Rachel Gutish (RIEJU Factory Team) delivered a masterclass performance on the opening day of the Expotrade FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship round in Zschopau. The American rider was unmatched on the demanding German terrain, pulling away early and never looking back as she secured a dominant win with more than a minute and twenty seconds in hand.
HRC Honda’s Francesca Nocera put up a solid fight, particularly shining on the ACERBIS Cross Test, but was unable to close the gap to Gutish in the Enduro sections. Rosie Rowett, also representing RIEJU, showed consistency throughout the day to take a well-earned third place. Behind her, Beta’s Justine Martel and KTM’s Marine Lemoine completed the top five. Joanna Goncalves, European vice-champion, finished sixth on this first day. European champion Vilde Marie Holt had a complicated day with 10th place.
In the Junior Women’s category, Sherco’s Lorna Lafont emerged victorious after an intense battle with her main title rival, Elizabeth Tett (Electraction TM MOTO), who finished second. Poland’s Maja Kozolowska (KTM) rounded off the podium in third, keeping the championship fight alive heading into the next round.
