Category: News

Stay informed about the latest Enduro news, race results, events, and stories in off-road motorcycling.

Todd Kellett Claims Record Seventh Win at Weston Beach Race Ahead of Billy Bolt

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Weston Beach Race Podium. Credit: @billybolt57 Instagram

Todd Kellett creates history at the infamous Weston Beach Race with a seventh victory, beating Billy Bolt and Dan Thornhill – David Knight fifth, top over-40 on a Ducati Desmo 450.

Unfortunate weather from Storm Amy meant organisers had to cram all races into a single day, with the main solo race being reduced to 90 minutes – half its usual length.

Sand racing star and world champion Todd Kellett won Weston-super-Mare beach for a record seventh time. Kellett navigated 10 flawless laps on the dot to the second on the Drag’On Yamaha YZ450F at 1:30.

Just 1:36 behind the world Hard Enduro and SuperEnduro champion was Billy Bolt. With little time on sand or on his 450 Husqvarna, Bolt arrived at the British coast midway through a packed Hard Enduro World Championship schedule – having recently claimed victory at Hixpania two weeks earlier, and next heading straight to Turkey for the Sea to Sky round.

Swapping his 300 two-stroke extreme bike for merciless beach racing on the large 450 isn’t unfamiliar territory for Bolt – he famously clinched his 2018 WESS world title at Red Bull Knock Out in the Netherlands and has turned in strong Weston results before. Finishing second behind the world’s top sand racer on merit alone is an achievement worthy of praise.

Bolt’s helmet cam footage looks wild:

David and the Desmo

The top four was completed by motocross youngsters Dan Thornhill and Shane Carless, before another familiar name appeared in fifth: David Knight. As with Bolt, the multi-time world champion is a Weston regular, but this year he arrived after working right up to the wire to prepare his Ducati Desmo 450 for competition. Fifth overall and first over-40 rider capped off a strong showing for Knighter.

2025 Weston Beach Race – Solo Results (Top 25)

1. Todd Kellett (Yamaha) – 1:30:08.378 – 10 laps
2. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) – +1:36.422
3. Dan Thornhill – +3:56.094

Weston Beach Race. Credit: @billyboly57 Instagram


4. Shane Carless – +4:00.078
5. David Knight (Ducati) – +5:29.409 – 1st O40
6. Sam Hughes – +7:37.099
7. Sam Davies – +8:20.963
8. Tyler Westcott – +8:57.998
9. J. Wainwright – 1 lap
10. Sion Talbot – 1 lap
11. Ricky Wiggins – 1 lap
12. R. Moorhouse – 1 lap
13. Lewis Pyne – 1 lap
14. Andrew Gillett – 1 lap
15. J. Margetson – 1 lap
16. Alfie Calvert – 1 lap
17. Mike Williams – 1 lap
18. Josh Greedy – 1 lap
19. Leon Williams – 1 lap
20. Ryan Crowder – 1 lap
21. Bradley King – 1 lap
22. Jordan Wright – 1 lap
23. J. Llewellyn – 1 lap
24. James Dent – 1 lap
25. James Bates – 1 lap

2026 EnduroGP calendar revealed with Wales to host season finale

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2026 EnduroGP World Championship. Photo Credit: Future7Media

The 2026 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship provisional calendar schedule has been announced and includes seven rounds from April to August. Italy gets us started in April, and the final make-or-break round has been awarded to Wales next summer.

Italy gets us started in April

The season will get underway in Italy on April 10–12, a country renowned for its glorious enduro heritage. Spain follows early in May, with riders next heading north for a Scandinavian challenge in Finland later in the month.

Back-to-back in Portugal

Two consecutive weekends in Portugal in June will see rounds four and five of the championship deliver mixed terrain and enthusiastic local support. The penultimate event, due to be held mid-July, is yet to be confirmed.

Wales returns for the season finale

After two hugely successful years in 2024 and 2025, the GP of Wales will wrap up the championship on August 7–9, with world championships decided. Organisers say advancing the season from earlier years ensures momentum carries through to October’s ISDE.

2026 EnduroGP World Championship Calendar. Credit: Dirt Hub

Prime Stadium Eventos MD Carla Alvarenga said the goal was to offer a series at the highest level.”Spreading over seven rounds, we are actually able to test the best enduro riders on a wide variety of terrain. Each round has its own character.”

The EnduroGP 2026 scheduled dates are:

  • April 10-12 – Italy
  • May 01-03 – Spain
  • May 22-24 – Finland
  • June 12-14 – Portugal
  • June 19-21 – Portugal
  • July 17-19 – TBA
  • August 07-09 – Wales

Photo Credit: Future7Media

Husqvarna trims 2026 enduro line-up with TE two-strokes and FE450 four-stroke

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Credit: Husqvarna

Husqvarna has stripped down its 2026 off-road range, keeping only four models for now. The TE150, TE250, TE300, and FE450 all return with key updates – but some fan favourites are missing.

Husqvarna has officially unveiled its 2026 off-road range now, as anticipated pretty much confirming a more narrow range built around three TE two-strokes and the FE450 four-stroke. The news comes after the release earlier in the year of the FX350 and suggests Husqvarna is streamlining its range, with dual-sport and special editions to appear later in 2025.

Familiar names return

The 2026 enduro series will include the TE150, TE250, and TE300 two-strokes returning with fresh updates, alongside the flagship FE450 four-stroke. Prices will remain close to 2025 MSRPs, but Husqvarna says riders can look for destination and local fees to be added separately on dealer plates.

