At his home EnduroGP, Fantic Factory Racing’s Axel Semb was unstoppable, securing a brilliant double victory in both the Junior and Junior 2 classes to extend his lead in the championship standings. He was joined on the podium by Kevin Cristino. In the Youth class, Pietro Scardina was the fastest 125 rider in the SuperTest and went on to win Day 2 of racing.
The 2025 FIM EnduroGP World Championship reached its third round over the weekend of 23–25 May in Skövde, Sweden, delivering an event of high technical and organisational quality. On Scandinavian soil, the Fantic riders enjoyed an exciting weekend: the sun made an appearance only on Saturday, while cold and rain dominated the other race days. Despite the challenging weather, a passionate local crowd filled the venue and contributed to the event’s success.
The race course, designed by Moto Club FMCK Skövde, featured a 60 km loop to be completed three times per day (with an additional Enduro Test on Saturday), totalling 18 special tests plus Friday evening’s SuperTest. The route began with a 5.5 km Enduro Test just outside the paddock, filled with typical Swedish roots and rocks, continued with a 3.5 km Cross Test on a ski slope – mixing fast sections with technical parts – and finished with a 1.9 km Extreme Test, made extremely slippery by roots and wet terrain.
Fueled by the enthusiastic support of the home fans, Axel Semb dominated both race days, claiming impressive double victories in the Junior overall and J2 categories. Aboard the Fantic XEF 310, he set the fastest class time in eight of the ten special tests on Saturday. He repeated the performance on Sunday, topping the time sheets in the first six special tests.
Kevin Cristino also delivered a solid performance aboard the new Fantic XE 300 with Minarelli fuel-injected engine: he secured two third-place finishes in J2 and third and fifth places in the Junior category. The overall podium on Sunday slipped from his grasp only at the end of the day due to a penalty.
In the Youth class, Pietro Scardina had a strong weekend, finishing second on Day 1 and claiming a dominant win on Day 2. Aboard the Fantic XE 125, Scardina once again opened the event with the fastest class time in Friday’s SuperTest. On Sunday, he showcased both speed and skill by setting the best time in five of the nine special tests.
Spurred on by the home crowd, Swedish rider Albin Norrbin demonstrated his technical skills and speed, consistently battling in the top 10 overall and pushing for a class podium throughout the weekend. He finished sixth on Day 1 and improved to fifth on Day 2 in the E2 class. In EnduroGP, the Fantic XEF 310 rider secured tenth place on both race days. In E1, Jed Etchells claimed fifth on the opening day and sixth on the second.
After an intense Swedish round, the EnduroGP World Championship will now take a summer break before resuming from 1–3 August in Rhayader, Wales, for the fourth round of the 2025 season.
Axel Semb:
“First of all, I want to thank all the fans who supported me throughout the entire race weekend – and of course, my crew. Winning at home is something really special. The double victories are also a nice boost for the championship standings.”
Pietro Scardina:
“It was a good race weekend, from Friday on, when I posted the best time in the SuperTest. Over the two race days, I secured a second and a first place in the 125 class. The win on the second day was truly special.”
Kevin Cristino:
“It was a tough weekend on terrain very different from what we usually face in Italy or at most other EnduroGP rounds. The penalty was a pity, but overall, I am quite happy with my performance and speed.”
Albin Norrbin:
“The home support was incredible! I am not 100% satisfied because I wanted to give a bit more back to the crowd for all their support, but overall, I am pleased. I felt good on the bike – unfortunately, I made a few costly mistakes in the final two special tests on Sunday.”
