The Rieju Factory Team made its debut at the opening round of the 2026 FIM Enduro World Championship, held on the picturesque island of Sicily for the EnduroGP of Italy. The event stood out for its stunning landscapes and demanding, dry terrain, featuring grass specials combined with very rocky sections with low grip, requiring riders to stay fully focused at all times.
In the premier Enduro3 class, Dominik Olszowy, still sidelined due to injury, did not compete, leaving American rider Rachel Gutish as the team’s main contender as she set out to defend her title.
On Friday afternoon, the traditional SuperTest took place in the town of Custonaci, using a marble quarry as the track setting. As expected, the first American Women’s Enduro World Champion, Rachel Gutish, showcased her speed and technique by setting the fastest time among the Women’s riders.
It’s worth noting that the Women’s category combines two classes, EW and JW (Junior), making it highly competitive. On Saturday, Gutish pushed hard from the start, completing the first lap in provisional second place. However, a one-minute penalty dropped her down the standings. Despite this setback, she remained focused, fought back, and secured second place on the podium. On Sunday, competition remained intense, and although Gutish once again battled at the front, another penalty affected her race, leaving her in third place. With these results, she leaves Italy second overall in the championship standings.
Her teammate, British rider Rosie Rowett, struggled to find her rhythm in this opening round, finishing seventh in the EW class on Saturday, before improving to sixth on Sunday. She currently sits eleventh overall in the provisional standings.
Maria San Miguel, riding her Rieju with support from Team RFME, fought for podium positions throughout the day, finishing fifth in the EW class. On the second day, with more demanding conditions, she placed eighth in her category. She holds the same position overall in the provisional standings.
In the Junior class, Liam Sanjuan was unable to find his pace, finishing fourteenth in Junior 1 on both days, placing him sixteenth overall. It was an outstanding weekend for Jordi Galera who, having recovered from a hand injury sustained earlier this year, delivered an excellent performance by winning the Open2S class on both Saturday and Sunday. As a result, he leads the category standings.
The second round of the EnduroGP World Championship will take place from May 1st to 3rd in Oliana (Lleida), for the GP of Spain.
Jordi Galera:
“Honestly, the weekend couldn’t have gone better. We managed to win both race days, improving step by step on a difficult terrain. Even though it was hard to adapt at first, we managed to set good times and take the win. Sunday was a bit tighter, but everything went well; we didn’t make too many mistakes. We’re happy with these results and will keep pushing in this direction.”
