FIM EnduroGP set for penultimate round of 2026 season at Polisport GP of France

The 2026 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship makes its way to Saint-Agrève, France, for what will be the sixth and penultimate round of an intensely fought season.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia starts the Polisport GP of France with a strong chance of winning both the EnduroGP and Enduro1 world championships.

• FIM EnduroGP makes welcome return to France
• Josep Garcia targets third-consecutive EnduroGP world crown
• Championship battles continue for majority of classes

It’s all systems go for the Polisport GP of France in Saint-Agrève, hosting the sixth and penultimate round of the 2026 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship this weekend, 17-19 July.

After what’s been an intense and action-packed five rounds, the focus for France turns to those battling for a world title or place on the final championship podium in the 2026 season. A nation steeped in enduro heritage, France always delivers a demanding and challenging race. With Saint-Agrève expected to push the world’s best enduro riders to their maximum, the Polisport GP of France won’t be an easy path to world championship success. Factor in a legion of passionate and energetic French supporters, and this weekend’s Grand Prix should prove one of the highlights of the 2026 season.

Situated on a plateau between the Ardèche and Haute-Loire regions of southern France, Saint-Agrève delivers both picturesque views and enduro landscape in abundance. Event organisers, Moto-Club Les Razmottes, have worked hard to create a challenging 79-kilometre course that will be completed three times on both Saturday and Sunday.

On leaving the paddock in Saint-Agrève, the route will take riders to the EXPOTRADE Cross Test and GMOTO Enduro Test, before returning to the paddock for service. A second loop will bring competitors to the POLISPORT Extreme Test before returning back to the paddock to complete the course. Friday evening will see racing begin with the AKRAPOVIC Super Test from 17:30 CET.

Akrapovic Super Test to kickstart weekend’s racing

Located adjacent to the paddock, the AKRAPOVIC Super Test will get the Polisport GP of France underway in style on Friday evening. After some closely fought racing this season, it’s Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia who leads the way. The Spaniard has won four rounds so far in 2026, building up an 11-point lead in the series.

TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Zach Pichon is second overall, but will be looking to win this weekend on home soil. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona completes the top three. WP Eric Auge’s Alex Puey is the only other rider to have won an AKRAPOVIC Super Test in 2026.

Garcia aiming to clinch EnduroGP title in France

In the EnduroGP standings, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia arrives at the penultimate round with a sizable 34-point lead. With seven victories and never failing to finish off of the podium so far in 2026, the defending champion has certainly made his mark in this year’s title chase. In Saint-Agrève, Garcia has a mathematical chance of clinching his third consecutive EnduroGP title if things go his way in France.

His teammate, Andrea Verona, holds second overall and will need a strong showing in France if he wishes to keep his EnduroGP title hopes alive. The Italian must aim for the top step of the podium each day to deny Garcia the chance to become champion this weekend.

Sitting third overall, TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Zach Pichon will welcome the opportunity to impress in front of his home crowd this weekend. The Frenchman enjoyed strong performances during rounds four and five in Portugal, with a victory coming at round four. Knowing he has the speed to win ensures that Pichon will be a rider to watch for in Saint-Agrève.

Behind the top three, the battle for the remainder of the top five is being played out between the Sherco Racing Factory duo of Steve Holcombe and Hamish Macdonald. Just five points separate the pair entering the Polisport GP of France.

Just outside the top five, Beta Factory Team’s Brad Freeman is sixth overall, with NSA Racing’s Albin Norrbin in seventh and Triumph Italia Racing’s Morgan Lesiardo eighth. Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Max Ahlin is ninth, but only two points ahead of Sherco Racing Factory’s Julien Roussaly, who will be eager for a solid result at his home Grand Prix.

Elgari leads the way in Tsubaki Junior Enduro

In the Tsubaki Junior Enduro class, TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Alberto Elgari is beginning to stretch his lead in the standings. The Italian has claimed five wins so far in 2026 and now holds a 15-point lead. The Italian will be pushing for more success in France, but will face a tough challenge from his two closest title contenders, Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Romain Dagna and Triumph Factory Racing’s Leo Joyon, who will compete in their home race this weekend.

For Dagna, both rounds in Portugal didn’t deliver the results he hoped for. A return to familiar terrain will boost the young French rider’s confidence as he aims to close the gap to Elgari.

In contrast, Portugal saw Joyon come to the fore in this year’s Tsubaki Junior Enduro class. After claiming his debut win on day two at round four, he won again the following weekend at round five. Ready to ride that wave of momentum in Saint-Agrève, added French support could see Joyon deliver a standout performance.

Fourth overall, NSA Racing’s Kevin Cristino sits four points behind Joyon in the standings and will also be looking to add another race win to his 2026 tally. Fantic Factory Racing’s Thibault Giraudon starts his home Grand Prix in a confident mood and could deliver a surprise result in France.

Scardina looks to extend Putoline Oil Youth Enduro championship lead

The Putoline Oil Youth Enduro category saw TM MOTO Costa Ligure’s Pietro Scardina dominate rounds four and five in Portugal, taking four victories. Increasing his championship lead to 19 points, the Italian will aim to place himself at the sharp end of the results this weekend.

Behind him, the battle for the remainder of the top three is very close between Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Simone Cagnoni, Fantic Factory Racing’s Valentin Mersin and WP Eric Auge’s Yago Dominguez. Just seven points separate the trio of riders. Missing in action since round two due to injury, Fantic Factory Racing’s Riccardo Pasquato makes a welcome return to racing for the Polisport GP of France.

The Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship continues with the Polisport GP of France in Saint-Agrève, this weekend, 17-19 July.

2026 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship

Round 1: GP of Italy – Custonaci, Sicily – 10-12 April
Round 2: GP of Spain – Oliana – 1-3 May
Round 3: GP of Finland – Vierumäki, Salpausselkä – 22-24 May
Round 4: GP of Portugal – Fafe – 12-14 June
Round 5: GP of Portugal II – Fafe – 19-21 June
Round 6: GP of France – Saint-Agrève – 17-19 July
Round 7: GP of Wales – Rhayader – 7-9 August

2026 Expotrade FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship
Round 1: GP of Italy – Custonaci, Sicily – 10-12 April
Round 2: GP of Spain – Oliana – 1-3 May
Round 3: GP of Portugal – Fafe – 12-14 June
Round 4: GP of Portugal II – Fafe – 19-21 June
Round 5: GP of Wales – Rhayader – 7-9 August