EnduroGP World Champion, Josep García has hit the ground running in the EnduroGP World Championship, thanks to three wins at the GP of Italy and the GP of Spain. With the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing ace heading to the GP of Finland next week holding an 11-point lead in the championship chase, he's already looking tough to beat in 2026.

Despite winning the opening day in Italy, and backing it up with third on day two, Josep felt round one was not his finest moment. Working on setup changes between Italy and Spain, things began to click, and at round two he showed that he was firing on all cylinders.

Following a double victory at his home Grand Prix, it was time to grab five minutes with Garcia and take stock of his season so far…

With two EnduroGP wins and the Super Test win at the EnduroGP of Spain, your home race could not have gone better!

Josep Garcia: “Yes, it was an incredible weekend. I made a small change on the bike coming into the race and it made a big difference. At the GP of Italy, I wasn’t feeling comfortable, so we went back to some settings that we had from last year and the feeling I was looking for came back. It was amazing to ride like that and achieve the wins at home.”

We saw last year you were fast in Oliana - winning day one, but had an injury on day two while leading. Is this region somewhere that feels comfortable for you?

“I like it here in these mountains. I’ve raced Basella in this region since I was about 10 years old. Then we had EnduroGP here last year. So for sure I have some experience with this terrain. But it also helps to have my family and friends here too, that carries extra motivation too.”

They made some changes to the tests this year, for example a new Extreme Test, was this a good step forward for the club to make?

“This year I really liked the Enduro Test. The Cross Test was really flat all the way, which I don’t like. The Extreme Test was also very good. It had nothing impossible, which is sometimes better when it’s like this for racing. I feel when you put in something really, really difficult, if you or another rider make a mistake on it, then you can lose the weekend in just five metres. Overall, I really enjoyed the race, just not so much the flat Cross Test, but it is what it is!

The Enduro Test mixed motocross and enduro elements, is it difficult to get the setup right for a special test like that?

“With the changes I mentioned we’d made, it’s super good now, so I feel good for any terrain or condition. On the Enduro Test, the goal was not to make a mistake on the final motocross section of the test after more than 10 minutes of pushing hard in the forest. On Saturday, I did that three corners towards the end and felt stupid for it. But it was a good Enduro Test - I had to change my rhythm many times and stay focused all of the way.”

The rain on day one was not heavy, but it really made things tricky. Did it catch you out at times?

“Actually, all weekend the weather was not easy. Sometimes I would have liked to have the soft tyre in the rear, but sometimes not. So conditions were not perfect either day. On Saturday, when we started at the front, we lost time. Then after about seven bikes, the mud cleared better and there was more traction. Even on Sunday morning the Enduro Test was wet. But you need to stay focused and give 100 percent with what you have.

On Sunday, you started out with a 17-second win in the Enduro Test. Even for you that must have come as a surprise?

“It’s always a surprise to pull a gap, but that gap was a big one. I knew that if I hit everything perfect then I could make a gap, but maybe not as big. On Saturday, during the first two laps, I made a lot of mistakes but my times were still quite nice, with only Brad Freeman beating me. On the last lap, I got the perfect test done and saw a big gap. So I knew starting out on Sunday morning that if I made a perfect run, then there was the chance to do something special.”

After that first Enduro test, what was the feeling like - did you attack the rest of the day or try to manage your lead?

“Last year, I had a bad experience, with a crash while leading. So for sure, I managed my lead, but I still needed to race at 100 percent. Although I had a 17-second lead, I kept pushing to build it out to 40 seconds. I didn’t want to rest on that advantage too soon. I really only managed things in the Cross Test because I wasn’t enjoying that one. But in Enduro and Extreme Test, I was pushing all of the time - only easing off on the final Extreme. In the end, when you make bad decisions in the past, you learn from those lessons and carry them with you into the next situation. I’ve had a few, so for sure that experience helped!”

The EnduroGP class is super competitive this season. There are at least five guys who can win and younger guys are reaching the podium. Is the racing in a good place?

“Yes, for sure. But, I don’t feel like it’s only happening this year because it’s been building since 2024. When it’s more competitive, you see good battles and people tune in more. Everyone wants to win and is on the limit to do so. Steve, Brad, and myself - Andrea, maybe not quite yet - we are the older guys, but even with the younger riders coming in, we are still here fighting.” 

The EnduroGP of Finland is next on the calendar. You rode well last year in Sweden, what’s your thoughts on returning to Scandinavia - the terrain will be the most unique of the season?

“I’ve made good races in Finland in the past. With the terrain, it’s a race you need to train for to be ready for the conditions. But it’s only when you go there do you see how everything is, how your feeling is on the bike. It’s a race you need to take test by test.”

You had a busy off-season - from a late finish to the Spanish championship to SuperEnduro, Basella, and more. Has it been a benefit to you to keep riding and racing like that?

“In some ways it’s been a benefit, but in some ways not. I feel like I learned some good things from SuperEnduro, but the offset was no rest. I did SuperEnduro because I wanted to try it and maybe in the future I’ll do the full season. But the racing is so different. You can bring some good things back to enduro, but fitness and feeling is way different.”

With two rounds complete, and three EnduroGP wins taken, do you feel in the right place or do you think you can find more pace?

“I don’t know! Honestly, I’m just having fun and giving my 100 percent. The small change we made on the bike has really improved my feeling since the GP of Italy. I’m happier on my bike. I can be on the limit and feel safe. I’m enjoying my racing and I feel like I am in the right place now.”

Credit photos: Future7Media