Heavy rain drenched the course during the week leading up to the event making day one a challenge as the soft Portuguese soil became so cut up, sections of the transfer stages and special tests were almost unpassable. Given the terrible conditions, event organisers decided to reduce the racing on day one back to two laps.
On day one, Phillips aboard his Sherco was locked in battle with fellow front runner Mathias Bellino, with class rookie and Enduro 3 rider Steve Holcombe also showing some promise for a podium finish. Tough conditions got the better of Holcombe and mistakes saw him eventually settle for third overall while Phillips would take first in Enduro 2 and the overall, ahead of Bellion in second.
Day two saw Holcombe navigate the muddy track better than any other rider and claim the day’s overall aboard his Beta. Phillips couldn’t repeat his success from day one and would finish sixth on the day but his closest rival, Mathias Bellino had a mistake filled day and placed ninth. This gave Phillips enough time to take the weekend’s overall win.
Phillips leads the 2016 FIM EnduroGP points standings going into next round in Grevena, Greece May 20.
Day Two Highlights.
Australia’s Matt Phillips overcame testing conditions in the FIM EnduroGP of Portugal to claim his second win for the 2016 season.
Heavy rain drenched the course during the week leading up to the event making day one a challenge as the soft Portuguese soil became so cut up, sections of the transfer stages and special tests were almost unpassable. Given the terrible conditions, event organisers decided to reduce the racing on day one back to two laps.
On day one, Phillips aboard his Sherco was locked in battle with fellow front runner Mathias Bellino, with class rookie and Enduro 3 rider Steve Holcombe also showing some promise for a podium finish. Tough conditions got the better of Holcombe and mistakes saw him eventually settle for third overall while Phillips would take first in Enduro 2 and the overall, ahead of Bellion in second.
Day two saw Holcombe navigate the muddy track better than any other rider and claim the day’s overall aboard his Beta. Phillips couldn’t repeat his success from day one and would finish sixth on the day but his closest rival, Mathias Bellino had a mistake filled day and placed ninth. This gave Phillips enough time to take the weekend’s overall win.
Phillips leads the 2016 FIM EnduroGP points standings going into next round in Grevena, Greece May 20.
Day Two Highlights.
