instagram for event story content.