Enduro, Verona is not satisfied: “Proud of the E2 title, but I can still grow”

Seven times on the roof of the world: Andrea Verona continues to update his extraordinary palmares. After the Youth 2017, Junior 2019, E1 (2021 and 2022) world titles and the absolute EnduroGP of 2022, the GasGas rider’s showcase also welcomes the Enduro2 World Championshipwon in 2024 with GasGas. A special success because it crowns the adaptation to a new engine capacity, the 350cc, enhancing Andrea’s riding. The success came in September, but the Italian driver’s emotion is still intense a few months later. You can imagine it from the look and from what Verona confided to our microphones.

Andrea, I would start with an assessment of 2024. Definitely a positive season.

“We closed with the victory at the Italian in the 450cc category, after also having won the E2 World Championship and third place in the GP championship. The set objectives have been achieved. In some moments I ran well, other times a little less. However, we know what to improve.”

What rating would you give to your season?

“Until the fifth race of the championship I would have given myself a high rating, maybe a 9. The last two outings, however, were not positive, I struggled to find the right speed and, in an attempt to stay in front, I made too many mistakes. This is why the vote drops. I would give myself a 7.5 or 8. I know I can do better.”

Does this title have a different flavor compared to the previous six World Cups? Is there a different awareness?

“No, winning a World Championship is always positive, an important goal achieved for me and the company. It always tastes sweet. Last year we went from 250cc to 350cc and encountered some difficulties, therefore failing to win the championship (Enduro2 ed.). In 2024 we have fixed some details and we are happy with the result. Next season I will race again in the E2 class: it will be the third year in this category. We will aim to do even better.”

From a technical point of view, how does riding a 250cc differ from a 350cc? And what do you appreciate about both bikes?

“They are very different guides. The bike itself doesn’t change much, either in terms of weight or engine. The cylinder is simply different. The sensation you get when you get on the saddle is different, between inertia and power. The 250cc is more agile and reactive, while the 350 is “heavier” and slower in movement. In narrow spaces the smaller displacement tends to have an advantage, while in an open space the situation can be reversed. The 250cc must be ridden aggressively, keeping the rev range where there is more torque. The 350cc, on the other hand, already has good power and is manageable even with a low rpm. The driving style changes a little, but both are valid.”

Looking to 2025, I believe that one objective is to win the Enduro GP World Championship, which this year faded in the last races. Where do you think you can improve?

“In my opinion there are two aspects. First I need to increase the speed. I’m not talking about pure speed, simply understood as always pushing on the accelerator. Enduro is not just that. I mean speed over the entire test. I need more fluency, I have to make fewer mistakes. For example, when going from one lap to another, the terrain has changed a lot for the passage of 150 bikes. In that case you need to know how to quickly read the situation, understand the trajectory to take, and be reactive. It’s a mix of mentality, approach to the special stage and training to be fresh in order to correctly choose what to do very quickly. This is an aspect that needs improvement. Then we will do some tests with the bike in view of next season. We are already at work.”

In 2024, which race gave you the most satisfaction?

“I would say the second test in Italy: it was a very nice victory. On the first day, despite going fast, due to some mistakes, I was forced to chase. However, I knew I had speed. I wanted to win. The conditions changed between the first and second day because a lot of rain arrived. I managed to approach the special stages well and run a good race. I made a mistake that made me lose all the advantage I had gained during the day, but in the last test I won by half a second. It was a last-gasp victory, which arrived in front of my fans: a wonderful feeling.”

Last question: what advice would you give to those approaching enduro for the first time?

“It depends on the perspective with which you approach this sport, whether it is about competing at high levels or simply for fun as an amateur. The important thing is not to do things bigger than what you know how to do. When there’s speed, there’s never a shortage of danger. In general you need to have a lot of dedication. It is not easy to undertake a similar path. Fun is the basis, but commitment and sacrifices are also needed.”