Josep Garcia impresses with Akrapovic Super Test win at Polisport EnduroGP of Spain

The Polisport EnduroGP of Spain roars into life in Oliana with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia winning the Friday night AKRAPOVIC Super Test.

Setting the tone for what will be an action-packed round two of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship in Oliana, Spain, the AKRAPOVIC Super Test treated the crowds of passionate enduro fans to some fantastic racing.

With darkness falling as the EnduroGP category began the AKRAPOVIC Super Test, it was clear the battle for the top spot would be fierce. NSA Racing’s Albin Norrbin set an early benchmark that proved tough to match, until the final contenders took to the course.

A determined effort by TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Zach Pichon saw him knock Norrbin off the top of the leaderboard, before Beta Factory Team’s Brad Freeman got the better of them both.

With the Sherco Racing Factory duo of Steve Holcombe and Antoine Magain both unable to beat Freeman, all that stood between Freeman and the win was the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing pairing of Josep Garcia and Andrea Verona.

Utilising his home advantage, Garcia put in a heroic effort to take the win by almost one second over Freeman, with Verona placing 0.58 seconds behind Freeman in third. Pichon and Holcombe completed the AKRAPOVIC Super Test in fourth and fifth, respectively, with Norrbin sixth.

WP Eric Ague’s Alex Puey gave his home crowd plenty to cheer for in the Tsubaki Junior Enduro class, claiming the quickest time. Australia’s Will Dennett (Johansson MPE Triumph) finished just 0.07 seconds behind Puey in second, with TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team’s Manuel Verzeroli finishing 1.21 seconds back in third.

Costa Ligure Youth TM Boano Race Part’s Pietro Scardina proved the rider to beat in the Putoline Oil FIM Youth Enduro World Championship. The Italian set the fastest time by over two seconds. Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Simone Cagnoni edged out Spain’s Alemany Guerrero (KTM) by 0.36 seconds to take second, pushing the Spaniard back to third.

With the Expotrade FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship class first to take to the AKRAPOVIC Super Test in Oliana, the racing was closely fought out with less than one second separating the top three riders. Norway’s Vilde Holt put her Kawasaki on the top spot, edging out France’s Charlene Boudon (Fantic) by 0.05 seconds.

RIEJU Factory Team’s Rachel Gutish was third, while championship leader Ambiance Moto’s Justine Martel has some work to do tomorrow, ending her night in ninth.

Josep Garcia (KTM): “To win tonight is a perfect way to start my home race. The emotions are high here and I had some nerves because I really wanted to fight for first place. There were some mistakes, but it worked out well. It gives you goosebumps to have a start like this!”

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