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STEVE HOLCOMBE READY FOR 2017 ENDUROGP SEASON START

Steve Holcombe will get his participation in the 2017 FIM EnduroGP World Championship underway this coming weekend when the new look EnduroGP series kicks off in Vierukäki, Finland. With no Enduro 3 World Championship to defend following the restructuring of the classes ahead of the 2017 season, Steve will take to the start of the Finnish event as one of the favourites for EnduroGP championship honours.

Lining up for what is only his second full season of Enduro World Championship competition, Steve is among 23 riders competing in the new EnduroGP class. In total 263 international and national riders will compete in the event with Steve once again competing on a two-stroke Beta RR 300.

Since capturing the 2016 FIM Enduro 3 World Championship title Steve enjoyed a much-needed and well-deserved off-season break in New Zealand, where he also began his 2017 season preparations. Returning to Europe his time has been split between riding and testing in Italy and Spain, with a two-week stint in Finland ahead of the long awaited opening GP.

The first round of the 2017 EnduroGP series will see competitors complete more than 19 hours of racing across two days. Along the way Steve will complete no fewer than 26 special tests.

The 2017 Enduro World Championship starts in Finland before heading to Spain, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia, Portugal, Great Britain, Argentina and Germany.

Steve Holcombe: “It’s going to be a little strange returning to the Enduro World Championship and not competing in the Enduro 3 class, or having an Enduro 3 title to defend. But I’m really looking forward to the challenges the new EnduroGP class brings. It’s going to be a long and challenging season and I can't wait to get started. Obviously, the Finnish event will be very different to what I’m used to, to what most of the non-Scandinavians are used to, but I’ve spent a good amount of time riding in Finland in recent weeks and raced the opening two Finnish championship events. I know this coming weekend is going to be tough. 2016 was an incredible season for me, one I’ll never forget. But it’s all about looking forward now and getting stuck into the new championship. I feel really well prepared. I had a good break at the end of last year, and have been doing plenty of riding and testing with the team. With new-style races and events in countries I’ve not raced in before, I’m excited for the season ahead.”

Photo credit: Cristiano Morello & Future7Media