Damon Garrell Crowned 2026 FIM Hard Enduro Youth World Cup Champion
Damon Garrell has been crowned the 2026 FIM Hard Enduro Youth World Cup winner, capping an impressive season for the young Trademore Sherco Racing Team rider. Competing on a Sherco 125, Garrell has emerged as the leading rider in the Youth category, completing a championship campaign that began with victory in France and culminated with the title being confirmed at Hixpania in Spain.
The official FIM Hard Enduro World Championship account has announced Garrell as its 2026 Youth World Cup winner, marking a major milestone for the young rider and his team.
His championship success is particularly impressive given the demands of hard enduro, where riders must negotiate difficult natural terrain while managing their bikes, stamina and race pace across a variety of event formats.
Garrell built his title challenge from the opening round
Garrell made an immediate impression at the opening round of the championship, the 24MX Alestrem in France in April. Riding his Sherco 125, he won the Youth Cup after topping his class across the event's three days, including the Friday sprint races, Saturday's Minerva Prologue and Sunday's main race.
That performance put him at the top of the Youth standings early in the season and established him as a serious contender for the overall title. His ability to deliver across different stages of the same event was an early indication that he had the consistency needed for a championship campaign.
By the time the series reached Hixpania, Garrell had built a commanding advantage. Enduro21 reported ahead of the Spanish finale that he held a 94-point lead in the Youth World Cup standings and could no longer be caught on points. The final round provided the opportunity for the championship to be formally settled once the classifications were confirmed.
A Sherco 125 proving its potential
One of the standout details of Garrell's season has been his continued success aboard a 125cc machine. In a discipline where riders regularly tackle steep climbs, rocky sections and technically demanding obstacles, getting the most from a smaller-capacity two-stroke requires precision, commitment and intelligent riding.
Garrell's achievements have extended beyond the Youth category. At the 2026 Sea to Sky Mountain Race, he became the first rider to finish the gruelling mountain event on a 125cc motorcycle, another notable moment in his developing hard enduro career.
That result demonstrated a different side of his riding. Rather than chasing outright position at Sea to Sky, Garrell explained that reaching the finish was his priority. Completing such a demanding course on the Sherco 125 added further evidence of his determination and ability to manage difficult terrain.
Our take: Garrell's championship is about more than outright speed. His early victory at Alestrem showed he could compete across multiple race formats, while his Sea to Sky achievement highlighted his persistence over a much longer challenge. Together, those performances suggest a rider who understands that success in hard enduro often depends on making good decisions as much as riding quickly.
What the Youth World Cup title means for Garrell
The Youth category provides a competitive pathway for younger riders developing their skills on smaller-capacity machinery. According to The Times of Eswatini's report from Alestrem, the category is aimed at riders under 20 on motorcycles up to 150cc.
For Garrell, winning the 2026 title places him among the season's leading emerging talents in international hard enduro. It also rewards the work of the Trademore Sherco Racing Team, which has supported his campaign and helped him compete against riders from across the world.
The next challenge will be building on that success as he continues to develop. Hard enduro is a discipline where experience matters enormously, and competing across different terrain, race formats and conditions offers valuable lessons for the seasons ahead.
For now, Garrell can celebrate a world title secured through a season of strong performances. From winning the Youth Cup at Alestrem to making history on a 125cc bike at Sea to Sky, the 2026 campaign has given the young Sherco rider several reasons to be proud.
With the Youth World Cup crown now confirmed, Damon Garrell is a name worth following as the next generation of hard enduro talent continues to emerge.