In complete contrast to the sub-zero conditions at the opening round of the 2017 EnduroGP World Championship series in Finland, the AMV GP of Spain served up extreme dust as the world’s best enduro racers battled not only one another but also the hugely challenging, arid Spanish terrain.
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Locked in a two-rider battle with Steve Holcombe (Beta) the Tasmanian did just enough to top the results, placing less than three seconds ahead of his British rival. “Man, that was a tough day,” admitted Phillips. “I don’t think I’ve ever ridden a track as rutted and beat up as that. The tests were difficult because the ground was so soft and dusty, but I think the time controls were even harder. Steve rode great today, it was cool to be battling with him. We both pushed so hard, it was so close all through the day.”
Best finishing two-stroke rider in the EnduroGP class, Steve Holcombe kept the pressure up on Phillips winning three tests including the closing Motocross Test. Nathan Watson (KTM) rounded out the EnduroGP podium despite a nasty crash during the third and final lap, finally finishing ahead of team-mate Christophe Nambotin (KTM) by less than one-and-a-half seconds.
Day 2 was a hard-fought victory for Phillips being pushed every step of the way by both Christophe Nambotin (KTM) and Steve Holcombe (Beta). The Sherco rider would win by the smallest of margins placing 0.29 seconds ahead of Nambotin with Holcombe less than one-second behind.
“It’s been an awesome weekend for me and the Sherco guys,” commented Phillips. “I can’t remember the last time it was that close between three guys for the win. It was tough, we were all giving it everything and I enjoyed the close competition. I lost about 11 seconds during the first two special tests, so I had some work to do after that. I just kept pushing and pushing and got back level with Nambo’ and Steve and finally things came good. I can’t ask for more than two wins.”
A new name topped the Enduro 2 class on day two – that of E2 class round one winner Eero Remes (TM). With day one victor Josep Garcia (KTM) encountering some technical issues, Remes wasted little time in opening up what become a commanding lead at the top of the 250cc class. Winning four of the day’s seven special tests Remes wrapped up his third day win of the series to extend his lead at the top of the E2 championship standings.
Phillips leads the Enduro GP standings on 88 points ahead of Steve Holcombe on 80 and Antti Hellsten on 74.
Ben Kearns in his first Enduro GP appearance placed outside the top-10 in the Junior class aboard the all-new Sherco 125 SE-R.
