The opening full day of racing at the 2026 EnduroGP World Championship in Custonaci, Italy delivered an intense battle at the front, with Josep Garcia securing victory after a hard-fought fight with Steve Holcombe.
Racing across dry, dusty, and rocky Sicilian terrain, the top riders were separated by just seconds after more than an hour of special tests, highlighting the incredibly competitive level of the 2026 field.
Garcia carried momentum from his Super Test win into Day 1, but was pushed all the way to the finish by Holcombe in what became one of the closest battles of the weekend.
A Tight Fight from Start to Finish
Garcia set the early pace, leading the opening stages ahead of Zach Pichon and Andrea Verona, with the top ten riders covered by less than nine seconds.
Holcombe soon found his rhythm, topping the Enduro Test and closing the gap, while Garcia responded by extending his lead to nearly eight seconds by the end of the first lap.
On lap two, the fight intensified as Verona topped the Cross Test, reducing the gap at the front and bringing multiple riders back into contention.
Holcombe mounted a late charge, winning the penultimate Enduro Test and the final Cross Test, but Garcia responded under pressure to maintain control and secure the overall victory.
EnduroGP Day 1 Results, Italy
| Position | Rider |
|---|---|
| 1 | Josep Garcia |
| 2 | Steve Holcombe |
| 3 | Andrea Verona |
| 4 | Antoine Magain |
| 5 | Theo Espinasse |
Garcia ultimately held on for the win, with Holcombe finishing second in an impressive performance on his Sherco debut. Verona completed the podium, while Magain and Espinasse rounded out the top five—separated by just fractions of a second in one of the closest finishes of the day.
Close Margins Define the Opening Round
The Day 1 results underline just how competitive the 2026 EnduroGP season is expected to be, with multiple riders capable of challenging for podiums and victories.
Despite carrying an injury, Pichon remained in contention throughout the day, while Verona and Magain consistently challenged near the front.
With such small gaps between the leading riders, consistency across every test proved crucial in determining the final outcome.
Strong Performances Across the Classes
Beyond the overall standings, several riders delivered standout performances across the different classes. Holcombe not only secured second overall but also took victory in the Enduro3 category, marking a strong start with his new team.
In the Women’s class, Justine Martel claimed her first-ever world championship win, while the Junior category saw Alberto Elgari take an impressive debut victory.
The Youth class also produced exciting racing, with Pietro Scardina charging through the field to take victory after a late mistake from the early leader.
Championship Battle Underway
Garcia’s Day 1 victory gives him the early advantage in the championship standings, but Holcombe’s pace signals that the fight for the 2026 title will be closely contested.
With multiple riders within seconds of each other, every test and every mistake will play a decisive role as the season progresses.
As the EnduroGP paddock looks ahead to Day 2 in Italy, the stage is set for another intense battle in what is shaping up to be a thrilling championship.