Australia’s reigning Enduro 3 World Champion Matthew Phillips has been named one of 16 riders selected to contest the brand new EnduroGP series in 2016.

The FIM and world championship organisers ABC Communications will introduce an outright grand prix category next year, while retaining the usual E1, E2 and E3 classes as sub-titles.

It’s understood the top four riders currently contesting the E1, E2 and E3 classes this year have been included, with the remaining four to be made up of wildcard entries – including former world champions David Knight and Taddy Blazusiak.

However Phillips has labeled the move a “rushed decision” in a post on social media, uncertain it’s the right direction for the world championship. He’s already planning a transition to 450 machinery for the new challenge.

“Not sure this is the right direction for our sport,” Phillips wrote. “Look forward to fighting for a GP championship next year though, will be insane. Time to get back on a 450! So many things to discuss against the GP class; they rushed the decision.

“How can it benefit the sport? More effort on tv and advertising, self promotion from the riders. Ask the fans what they like to see in the race, I’m sure standing in a dusty paddock for nine hours isn’t what they want to do to see three hours of racing all day.

“A decision from the top guys in the office who haven’t come to see an enduro in the last five years. Also a decision from the manufactures who use this as advertising and now can only advertise in one class for three positions – now is three classes and nine positions – I don’t understand the motive.”

2016 EnduroGP selected riders:
Eero Remes
Christophe Nambotin
Daniel McCanney
Lorenzo Santolino
Antoine Meo
Pierre-Alexandre Renet
Alex Salvini
Jaume Betriu
Mathias Bellino
Matthew Phillips (AUS)
Matti Seistola
Aigar Leok
Johnny Aubert
Ivan Cervantes
David Knight
Taddy Blazusiak