There was international acclaim for last weekend’s Rhayader MC & LCC’s Enduro GP of Wales - which proved to be a great success.

The Olympics of World Enduro arrived in Wales when the penultimate round of the FIM World Championship based itself at Cwmythig Hill.

The Forsiteservices Enduro GP of Wales returned to the principality after a 15-year absence.

Having been preparing for this prestigious event over the last two years with major investment in new facilities of an administration/storage shed and access road at their Cwmythig Hill circuit, the acclamation was welcomed and justified the Club’s investment.

Based at Cwnythig Hill, a temporary expansive tented village welcomed visitors as they arrived at the paddock. Riders, teams and enthusiasts from all corners of the world descended to the area to watch the top enduro riders do battle over two days over a 45-mile loop repeated three times each day, in the area around Rhayader, Abbey Cwm Hir and Bwlch y Sarnau.

Flagging off Josep Garcia and Andrea Verona are Cllr Angela Davies, Cllr Geoff Morgan and Cllr Clare Evans together with Francisco Pita of Prime Stadium and John Bates from the Club.
Flagging off Josep Garcia and Andrea Verona are Cllr Angela Davies, Cllr Geoff Morgan and Cllr Clare Evans together with Francisco Pita of Prime Stadium and John Bates from the club (Copyright: E A Bates) (.)

The event started on Thursday evening with a riders parade through Rhayader. In a truly carnival atmosphere the streets were filled 10 deep with enthusiastic supporters who welcomed the event in fine style.

On Friday, Cllr Angela Davies welcomed everyone to Cwmyrthig Hill and Rhayader. Mayor of Rhayader, Cllr Clare Evans, in her speech related how her uncle, John Lewis had ridden in the enduro events in the 1960s to great success. The Rhayader Male Voice Choir entertained the gathered crowd with traditional Welsh hymns and the national anthem before the start of the super test contest.

Friday evening saw the event prologue “Super Test” where a pair of riders took on a short extreme course as an appetiser for the following two days. Again thousands of enthusiastic supporters from all corners of the globe provided a truly electric atmosphere for this head-to-head battle won by Angus Riordan on a KTM. 

Local rider Alex Walton flies high on the Akrapovic Super Test
Local rider Alex Walton flies high on the Akrapovic Super Test (Copyright: Mark Griffin) (.)

In ideal weather conditions, Saturday saw the British riders take command, Steve Holcolmbe took the day one outright win with Brad Freeman on the factory Beta claiming second.

At the prize presentation, Cllr Jonathan Wilkinson congratulated the club on the spectacular event after having spent most of the day watching. James Evans MS stated it was a tremendous achievement for the club to organise such a prestigious event.

Sunday would see Freeman again in the hunt for victory but he lost out to Spaniard Josep Garcia by the smallest of margins after leading the event all day. Garcia on the Red Bull KTM took the second day win while Holcombe on the factory Honda claimed third.

The overall winner was Garcia, who is the current World championship leader, who pipped reigning World Champion, Britain’s Steve Holcombe into second with fellow Brit Brad Freeman third.  While Italian Andrea Verona sewed up the Enduro 2 World Championship for 2024 with one round remaining.  The Club has been rewarded with being offered a round next year in 2025.

The event was an overwhelming success thanks to Rhayader Motor Club and the hundreds of volunteer helpers, sponsors and the local community who truly embraced the event - roll on next August.

Councillor Jonathan Wilkinson, Chair of Powys County Council having presented the trophy to Open two stroke class winner Bewdley's Ross Danby
Councillor Jonathan Wilkinson, Chair of Powys County Council having presented the trophy to Open two stroke class winner Bewdley's Ross Danby (Copyright: E A Bates) (.)
James Evans, MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, having present the trophy to Open four stroke class winner, Brit Alfie Webb
James Evans, MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, having present the trophy to Open four stroke class winner, Brit Alfie Webb (Copyright: E A Bates) (.)
Andrea Verona clinched the Enduro 2 World Championship
Andrea Verona clinched the Enduro 2 World Championship (Copyright: E A Bates) (.)