Double Delight For Ruprecht
At GP Of Portugal
T
M Racing's Wil Ruprecht
emerged victorious after a
fierce three-way scrap at the
GP of Portugal, taking a double
victory at the second stop of the
2022 EnduroGP World Cham-
pionship. The Australian topped
the time sheets on both days of
competition in the warm condi-
tions in Peso da Regua, May 14-
15, claiming his first wins of the
2022 season.
The battle for overall supremacy
was kept close by KTM's Josep
Garcia and GasGas rider Andrea
Verona, who ended the weekend
second and third, respectively.
Day one started out with a wet
and slippery start, and Hamish
MacDonald lead the way aboard
his Sherco. The young New Zea-
lander headed the field throughout
the first two (of three) circuits on
the four special tests, and looked
to be on his way to a career-first
EnduroGP victory until a hard
crash and subsequent knee injury
ended his weekend. Ruprecht
capitalized on MacDonald's mis-
fortune, inheriting the lead heading
into the final lap of the day. Garcia
gave chase, but couldn't close the
gap to Ruprecht. The Spaniard
ultimately had to settle for second
while Verona collected third over
Thomas Oldrati (Honda) and Brad
Freeman (Beta).
The four special tests were ef-
fectively beat up after day one, and
day two greeted riders with warm
and dry conditions. Three laps on
each day proved to be exception-
ally tough and demanding for the
competitors, and it's no surprise
the Aussie handled the arid terrain
the best, riding to a double victory.
Ruprecht opened day two by
topping the Just1 Enduro Test, pull-
ing over eight seconds on Garcia
with Verona in third. Three tests in,
the top three remained, but with
IN
THE
WIND
P44
Wil Ruprecht captured wins on
both days of the GP of Portugal,
marking his first EnduroGP
victories of the 2022 season.
PHOTOS: FUTURE7MEDIA
