The 2023 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship has drawn to a close with Beta Factory Racing’s Steve Holcombe clinching the EnduroGP title. The Brit capped off an exceptional season by also claiming the Enduro2 World Championship to become a nine-time world champion in Santiago do Cacem, Portugal.
And just like that the 2023 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship was brought to a close. The final day of racing in Santiago do Cacem for the seventh and final round of the season proved exciting as the remainder of this year’s world champions were crowned.
Trying to decide between pushing on for a top-three result or wrapping up the EnduroGP title, Holcombe wisely opted for the latter option in the closing stages of the day. Eventually slipping back to fifth in the closing stages, it was more than enough to see him crowned the 2023 EnduroGP World Champion, along with taking the Enduro2 world title.
Watson would stand firm in second to record his best result of the season. With Verona unable to get the better of the Honda rider, it saw Garcia capitalise on the result and end the season as runner-up to Holcombe in the final EnduroGP standings, beating Verona by just one point. Also enjoying a great end to his year, McCanney ended his day in fourth.
Steve Holcombe (Beta): “I was feeling the nerves today. It’s been a while since I was in this position of winning a title and I just wanted to get the job done and not make a mistake. I had a good start to the day then kinda lost my rhythm to the top guys in the middle of the day. But I knew where I needed to be, so I focused on that and brought the title home. Becoming EnduroGP and Enduro2 World Champion in one year is incredible. I never dreamt of being a nine-time world champion, so it’s going to take a while for this moment to sink in.”