Under warm, clear skies in the south of France, the paddock at Alès is alive with anticipation as the world’s best hard enduro riders arrive for the opening round of the 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship (HEWC).
Set against the iconic backdrop of the Pôle Mécanique Alès Cévennes, teams and riders are building out their race setups, fine-tuning bikes, and preparing for what promises to be one of the most competitive and progressive seasons in the sport’s history.
With the season about to begin, 24MX Alestrem once again delivers a unique mix of elite sporting excellence and amateur perseverance.
A Championship Evolving
The 2026 season marks a significant step forward for the sport. For the first time, HEWC introduces a fully integrated Women’s World Cup, the new Senior World Cup and the inaugural Youth World Cup.
These additions create a clearer pathway for riders across all age groups and backgrounds, reinforcing the championship’s global and inclusive structure.
The evolution continues with the introduction of electric motorcycles into championship competition, competing within the same race structure as the World Championship and Junior categories. This signals a progressive shift, bringing new technology into one of the most physically demanding disciplines in motorsport.
Sweden’s Eddie Karlsson, one of the early adopters of electric competition, reflected on the moment:
“I am happy to be back in Alestrem, this was my first ever Hard Enduro race. I think it’s going to be a cool future with regards to the Stark project. We are now in the championship, and it’s really cool to be a part of it.”
Veteran legend Graham Jarvis, also embracing the new era, added:
“It’s crazy being here with an E-bike. HEWC has done amazing work to get the bike in the championship. I see a future in electric, and I plan on getting in first, that motivates me.”
The Contenders: Depth Like Never Before
The opening round features one of the strongest fields in recent championship history.
Reigning World Champion Manuel Lettenbichler returns looking to defend his title, but with one key goal still missing from his career:
“I am pretty stoked to be here and back in Alestrem. I didn’t race here last year because of injury… I like the weather now in April.
I think it’s going to be a challenging race, dry and way more grippy. There will be way more people at the front, so it will be a great battle.
I will try my best to be here in the front and win it’s a race I have never won.”
Billy Bolt arrives as a major challenger, while Wade Young and Teodor Kabakchiev add further depth to the front group.
Bulgarian Kabakchiev, racing for a French team, Sherco, highlighted the unique energy of the opening round:
“I am very happy that the opening round is in France. I would change pressure for support being here. The French atmosphere is really nice and I enjoy it, I will give it my all.”
Rising star James Moore, stepping into the senior ranks full-time, enters the season with clear objectives:
“It wasn’t much of a winter for me, I’ve been home in South Africa with similar weather to this, which is good for the weekend. With a new team and new bike, I’ve learned a lot. I would like to be a consistent top 5 rider, it’s realistic, but I need to work hard for it.”
Meanwhile, Mario Roman brings both experience and perspective to one of the sport’s most unique events:
“The best thing about Alestrem is it’s enjoyable for amateurs and really tough for professionals. It’s very difficult to reach the finish. The idea of laps getting harder each time makes it special. It’s very professional, and for spectators it’s also very enjoyable.”
A Defining Moment for Women’s Competition
The launch of the Women’s World Cup marks a historic step for the championship. Spain’s Sandra Gomez, one of the leading figures in the category, emphasised the importance of the moment:
“This race is special for me, it was one of my first Hard Enduro races. There are not a lot of women racing yet, so it is still the beginning. It’s positive, and we need to be leaders for the girls coming into the sport.
Having a Women’s World Cup here, and a woman at the press conference, is a really good thing, now we build it bigger.”
Heat, Grip and Strategy
Unlike the traditionally colder winter editions, this year’s April conditions bring dry terrain and increased grip.
While this may open the pace at the front, it also introduces new challenges in terms of endurance, tyre choice, and race strategy. With expected temperatures higher than usual, hydration and energy management could play a decisive role across the weekend.
Race Schedule: Three Days of Action
The 24MX Alestrem weekend unfolds across three key phases:
Thursday, April 17
• Xtrem Test
Saturday, April 18
• Minerva Prologue
• Expected pro lap time: ~15 minutes
• Format: Two laps of a fast and technical course
Sunday, April 19
• 24MX Alestrem Main Race
• HEWC rider start: 14:00 CET
• Expected finish: ~18:00 CET
The Main Race will be streamed live on the official HEWC YouTube channel, delivering the decisive moments of the opening round to a global audience.
The Season Starts Now
With a strengthened championship structure, new categories, electric integration, and a stacked international field, the 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship is set to redefine the sport.
The paddock is ready. The riders are ready.
The 2026 HEWC season begins now.
Words by FIM HEWC – Image courtesy of Mac Photos
