Steve Holcombe has moved to the top of the 2017 EnduroGP World Championship standings following a near perfect weekend of racing at the Italian GP in Spoleto, central Italy. Claiming a first EnduroGP day win of 2017 on day one when he placed 11 seconds ahead of his Beta team-mate Alex Salvini, Steve then placed as runner-up to Frenchman Loic Larrieu on day two. With three rounds of the 2017 EnduroGP World Championship now complete Steve sits 21 points clear at the top of the premier class’ standings.

On day one Steve hit his stride at the end of the opening lap, winning the 11-minute long enduro test to position himself at the top of the time sheets close behind team-mate Alex Salvini. Keeping up the pressure during the closing special tests, Steve maximised on a mistake by Salvini to claim his maiden EnduroGP class win of 2017. On day two Steve remained consistent throughout the day, securing a well-deserved runner-up result to claim yet another strong haul of championship points.

Steve Holcombe said: “I’m more than pleased with how the GP of Italy has gone for me. Finishing one-two with my Beta team-mate Alex Salvini on day one, getting my first EnduroGP win of the season, moving into the lead of the EnduroGP standings, it’s been great. I had this event marked as one in which I wanted to fight for the win, and that’s what I managed to do. It really is a rewarding feeling to know that the work the team and myself put in since the GP of Spain has paid off. I feel for Matt Phillips, who was forced out on day one. It’s never nice to see a rider you’ve been battling with have a technical issue. But like I said, I’m just pleased that I was able to deliver the kind of result I hoped I would. There’s a long way to go in the championship, but I’ll keep working to be in the best possible shape for the next few GPs.”