Spain set to welcome FIM EnduroGP for round two

The Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship heads to Oliana in Spain for round two with competitive and close racing expected to continue.

After a strong season opener in Sicily for the GP of Italy, the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship builds pace with round two’s GP of Spain set to deliver more excitement.  Racing was fiercely competitive across all classes in Italy, and with many of the championship’s top competitors reaching the podium, it sets the tone for what will be a hotly contested round two this weekend.

In the EnduroGP class, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia enters his home Grand Prix as the early points leader thanks to his day one victory in Sicily. But he faces stiff competition from teammate Andrea Verona and Sherco Racing Factory’s Steve Holcombe, while Beta Factory Team’s Brad Freeman will be highly motivated following his day two win.

Ambiance Moto’s Justine Martel heads the Expotrade FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship, while TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Alberto Elgari leads the Tsubaki FIM Junior Enduro World Championship. Fantic Factory Racing’s Riccardo Pasquato arrives in Oliana as the rider to beat in the Putoline Oil FIM Youth Enduro World Championship.

In total, 144 competitors from 18 nations will take to the start line in Oliana. The EnduroGP category will see 32 riders compete, representing 11 manufacturers.

Oliana ready to welcome back EnduroGP

EnduroGP returns to Oliana in Northern Spain for the second time, having first held a round of the world championship in 2025. A venue still fresh on everyone’s minds, the GP of Spain was well-received despite some testing weather conditions.

A highlight, and certain to become a key feature again, will be the GMOTO Enduro Test. Potentially set to be one of the most-demanding GMOTO Enduro Tests of the season, the long, winding, forest-based special test will put competitors through their paces thanks to its plentiful supply of singletrack trails, hillclimbs and off-camber tracks.

The 42-kilometre long course, including the GMOTO Enduro Test, the high-speed EXPOTRADE Cross Test and technical POLISPORT Extreme Test, will be completed four times each day.

Racing gets underway with Friday’s AKRAPOVIC Super Test

As ever, the AKRAPOVIC Super Test will usher in the GP of Spain in Oliana on Friday evening from 19:00 CET. Situated adjacent to the race paddock, in the heart of the town, it will deliver a great evening of racing.

At round one, Garcia stole the show by setting the fastest time, and with the advantage of home soil on his side, there’s no doubt the Spaniard will be aiming to win again on Friday. Sherco Racing Factory’s Antoine Magain was second last time out in Sicily, with Verona third.

Garcia enters home Grand Prix as early EnduroGP points leader

Emerging from round one as the early championship leader, Garcia got his EnduroGP title defence off to a strong start in Italy. Now, with a home round on the cards, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider will be determined to build on that this weekend. However, the Spaniard has fierce competition in a category that’s already showing no room for error.

With a 3-2 scorecard in Sicily, Andrea Verona is second in points to Garcia. The Italian enjoyed a strong world championship debut with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, missing out on victory on day two by four seconds. He looks comfortable on his new machine, and will be motivated to repeat his winning performance from Oliana last year.

Back to EnduroGP racing following a 2025 season curtailed by injury, Sherco Racing Factory’s Steve Holcombe slotted straight back into the sharp end of the leaderboard at round one. The nine-time world champion showed he’s as hungry as ever to win, ending day one just six seconds shy of Garcia for victory, while coming close to winning day two. Those performances will act as a massive confidence boost for the newly-mounted Sherco rider this weekend.

His teammate, Antoine Magain is another rider to watch for in Spain. The Belgian will be very pleased with his results from round one, finishing fourth overall on both days amongst a deep talent pool of world champions. Looking sharp, confident and super consistent, he will be out to prove himself once more.

Completing the top five in standings is Beta Factory Team’s Brad Freeman, who also made his return to racing at round one following injury. The 10-time world champion was a slow burner on day one, but dramatically turned things around on day two by winning. With the taste of victory still fresh in his mouth, Freeman will be gunning for glory once again.

Martel holds early lead in Expotrade Women’s Enduro championship

From her debut win on day one to winning day two and taking an early lead in the Expotrade Women’s Enduro class, Ambiance Moto supported Justine Martel enjoyed a breakthrough ride in the world championship in Sicily.

With newfound form, it’s clear the Frenchwoman has been working hard during the off-season to establish herself as a front-runner, and will be highly motivated to keep that winning momentum rolling next time out in Oliana.

RIEJU Factory Team’s Rachel Gutish had a mixed start to her 2026 campaign, but has the speed to challenge Martel if she can iron out her mistakes. Ending the GP of Italy third overall in standings, Italy’s Sara Traini (Triumph) stepped forward as one of the standout performers in Sicily.

Elgari out front in Tsubaki Junior Enduro class

The Tsubaki FIM Junior Enduro World Championship saw TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Alberto Elgari get the jump on his rivals at round one by taking a pair of race wins. Despite stepping up to the Junior Enduro class for 2026, the rookie looked right at home in Sicily.

His biggest challenge for victory came from Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Romain Dagna. The 2025 FIM Youth Enduro World Champion chased him hard for second place each day. With the duo catching their new classmates off guard, both will be looking to lead the way in Spain.

Triumph Factory Racing’s Leo Joyon was the next-best rider to Elgari and Dagna in Italy. A weekend highlighted with third on day two, the Frenchman will aim for the podium again in Spain. Fantic Factory Racing’s Thibault Giraudon will arrive at Oliana in fourth, but tied on points with Joyon.

As the 2025 Junior Enduro Vice-Champion, NSA Racing’s Kevin Cristino will be disappointed with how his season started in Italy. Already 18 points behind Elgari in fifth overall, he knows he’s got some work to do this weekend.

Fight for victory set to continue in Putoline Oil Youth Enduro category

Round one set the tone for a highly competitive Putoline Oil FIM Youth Enduro World Championship campaign with two different race winners and four podium finishers emerging.

Fantic Factory Racing’s Riccardo Pasquato sits at the top of the standings, with a four-point lead over Costa Ligure Youth TM Boano Race Part’s Pietro Scardina. Closely matched, Scardina took the win on day one in Italy, before Pasquato got the better of him on day two.

They have company though, with Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Simone Cagnoni tight behind them in third. Aiming to bring the fight to the three leading Italians is WP Eric Auge’s Yago Dominguez. With his team based in Oliana, this weekend will be a true home race for both.

Round two of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship takes place in Oliana, Spain, from 1-3 May.

GP of Spain: Pre-Entry List

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