Enduro

Steve Holcombe wins day two of Acerbis GP of Italy

Mechanical issue sees Matt Phillips DNF

Posted:

Monday, July 18th, 2016

10:33 AM

Steve Holcombe (Beta) has claimed the outright EnduroGP class victory on day two of the Acerbis GP of Italy, ending the penultimate round of the series ahead of Finn Eero Remes (TM) and Frenchman Loic Larrieu (Yamaha).

Battling throughout the day with Remes, the young Brit kept his nerve to claim his fourth overall win of the championship to date. EnduroGP championship leader Matt Phillips saw his day end in disappointment as the Tasmanian was forced to retire with a mechanical issue. With conditions improving throughout day one following heavy rain prior to the event, day two took place under blue skies with the once slippery motocross test baked hard by the hot Italian sun. Just as on day one the enduro test proved decisive and just like on day one there were plenty of surprises. Holcombe

Enduring more than his fair share of bad luck this season, Steve Holcombe hit the ground running on day two to deliver the fastest time during the opening enduro test. Although not winning any further tests in the EnduroGP class he remained fast and consistent and claimed an eventual 20-second margin of victory.

Day two winner Steve Holcombe

‰ÛÏAll GPs are important but to be able to give my team a winning result at their home round of the series is great,‰Û

Eero Remes comfortably topped the Enduro 1 class

Unable to match Remes‰Ûª speed Nathan Watson nevertheless put a frustrating opening day‰Ûªs performance behind him to finish second. Performing well on all tests, especially the extreme test, Nathan placed 31 seconds ahead of Danny McCanney (Husqvarna) who like Nathan bounced back from a disappointing first day. Failing to finish day one, Pascal Rauchenecker (Husqvarna) placed fourth ahead of Italians Alessandro Battig (Honda) and Rudy Moroni (KTM). Remes

Helped by the DNF of Matt Phillips, Loic Larrieu picked up the Enduro 2 class win finishing just over one-and-a-half seconds ahead of countryman Mathias Bellino. Despite Bellino setting the fastest time in the event‰Ûªs closing extreme test, Larrieu had done enough earlier in the day to claim a hard fought win.

‰ÛÏI‰Ûªm really pleased that the GP of Italy has ended in such a positive way for me because it certainly didn't start like that,‰Û

Loic Larrieu picked up the Enduro 2 class win finishing just over one-and-a-half seconds ahead of countryman Mathias Bellino

Riding as the newly crowned Enduro Junior World Champion Giacomo Redondi (Honda) secured yet another day win to continue his unbeaten run in 2016. Close to one-and-a-half minutes ahead of Spaniard Josep Garcia (Husqvarna) Giacomo topped all but three of the day‰Ûªs special tests in the junior class.

‰ÛÏIt‰Ûªs been a great Italian GP for me and the Honda team. Today was a great day, without any pressure. After winning the title on day one I didn't have to worry about anything and I really relaxed. I enjoyed the day and the race. Now I can go to France and try and finish a perfect season.‰Û