The AKRAPOVIC Super Test opened the 2026 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship in Italy, with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia fastest.
The 2026 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship officially opened for business in Custonaci, Sicily, with the action-packed AKRAPOVIC Super Test. Utilising one of the region’s old marble quarries, the hillside course weaved its way through the rocky terrain. With the special test lined with spectators, they were treated to some spectacular racing, under an equally spectacular Sicilian sunset.
In the EnduroGP class, it was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia who ultimately set the quickest time of the evening by 0.72 seconds. The defending EnduroGP champion perfectly mastered the fast-flowing terrain to take a well-deserved AKRAPOVIC Super Test victory.
Sherco Racing Factory’s Antoine Magain placed a strong second on the night. The Belgian had held the overall lead, only to be beaten in the final moments by Garcia. Magain will look to maintain that fast pace tomorrow.
Making his debut with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing on home soil, Italy’s Andrea Verona placed just 0.34 seconds behind Magain in third. The Italian is well-positioned to challenge for a winning result in his home Grand Prix this weekend.
Fourth, but only 0.06 seconds behind Verona, TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Zach Pichon was also on pace this evening. The Frenchman looked comfortable in the rocky and dusty terrain, and should be a force to be reckoned with throughout the GP of Italy.
Putting in an impressive debut with Fantic Factory Racing, Theo Espinasse ended his night 1.16 seconds behind Pichon in fifth.
The Expotrade FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship saw RIEJU Factory Team’s Rachel Gutish storm out of the blocks for the defence of her world crown by taking the fastest time in the AKRAPOVIC Super Test. Gutish topped the time sheets by over three seconds.
The fight for second proved incredibly close, with Junior Women Enduro class riders Lorna Lafont (Husqvarna), Elizabeth Tett (TM MOTO) and Charlene Boudon (Fantic) placing second, third and fourth, respectively. Only 0.47 seconds separated Lafont and Tett. Justine Martel (Beta) completed the top five.
In the Tsubaki Junior Enduro class, 2025 FIM Youth Enduro World Champion Romain Dagna didn’t waste any time settling into things by setting the quickest time. The Team KTM Pro Sport Racing rider stopped the clock 0.5 seconds quicker than Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s new recruit, Marc-Antoine Rossi, in second. Triumph Factory Racing’s Leo Joyon took third, with TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Manuel Verzeroli fourth. All four riders were separated by just 0.91 seconds.
The Putoline Oil Youth Enduro category marked an AKRAPOVIC Super Test win for Team KTM Pro Sport Racing’s Gabin Allemand. The French youngster placed 0.39 seconds ahead of Fantic Factory Racing’s Valentin Mersin. WP Eric Ague’s Yago Dominguez was just over one second behind in third.
Josep Garcia (KTM): “I’m super happy to get the first Super Test win of the season. I made some small mistakes, but luckily nothing too major. It’s great to start off the race in a good way like this and I’m excited now to begin tomorrow.”
For GP of Italy complete results: https://www.endurogp.com/2026-results/
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
Igor Aguado
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