Valpacos, 1st October 2023
The race course, designed by the Motoclub "Usprigozus Clube TT de Vilarandelo" in collaboration with Track Inspector Maurizio Micheluz, included a natural Extreme Test of 1.7 km, very technical and characterized by challenging passages with the typical Portuguese rocks, an Enduro Test of 5.6 km, technical and not very fast on mostly hard and friable ground. In closing, a 4.6-kilometre Cross Test on the Valpaços Motocross track.
Albin Norrbin (Fantic Racing team) and Jed Etchells (JET Fantic Racing team) battled until the last breath and the last special test in the Junior class. They were the absolute protagonists: Jed won on Saturday with a one-second lead over Albin, who dominated on Sunday, winning seven of the eleven tests with a twenty-seven-second lead over the British champion, thanks to excellent times.
As of the conclusion of the Portuguese GP, Etchells holds the top spot in the provisional Junior rankings with 210 points. Norrbin is close behind with 200 points.
The 2022 Youth World Champion, Harry Edmondson (JET Fantic Racing), finished eighth and seventh in the Junior 1 class over the two days and tenth in the Junior class on Sunday.
Kevin Cristino's triumphant march continued in the Youth class. Riding the Fantic XE 125, the official Fantic rider won both days, Sunday by twenty-seven seconds. This splendid one-two catapults him closer to the final title, which could come next week, on Saturday, at the next GP in Portugal.
Team-mate Valentino Corsi finished the two days in fifth and fourth place.
A positive transfer for Lorenzo Macoritto (Fantic Racing), with sixth and seventh place in the E3 class.
The EnduroGP circus will move south of the Lusitanian land next week to Santiago do Cacem, where the second Portuguese GP will be held, the last and final one of the 2023 season.
Albin Norrbin (Fantic Racing): "The Portuguese weekend could also have had a better outcome with the victory on Saturday. Next weekend will be exciting, and I will give my all to win both titles."
Kevin Cristino (Fantic Racing): "I was comfortable in all three special tests and recorded good times. This one-two is very positive not only for the standing but also for morale."
Jed Etchells (JET Fantic Racing): "Next weekend will be challenging and demanding, and we will have to face it with total concentration. Everything went well here at Valpacos, and I had a good race."
Harry Edmondson (JET Fantic Racing): "We filed the first GP of Portugal with a good performance. We try to end this season with a good result at the next Portuguese GP."
