With two weeks to go until the opening round of the FIM EnduroGP World Championship in Spain, Steve Holcombe enjoyed an added boost of confidence by taking the overall victory at the Italian Enduro Championships. Changing weather conditions made for a tough and demanding weekend of racing, with slippery, muddy conditions on Saturday, which dried to leave a chewed-up course for Sunday.
Using a wet and wild Saturday as an opportunity to gain some bonus race miles in the rain, Steve Holcombe was in flying form. Fastest in the opening special test set the tone that was to follow. Winning another four special tests, the Beta rider controlled a healthy lead to claim a strong 18-second margin of victory.
With conditions drying for day two, Holcombe put in another strong performance. Battling hard throughout, he consistently placed inside the top five in all but one special test. Holding onto second place, it was enough for him to secure the event’s overall win.
Steve Holcombe: “I’ve had a good weekend’s racing and it was cool to get the overall win too. Although conditions were tough and changeable, it was good preparation for EnduroGP. A day in the mud is always a real leveller and I’m really happy with how I rode in it. We made a few bike changes for Sunday that took a little time to adapt to during the morning. But I got into the swing of it in the second half of the day, picked up a test win and took second to secure the overall win. All in, I feel like it’s been a good off season. We’re just two weeks out from the EnduroGP opener in Spain and I just want to get cracking now!” (source: steve holcombe communication service)
STORY: Victory And Frustration For Steve Holcombe At 2022 Enduro-GP Opener (May 2022)
STORY: Ankle Injury Hampers Holcombe’s Estonia EnduroGP Performance (July 2021)
photos (c) Future7Media