Does anyone know what’s happening?
I’ll be honest, I kind of still don’t really know what’s going on and we’re a week out from round one. There’s such a limited amount of information being shared from the Championship themselves that we thought… screw it! We don’t need all the facts to talk hard enduro. So I decided to put together some thoughts from the top of my head, not structured, not researched but rather an honest perspective before the season starts.
Personally I think that the drama and chaos of the championship last year robbed us of this ability to really feel anticipation heading into round one but this year feels different. Heading into the 2026 season I feel a sense of excitement and optimism. Almost as though something great is on the horizon. When I think about the hard enduro championship there are three main topics that come to mind. The riders, the championship and race organisers and media coverage. Now I’ve split the article into three otherwise you’ll get bored halfway through and not have something to look forward to. To get things going, let’s talk about:
The riders
The championship would be nothing without the riders. They are the absolute pinnacle of the sport and their stories are what makes it worth following. Watching a race without knowing who’s racing would be like watching a boxing match between two strangers. Technically impressive but do you even care who wins? Where’s the fun in that? Looking at the paddock, there have been big changes and loads has happened but overall they all seem to truly be on top of their game heading into round one.
We have Mario on his own team and one can only think, will this be the change he needs? Will he be able to pull it out the bag and truly take the championship by the horns? It does seems that he is more driven than ever to make it happen and I think he deserves a proper chance. Teodor is back from injury and looking not only as focused as ever but ready to dominate. A rider who knows what he wants and is dedicated to working to get there. Matt Green has a new lease on life after his trip to the US and rightfully so, he proved that he still has what it takes to be at the top, not only to us as fans of the sport but more importantly to himself. On the topic of Sherco, Lorenzo Gandola quietly slipped into the paddock almost unnoticed. Possibly a fresh direction for the team and undoubtably a rider to keep an eye on this year.
Both Billy and Mani became fathers and with that there is an inevitable shift in priorities. Does Mani still have another championship title ahead or has the time come where the others are actually taking shots at that target on his back? Billy is a powerhouse and after dominating another Super Enduro season is likely to be very confident heading into round one. 2025 was a good year for him, does he have more to give to consistently stay ahead of Mani? The rider on a lot of people’s radars this year is James Moore. Coming off an incredible 2025 season as the Junior champion he proved he has everything it takes to be at the top. His first year in the premier class will come with high expectations. It will be interesting to see how he deals with the external pressure but I know that this is just the start of a long career. I’m eager to see how he fits into the leading pack.
Wade comes across as someone who keeps his cards close to his chest. He’s a quiet rider who we don’t see or hear much of online. This year he has joined a new team alongside Matt. Personally I really hope to see him find his feet this year and rather than having to worry about being a privateer, thrive as a racer. Lastly, let’s talk about Mitch. Another rider who really showed his technique and drive in the Super Enduro championship. Has he finally found his feet in the premier class and going to take it to the big guns? Or has he settled into a comfortable rhythm looking to stay consistent?
Now I know there are a number of riders that have not been mentioned here… don’t even get me started on the juniors. That will need to be another article on it’s own. From my perspective this year is going to show us where the sport and riders are heading in the next few years. Maybe there are some things mentioned where you feel differently, or you’d like to share your thoughts. Drop a comment, I’d love to hear it!
In the next article we’ll be covering the topic of the championship, races and event organisers. Be sure to keep an eye out for it. Or just subscribe to the newsletter… that would probably be the most convenient.
Until then, go ride some dirt bikes!