2026 ISDE – DAY 1 WRAP

The change in weather resulted in a number of favourites in the World Trophy categories making some last-minute tyre decisions during the morning service. As riders arrived at the opening special test of six for Day One, the rain had made conditions very slippery indeed.

Italy’s Samuele Bernardini (Honda) danced the fine line of risk and reward to perfection, winning the opening special test of the 6DAYS® Italia by seven seconds over his teammate, Andrea Verona (GASGAS). Exiting the first special test, Italy were off to a flying start taking a twenty-one-second lead over Sweden in second, with France a further twenty-three seconds back in third.

However, on the following special test, France were up to speed and had raced their way into the overall lead. Spain were up to second, with Italy dropping back to third. At the midway point in the day, France continued to hold firm in first, extending their advantage to fifty-five seconds over Spain, with the United States climbing to third.

As the day progressed, France remained out front, eventually finishing Day One with a thirty-four-second lead over Italy in second. Sweden raced their way back into contention from sixth at the halfway point in the day to finish behind Italy in third, while Spain and the United States completed the top-five.

“It’s been a good start to the 6DAYS® for us. To lead at the end of Day One is exactly the start we were hoping for,” told France’s Hugo Blanjoue (Honda).

“The conditions were difficult. The first test had a lot of water and roots to deal with – line choice was critical there and on most tests. We’ll assess things tonight and make a plan for tomorrow, for sure it will be a tough day.”

However, the Italians were pushed hard by the French, with the gap reduced to just two seconds at the end of the third special test. Italy managed to stretch that advantage back out to an eventual forty-three seconds, but it is clear they will not have things their own way in Bergamo.

“Today was a good start for us,” said Elgari. “The goal was to be in a strong position and we made that by taking the lead, so I think we are on the right way.

“The first lap was very slippery after the rain, but later on the ground was better and it was easier to find grip. This is my first time racing a 250 four-stroke, so hopefully tomorrow I can begin to improve with the bike and flow better.”

Australia were never far away from Italy and France throughout Day One, finishing in third. They lie just one-minute-and-two-seconds behind Italy and will look to reduce that deficit as the week progresses.

The battle for the remainder of the top five is incredibly close between the United States in fourth and Spain in fifth. Only one-tenth-of-a-second split the two nations, meaning it will be an intense start to Day Two for both teams. Defending champions Sweden ended Day One in sixth and are three minutes behind Spain.

In the MOTOREX Women’s World Trophy competition, the United States stamped their authority on Day One at the 6DAYS® Italia. Chasing their sixth victory in the 6DAYS® FIM Enduro of Nations, they signed off on Day One with a near-seven-minute lead over Australia. However, there is still a very long way to go in this year’s race and the United States know they will need to keep building on their advantage tomorrow.

“For the team it was incredible to finish Day One as the first three riders,” commented Brandy Richards (KTM) for the United States. “For sure, it’s the start we were hoping for.”

“This morning was hard. I think we all struggled out there in the conditions because the opening lap was so slippery. But we are in a good spot now and hope to build on this.”

Behind the United States, the fight for the remainder of the podium is already proving incredibly close. Australia finished Day One in second, but only hold a lead of twelve seconds over France in third. It was a great start for Great Britain on Day One in fourth, while host nation Italy completed the top five.

In the battle for outright individual honours, it was Spain’s Josep Garcia (KTM) who ended Day One with an early lead. Bidding for his fifth consecutive 6DAYS® victory, Garcia was pushed hard from the off and did not have an easy run of things.

With Bernardini winning the opening special test, Garcia won special tests two and three, before Bernardini topped special test four. Verona then won the final two special tests of the day, proving just how competitive this year’s 6DAYS® Italia is.

Completing Day One, Garcia leads by seven seconds over France’s Leo Le Quere (TM MOTO), with Verona in third. Bernardini is fourth, with France’s Julien Roussaly (Sherco) fifth.

“I started the first lap in a good way,” said Garcia. “But on the second lap I had two crashes, and in the last test I lost twenty seconds with another crash. But I’m okay and will continue to give one-hundred per cent tomorrow.”

Thanks to his outright win on Day One, Garcia also leads the Enduro1 category over Bernardini in second, with Blanjoue third.

Verona was best of the Enduro2 class riders on Day One, securing a nineteen-second lead over the United States’ Jonathan Girroir (KTM) in second, with France’s Theo Espinasse (Sherco) third.

The Enduro3 category marked a one-two for France, with Le Quere taking the win over Roussaly. Australia’s Josh Strang (Beta) finished behind them in third.

The Women’s category saw the United States take first, second and third on Day One in Italy. Richards led home teammates Korie Steede (Husqvarna) and Rachel Gutish (RIEJU) in second and third, respectively

In the Club Team Award category, MC Italia A completed Day One of the 6DAYS® Italia as the team to beat. They secured an early lead of one-minute-and-thirty-five seconds over BBM – Racing Time in second, with Team Rabaconda third. Missouri Mudders and MOJO/SXS completed a competitive top-five.

The Veteran Club Team class saw Gottbros Team claim a commanding win over Motosport Bozkov 2 in second, with Moto Club Nave third. Completing Day One, Randy Mastin Memorial is the sole entry in the Women’s Club Team category.

After an exciting start to the 6DAYS® Italia, competitors will repeat today’s Loop One – Val Cavallina, to the east of Bergamo, for Day Two.