The Assoluti d’Italia season kicked off in Colliano with a winning weekend for the Minarelli-powered Fantic XE 300: Kevin Cristino topped the Junior class with a double victory, while Fantic-supported Team Specia rider Matteo Pavoni secured maximum points in the 300 class. A strong performance also from Pietro Scardina, finishing runner-up twice in the 125 class.
The weekend of March 1st and 2nd marked the start of the 2025 season of the Assoluti d’Italia Enduro Championship, with the first round held in Colliano, in the province of Salerno. The event, valid as the first and second rounds of the current season, attracted a large crowd of enthusiasts starting from the afternoon of Friday, February 28th, for the Super Test, held on the Extreme Test track. The spectacular descents and steep climbs provided a preview of the intense battle that would unfold throughout the race weekend.
The 100% Enduro Team, under the supervision of Track Inspector Mario Rinaldi, organized a high-level event with a 50 km course that challenged the riders with three highly technical and demanding special tests, to be repeated four times on Saturday and three times on Sunday.
The racecourse opened with a Cross Test (4 km) on soft terrain, featuring counter-slopes and particularly treacherous muddy sections, followed by an Extreme Test (1.5 km) set in a scenic quarry with steep climbs and descents, irregular rocks, and tricky stones along the way. Finally, the Enduro Test (6 km), the longest and most demanding, combined muddy sections with slippery rocks, making every passage a true technical challenge.
The reigning Junior class champion, Kevin Cristino, kicked off the season in the best possible way, securing a brilliant double victory aboard the fuel-injected Minarelli-powered Fantic XE 300. The Italian, now part of the official Fantic Factory structure managed by Antonio Specia, came out on top on both race days after a fierce battle with his main rival. A perfect start for the unstoppable Cristino, who already collects 40 championship points.
Fantic is also celebrating a double success in the 300 class with Matteo Pavoni, a Factory-supported rider from Team Specia. Immediately proving his confidence on his new Fantic XE 300, he delivered a superb performance, finishing eighth and tenth overall and dominating both race days in the 300 class like a true frontrunner.
In the 125 class, Pietro Scardina put on an incredible performance despite not being in top physical condition after fracturing his right pinky. On Friday evening, the Fantic Factory rider recorded the tenth best overall time in the Super Test, riding a Fantic XE 125, and was the fastest of his class. Throughout the weekend, Pietro showed strong determination and managed to secure two impressive second-place finishes in the highly competitive 125 class.
For the Fantic Factory Racing Enduro team managed by Simone Albergoni, challenges were not lacking at the season opener, starting with an unfortunate incident that affected Jed Etchells’ weekend. The British rider twisted his right ankle in the days leading up to the race while walking the special tests. He did not line up for the first day of racing but decided to take to the track on Sunday. Without taking any unnecessary risks, he finished thirteenth in the Foreign Riders class, gaining valuable hours on his Fantic XEF 250.
His teammates, Albin Norrbin and Axel Semb, are both riding the Fantic XEF 310 this year. Partly due to a heavy crash on Friday, the first race day was all about finding the right rhythm for Norrbin. On Day 2, he improved his performance, finishing fourteenth overall and eighth among the Foreign Riders. Meanwhile, his fellow Swede Semb has not yet found the perfect feeling, but the first two race days—ending eleventh and fourteenth in the highly competitive Foreigners’ class—helped identify the areas to work on ahead of the next round.
After the exciting debut in Campania, the 2025 Assoluti d’Italia Enduro Championship will head to Tuscany. On March 15th and 16th, Camaiore (LU) will host the third and fourth rounds of the season.
Kevin Cristino:
“I am happy with my double win here in Colliano in the Junior class during the first two rounds of the Assoluti. The special tests were tough, but with the new bike, the Fantic XE 300 with Minarelli engine, I am feeling good, and I am able to perform at my best.”
Pietro Scardina:
“I arrived in Colliano not in top physical shape, and I also injured my right pinky. Given that, these two second-place finishes are a great result, and now I will focus on recovering properly for the next event.”
Jed Etchells:
“I twisted my right ankle while inspecting the special tests before the race. On Saturday, I tried to put on my boot, but my foot wouldn’t fit. On Sunday, I decided to race, but without taking unnecessary risks.”
