There is a lot to unpack from the opening round of the 2025 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship in Portugal. But one rider who stepped to the forefront of it all is TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Zach Pichon.

In the past, we’ve seen flashes of brilliance from the 2022 Junior Enduro World Champion. His Akrapovič Super Test victory at the season ending GP of France in 2024 was the most recent, but this weekend’s ride at the GP of Portugal in Fafe was different. We saw a new Zach Pichon emerge.

Zach’s offseason switch from Sherco to TM MOTO, and their potent TM 300 4T, was one of much interest. Was it the change he needed to become one of EnduroGP’s big-four riders? Already that question has been answered with a resounding YES!

A maiden EnduroGP podium on Saturday was swiftly backed up by a debut EnduroGP victory on Sunday. By this performance alone, it’s clear the Frenchman has made a statement.

“It was a long day,” told Zach, moments after winning his first EnduroGP race on Sunday evening. “Steve (Holcombe) was fast in the morning, but when he retired on the second lap, it gave me the opportunity to be on top. I kept focused and did the job. I’m really, really happy.”

“For sure we worked a lot this winter with my team, my Dad and my trainer. The bike is amazing, and since I stepped onto it, I could feel the difference. I knew my speed and my fitness were good coming here, but it’s still a surprise to win.”

The GP of Portugal proved a key test of both rider and machine for the season opener. The ACERBIS Cross Test and Gmoto Enduro Test were long, fast, and developed deep ruts and brutal bumps. The Polisport Extreme Test was filled with super-technical rock slabs.

Across the 19 special tests raced in Fafe, only once did Zach place outside the top five, but more impressively, he only placed outside of the top three on three occasions.

“I used to ride a four-stroke in motocross, so I feel happy to be back on one again,” confirmed Zach. “The conditions of the special tests this weekend were so rough and fast, but the engine just pulls.

“This result has been two or three years coming, coming, coming. But I’m happy, I think the step that I needed to take has come with the new bike.”

Of course this is only the first round in what will be a long and competitive Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship, but it already looks like both Zach Pichon and TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team are on the right path to shake things up in 2025.

2025 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship

Round 1: GP of Portugal – Fafe – 4-6 April
Round 2: GP of Spain – Oliana – 2-4 May
Round 3: GP of Sweden – Skövde – 23-25 May
Round 4: GP of Wales – Rhayader – 1-3 August
Round 5: GP of France – Réquista – 12-14 September
Round 6: GP of Italy – Darfo Boario Terme – 26-28 September
Round 7: GP of Germany – Zschopau – 17-19 October

2025 Expotrade FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship

Round 1: GP of Portugal – Fafe – 4-6 April
Round 2: GP of Wales – Rhayader – 1-3 August
Round 3: GP of France – Réquista – 12-14 September
Round 4: GP of Germany – Zschopau – 17-19 October