Sean Butcher has sealed the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy with victory at the final round at Sarno on Sunday.
The UK-based Australian qualified third in Senior MAX, was ranked second after the heats (with two wins) then won his pre-final. The KR Sport/Kosmic driver lead off pole in the final, but had dropped to third entering the last lap. In a three-way fight for the win with Macauley Bishop and Tino Sidler, Butcher slipped through when the two ahead tangled, cementing an emotional win.
The championship victory has earned him a ticket to the Grand Finals in Bahrain, though racing under the British banner.
- video of the finals, below
- full results HERE
official report, RMC Euro Trophy Final
CHAMPIONS CROWNED IN SENSATIONAL FINALE AT CIRCUITO INTERNAZIONALE NAPOLI
The grand finale of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy unfolded in spectacular fashion at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno, Italy. Under the southern sun and with a passionate crowd lining the fences, the season reached its climax with five champions being crowned — each after a year of fierce competition, high drama, and standout performances.
As the engines fell silent on Sunday evening, the names of the new title holders echoed across the paddock: Riley Murro (Italian Euro Cup Mini MAX), Jacob Ashcroft (Junior MAX), Sean Butcher (Senior MAX), Jakub Bezel (DD2), and Nicolas Picot (DD2 Masters). With tickets to the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals on the line, every lap at Sarno meant everything — and the action certainly lived up to the occasion.
Italian Euro Cup Mini MAX – Murro rises through the chaos to win and seal the crown
Starting from 12th on the grid, Riley Murro (Sam Pollitt Racing) delivered a career-defining drive to clinch both the race victory and the Italian Euro Cup Mini MAX title. The young Brit carved his way through the field with precision and composure, overtaking pole-sitter Emerson Macandrew-Uren (Dan Holland Racing) in the closing stages.
It was a day of surprises, with Mik Klinkers (Bouvin Power) taking a brilliant second after holding his ground in a tense midfield fight, and Tom Read (Strawberry Racing) completing the podium after another solid weekend. Macandrew-Uren, despite his early speed, was left to wonder what might have been.
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Junior MAX – Friend wins, Ashcroft takes the championship
It was a day of firsts and finals in Junior MAX, as Albert Friend (Dan Holland Racing) claimed his maiden RMCET victory after a sensational drive through the pack. The KR Sport pairing of Harry Freeman and Kai Clarke followed closely behind, making it an all-British podium.
While it wasn’t the dominant weekend many expected, Jacob Ashcroft (Dan Holland Racing) did what champions do — delivering when it mattered most. His consistent season, marked by wins in Wackersdorf and Genk, was enough to seal the Junior MAX title ahead of Clarke and teammate Rory Armstrong.
Senior MAX – Butcher wins the race, the title, and the headlines
If there was any doubt before Sarno, Sean Butcher (KR Sport) erased it with a composed and clinical drive to victory in the Senior MAX Final. In a class defined by its competitiveness, Butcher stepped up when it counted, taking both the race win and the 2025 title.
Drama struck post-race when Macauley Bishop (Dan Holland Racing) — initially finishing second — was disqualified, shaking up both the podium and the standings. Tereza Babickova inherited P2, while Cian Geraghty (Strawberry Racing) stepped onto the podium in third. The disqualification had heavy implications: Bishop, who entered the weekend as a title contender, dropped from second to tenth in the final standings.
Butcher’s consistency proved key, securing the crown ahead of Ties van Wijk (Dan Holland Racing) and Geraghty.
DD2 / DD2 Masters – Knopjes wins, Bezel and Picot are champions
In DD2, it was Sem Knopjes (DAEMS Racing) who stole the spotlight, closing his campaign with a dominant win in Sarno. Behind him, Lenn Nijs (Schepers Racing) executed a stellar comeback — gaining 10 places to finish second — while Lawrence Herbots (Bouvin Power) secured third in an intense scrap for podium honours.
But it was Jakub Bezel (Kraft Motorsport) who celebrated the loudest. Despite finishing tenth, the Czech driver had done enough throughout the year to claim the 2025 DD2 title, capping off a season of speed, resilience, and maturity.
In DD2 Masters, there was never really any doubt. Nicolas Picot (Privateer) extended his undefeated streak with yet another dominant victory, clinching both the race and the championship title in style. Martin Pasandin and Dimo Notarfrancesco of Karttem Meier joined him on the podium after a competitive Masters final.
The Curtain Closes on 2025
With the final race completed and the champions crowned, the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy comes to a close — but the journey is far from over. Up next, the spotlight turns to the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals, where the season’s top performers will battle it out for world glory. The official list of Grand Finals ticket winners will be published shortly.
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