Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia and Andrea Verona have made an outstanding start to the 2026 FIM EnduroGP World Championship, securing multiple wins and podium finishes at the opening round in Custonaci, Sicily. Garcia claimed the overall victory on day one plus a podium finish on day two, while Verona secured a superb runner-up result on day two at his home event. The team leaves Italy leading the EnduroGP, Enduro1, and Enduro2 standings after a highly competitive opening weekend.
Friday night’s Super Test provided the perfect start to the new season, with Garcia setting the benchmark to take the win aboard his KTM 250 EXC-F. Verona impressed on his debut EnduroGP appearance for the team, placing third overall and immediately putting himself among the frontrunners.
Garcia carried that momentum into Saturday’s racing, delivering a composed and confident performance to take control of the event from the opening lap. Winning four tests and placing inside the top three on a further four, the Spaniard led throughout the day to secure the overall victory by just under six seconds, while also claiming top honors in the Enduro1 class.
On Sunday, Garcia faced a tougher challenge, with a handful of small mistakes dropping him down the order early in the day. Regrouping well, he pushed hard through the final laps to climb back to third overall and claim his spot on the podium. Josep also delivered when it mattered in Enduro1, charging on the final lap to secure his second class win of the weekend.
Competing on home soil, Verona delivered a strong and consistent ride aboard his KTM 450 EXC-F to secure third overall on Saturday. Charging into contention early, the Italian set the pace with a third-place result on the opening lap and remained firmly in the fight throughout the day. Pushing hard on the last lap, Verona capped off his performance with a powerful final test to lock in a well-earned podium finish. In the Enduro2 category, Verona was dominant, controlling the class from start to finish to claim a convincing victory.
Verona built on that performance on Sunday with an impressive ride to second overall. Settling into a strong rhythm early on, he moved into podium contention by the end of lap two before delivering a standout final test to secure second place overall. At the same time, Andrea completed a clean sweep in Enduro2, taking his second class victory of the weekend and capping off a hugely successful home round.
After the opening round, Garcia leads the EnduroGP standings by three points over teammate Verona, while also heading the Enduro1 standings following his double class victory. Verona sits second overall and leads the Enduro2 championship by eight points, securing a 1-2 in the overall standings for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing after round one.
The 2026 FIM EnduroGP World Championship continues with round two at the GP of Spain in Oliana on May 1-3.
Josep Garcia: “The first race of the year is done and Saturday went perfectly. Today I was feeling really good, but I had a crash in the cross test where I twisted my ankle a little, and after that it was difficult to get back into my rhythm. Still, I’m happy to finish the day strong, take third overall, and secure another win in Enduro1. Leaving Italy with the overall lead is a great way to start the season, and I’m already looking forward to my home round in Spain.”
Andrea Verona: “We’ve completed the first weekend of the EnduroGP season, and it’s been really close from the first test to the last. Today I felt good on the bike and was able to improve compared to yesterday, making fewer mistakes and staying consistent throughout. The gaps were very tight, so I’m happy to come away with the Enduro2 win and second overall, just a few seconds from the victory. It’s a strong start to the season, and I’m looking forward to round two in Spain.”
Provisional Results – EnduroGP of Italy, Day 1
EnduroGP – Day 1
1. Josep Garcia (ESP), KTM, 1:04:32.29
2. Steve Holcombe (GBR), Sherco, 1:04:38.21+5.92
3. Andrea Verona (ITA), KTM, 1:05:03.00 +30.71
4. Antoine Magain (BEL), Sherco, 1:05:08.51 +36.22
5. Theo Espinasse (FRA), Fantic, 1:05:08.62 +36.33
Enduro1 – Day 1
1. Josep Garcia (ESP), KTM, 1:04:32.29
2. Antoine Magain (BEL), Sherco, 1:05:08.51 +36.22
3. Morgan Lesiardo (ITA), Triumph, 1:05:25.17 +52.88
4. Samuele Bernardini (ITA), Honda, 1:06:18.64 +1:46.35
5. Yago Martinez (ESP), KTM, 1:06:28.47 +1:56.18
Enduro2 – Day 1
1. Andrea Verona (ITA), KTM, 1:05:03.00
2. Zach Pichon (FRA), TM MOTO, 1:05:18.04 +15.04
3. Nathan Watson (GBR), Beta, 1:05:31.78 +28.78
4. Max Ahlin (SWE), Honda, 1:05:40.23 +37.23
5. Hamish Macdonald (NZL), Sherco, 1:05:53.66 +50.66
Provisional Results – EnduroGP of Italy, Day 2
EnduroGP – Day 2
1. Brad Freeman (GBR), Beta, 56:22.02
2. Andrea Verona (ITA), KTM, 56:26.94 +4.92
3. Josep Garcia (ESP), KTM, 56:31.34 +9.32
4. Antoine Magain (BEL), Sherco, 56:33.68 +11.66
5. Steve Holcombe (GBR), Sherco, 56:34.01 +11.99
Enduro1 – Day 2
1. Josep Garcia (ESP), KTM, 56:31.34
2. Antoine Magain (BEL), Sherco, 56:33.68 +2.34
3. Morgan Lesiardo (ITA), Triumph, 56:45.17 +13.83
4. Axel Semb (SWE), Husqvarna, 57:42.04 +1:10.70
5. Yago Martinez (ESP), KTM, 58:08.95 +1:37.61
Enduro2 – Day 2
1. Andrea Verona (ITA), KTM, 56:26.94
2. Nathan Watson (GBR), Beta, 56:57.66 +30.72
3. Zach Pichon (FRA), TM MOTO, 57:00.27 +33.33
4. Max Ahlin (SWE), Honda, 57:23.57 +56.63
5. Hamish Macdonald (NZL), Sherco, 57:42.46 +1:15.52
Championship Standings (After round 1)
EnduroGP
1. Josep Garcia (ESP), KTM, 35 pts
2. Andrea Verona (ITA), KTM, 32 pts
3. Steve Holcombe (GBR), Sherco, 28 pts
Enduro1
1. Josep Garcia (ESP), KTM, 40 pts
2. Antoine Magain (BEL), Sherco, 34 pts
3. Morgan Lesiardo (ITA), Triumph, 30 pts
Enduro2
1. Andrea Verona (ITA), KTM, 40 pts
2. Nathan Watson (GBR), Beta, 32 pts
3. Zach Pichon (FRA), TM MOTO, 32 pts
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