The 2026 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship is set to begin as riders and teams arrive in Custonaci, Sicily for round one.
After weeks of build up and anticipation, the GP of Italy is ready to get the opening round of the 2026 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship underway in Custonaci. Promoters Prime Stadium Events and event organiser Moto Club Custonaci Enduro ASD welcome the world’s best enduro riders to Sicily for what is expected to be an incredible weekend of racing. In total, 123 competitors from 17 nations will be present at round one to kick off the 2026 season.
Of those 123 riders, a strong entry will see 33 compete in the EnduroGP category, 13 of which hold an incredible 45 world titles between them. Additionally, 11 manufacturers will be represented, including Electric Power Vehicles (EPV) for the first time with Stark Future.
Custonaci ready to showcase best of Sicilian enduro
Located in the province of Trapani, in Western Sicily, the coastal town of Custonaci will have the honour of getting the 2026 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship underway. With Sicily previously hosting a round of the world championship in 2011, this visit to the region is both long overdue and met with much excitement. The region, shaped by its rugged mountain peaks, beautiful coastline, marble quarries and rocky vegetation, ensures Custonaci will deliver a very typical South Mediterranean feel for the 2026 season opener.
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Thursday and Friday will see the paddock bustle as riders and teams prepare for racing, which begins on Friday evening with the AKRAPOVIC Super Test. Always an exciting start to any Grand Prix, the AKRAPOVIC Super Test will offer the first taste of racing for the new season.
For Saturday and Sunday’s race days, a 45-kilometre course, taking competitors into the very heart of Trapani, will uncover some of the best trails in the region. An expected four laps to complete will make for a demanding race. From the race paddock, the opening loop will see competitors first encounter the POLISPORT Extreme Test and GMOTO Enduro Test before returning to the paddock. A second loop will take in the EXPOTRADE Cross Test, with riders then heading back to the paddock again to complete the lap.
Fiercely competitive EnduroGP line-up for round one
In the EnduroGP class, a stacked entry of 33 riders, fielding no less than 13 world champions, will make for a fiercely competitive GP of Italy. As the defending FIM EnduroGP World Champion, it is Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia who starts as the heavy favourite for top honours. However, he won’t face an easy path to victory.
Now Garcia’s teammate, 2025 EnduroGP Vice-Champion Andrea Verona, will be focused on a strong start for his KTM debut. Also doubling up as his home GP, the Italian is particularly motivated for round one.
TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Zach Pichon will be another rider keen to impress in Custonaci, while Beta Factory Team’s Brad Freeman and Sherco Racing Factory’s Steve Holcombe both return from injury determined to win.
In a class brimming with talent, riders like Triumph Italia Racing’s Morgan Lesiardo, Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Max Ahlin, KR69 WET Team’s Axel Semb, plus Sherco Racing Factory’s Hamish Macdonald and Fantic Factory Racing’s Theo Espinasse have great potential for a standout result. New to the paddock for 2026, the Stark OxMoto EnduroGP Team of David Herbreteau and Marc Sans will become the first competitors to compete on EPVs in EnduroGP.
Gutish ready to begin Women’s Enduro title defence
The Expotrade FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship will see 14 riders from eight nations representing nine manufacturers roll off the start ramp in Custonaci this weekend. After a closely fought 2025 campaign, it’s expected that this year’s title fight will be as competitive as ever.
RIEJU Factory Team’s Rachel Gutish starts as the defending champion and will be eager to add to her win tally in Sicily. She faces a strong challenge from teammate Rosie Rowett, who finished as runner-up to her in 2025.
France’s Justine Martel (Beta) and Norway’s Vilde Holt (Kawasaki) will be aiming for a place on the podium, along with Britain’s Nieve Holmes (Sherco) and France’s Marine Lemoine (KTM). Italy’s Sara Traini (Triumph) will be motivated for a strong showing at her home race.
Cristino leads the charge in Junior Enduro
With 38 riders entered, the Tsubaki FIM Junior Enduro World Championship is full of talent for 2026. Always a difficult class to predict, it will be interesting to see who will be the first to make their mark at round one. NSA Racing Team’s Kevin Cristino will be a rider closely watched for in Custonaci. The young Italian narrowly lost out on winning the category in 2025 and will be fired up to get his championship campaign off to the best possible start.
Newly signed with Triumph Factory Racing, France’s Leo Joyon will be looking to challenge Cristino for the top step of the podium in Sicily. Joyon will have company though, with his fellow countryman, Fantic Factory Racing’s Thibault Giraudon, also focused on fighting for victory. The GP of Italy marks a home race for TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Manuel Verzeroli who could be a rider to favour the dry and rocky terrain of the region.
WP Eric Auge’s Alex Puey, Triumph Italia Racing’s Luca Colorio, Johansson MPE Triumph Racing’s Will Dennett, plus 2025 FIM Youth Enduro World Champion Romain Dagna (Team KTM Pro Racing) are all likely to factor into the top five this weekend.
Strong entry for Youth Enduro class
Featuring the best youth talent in enduro, the Putoline FIM Youth Enduro World Championship will be an exciting watch. As the 2025 vice-champion, Italy’s Pietro Scardina starts as a strong favourite in 2026. Following an off-season move to Costa Ligure Youth TM Boano Race Parts, Scardina is fired up to lead from the word go in Custonaci.
Fourth overall in 2025, France’s Gabin Allemand (Team KTM Pro Racing) will aim to give the Italian a challenge for top honours as will Fantic Factory Racing’s Riccardo Pasquato and WP Eric Auge’s Yago Dominguez.
Round one of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship will take place in Custonaci, Sicily, Italy, on 10-12 April.
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