23 year old Tasmanian Enduro ace Matt Phillips currently holds a 33-point lead in the highly competitive E2 class, and a 28-point lead in the EnduroGP classification

Matthew Phillips eyes World Enduro’s top prize

23 year old Tasmanian Enduro ace Matt Phillips currently holds a 33-point lead in the highly competitive E2 class, and a 28-point lead in the EnduroGP classification, a new premier category introduced in season 2016 for the outright GP Championship across all capacity classes.

The EnduroGP Championship is decided over 8 weekends of racing where 16 individual GP events are held across 8 different countries.

With two rounds remaining Phillips looks on course to become not only E2 World Champ, but also the inaugural EnduroGP World Champion.

Riders compete in capacity classes but also race for the outright honours which determines the fastest rider across all divisions.

Phillips’ decision to race the Sherco 300SEF-R was a controversial move in many critics’ eyes. The mid-size engine capacity of the Sherco appeared to be under-powered for the E2 class where machines up to 450cc can compete, however, Phillips has proven the French machine is more than capable in the 12 rounds held so far in 2016.

FIM EnduroGP World Championship 2016 - Matthew Phillips - Sherco — FIM EnduroGP World Championship 2016 – Matthew Phillips – Sherco

“Matthew Phillips is proving the Sherco 300SEF-R is fast in all conditions,” stated Sherco Australia’s Stephen Tuff. “Matt holds the E2 class lead and the over-all EnduroGP points lead with four rounds to go. He’s obviously confident with the Sherco and the CH Racing Team. In racing terms, four rounds is still a long way to go but we know Matt is capable and the bike is clearly up to the task.”

Round seven of the EnduroGP will be held in Italy this coming weekend, July 16/17 where Phillips will be hoping to stretch his Championship points lead before the final showdown in France in September.

“For Matt to be leading the E2 class on a bike recklessly underrated by critics and the opposition is immensely satisfying for Sherco,” Tuff continued. “We know the bike is great and for Matt to hold the EnduroGP points lead is a massive statement. In general sporting terms, what Matt is doing on the world stage is as big as it gets. This is the Wimbledon of Enduro, the Ashes of dirt bikes and the competition is just as fierce.”