Credit: Husqvarna

For two-stroke fans, Throttle Body Injection continues across the TE model line, giving a more predictable throttle feeling and more refined power delivery. Compared to that, the FE450 has traction control, engine maps that can be selected, and a Quickshifter to give smooth upshifts even when on power.

Credit: Husqvarna

Suspension and tech advancements

Husqvarna has also touched on suspension. The WP XACT Closed Cartridge forks now feature polished springs, a new pressure reservoir, and a one-piece hydrostop designed to improve damping. Companion changes to the WP XACT rear shock promise improved balance and more advanced handling on all four models.

Other upgrades include fresh graphics, radiator covers, and fork protectors, along with a fuel line guard and threaded radiator cap for added strength. The FE450 also has the advantage of a radiator fan to keep temperatures constant under pressure.

Availability

Husqvarna says the 2026 models will begin arriving at dealerships in fall 2025. While this release focuses on core enduro machines, more variants – including dual-sports and limited editions – are expected later in the year.

Billy Bolt drops exclusive photo of new boot – and fans are all saying the same thing

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Billy Bolt Boots. Credit: Sidi

Billy Bolt has unveiled his brand-new Crossair HD Purple & Yellow boots to fans – and they have gone into overdrive.

EnduroQUBE star Billy Bolt has revealed the extreme new design in an Instagram post, announcing the boots will make an appearance at Weston Beach Race this weekend before their official release in November.

“First look at new Crossair HD Billy Bolt Purple & Yellow boots! Get a first peek at our stand at Weston Beach Race this weekend before they arrive in November. Don’t miss out!” he wrote.

Fans go wild for bold colours

Supporters immediately piled into the comments, flooding the post with emojis and praise for the bold purple and yellow combination.

One fan wrote: “Now we’re talking good colours!!! 🔥🔥 match my road bike,”

While another simply added: “They look incredible 👏👏😍.”

Others named them “the best boot out there 💯” and “swanky 🔥🔥.”

Overall consensus? Bolt and Sidi have knocked it out of the park with this new model.

The lightest pro boot ever?

It’s not merely about looks. The Crossair HD has been promoted as the globe’s lightest professional motocross boot.

It is built with a fiberglass exoskeleton, having full armour, leg support, and built-in anti-hyperextension system to guard against dangerous movement — all while keeping weights at a minimum.

Credit: Sidi

A super-thin inner panel is designed to give riders increased contact and bike control, and the boots are totally CE Certified Level 2222 for protection.

They retail at £529.99 GBP and should hit the shelves by November with pre-release teasers already in progress in the UK.

With Bolt’s star power behind the release and fans already clamoring for US availability, the new Crossair HD could become the boot of the season overnight.

KTM Unveils 2026 300 EXC HARDENDURO With Big Updates for Toughest Terrains

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2026 KTM 300 EXC HARDENDURO. Credit: KTM

KTM has unveiled its 2026 300 EXC HARDENDURO, its latest bike to incorporate a slew of improvements aimed to keep the bike atop of all of motorcycling’s most grueling of events.

As Manuel Lettenbichler’s bike of preference and already on a path to securing a fifth Enduro World Championship crown, the HARDENDURO has been an off-road division flag bearer of sorts from KTM since its introduction in 2024. This latest incarnation comes equipped with improved suspension settings as well as new design flourishes all directed at a day of competition in the grueling world of Hard Enduro racing.

New appearance, new hardware

The 2026 machine is equipped with new graphics in KTM’s signature orange, balanced by white and black trimmings, a glossy orange frame, and anodized PowerParts. It is in mechanical alterations that hardcore riders will have a renewed interest.

Up front, the 48 mm WP XACT Closed Cartridge fork now has preload basevalve adjusters, new damping, lighter and shorter springs, and a new pressure reservoir design. A one-piece hydro stop saves 200 grams in weight. Out back, the shock is now a WP XPLOR PDS unit that has also been redeveloped to keep the chassis balanced.

Fueling receives a slight modification as well, this time in the guise of a new CPC connector cap giving extra strength and protection against grime. Cooling is revised through a new-look radiator cap and a standard-fit radiator fan.

2026 KTM 300 EXC HARDENDURO. Credit: KTM
2026 KTM 300 EXC HARDENDURO. Credit: KTM
2026 KTM 300 EXC HARDENDURO. Credit: KTM
2026 KTM 300 EXC HARDENDURO. Credit: KTM
2026 KTM 300 EXC HARDENDURO. Credit: KTM
2026 KTM 300 EXC HARDENDURO. Credit: KTM
2026 KTM 300 EXC HARDENDURO. Credit: KTM
2026 KTM 300 EXC HARDENDURO. Credit: KTM
2026 KTM 300 EXC HARDENDURO. Credit: KTM
2026 KTM 300 EXC HARDENDURO. Credit: KTM
2026 KTM 300 EXC HARDENDURO. Credit: KTM
2026 KTM 300 EXC HARDENDURO. Credit: KTM
2026 KTM 300 EXC HARDENDURO. Credit: KTM
2026 KTM 300 EXC HARDENDURO. Credit: KTM

HARDENDURO DNA

As its name indicates, the 300 EXC HARDENDURO is loaded out with a litany of race-prepped parts to conquer abusive landscape. Key items are:

  • Factory wheel set on black rims w/ orange nipples and hubs
  • Factory frame protectors and ribbed seat
  • Closed handguards and skid plate
  • Floating front disc with guards and fixed rear disc
  • Triple clamps CNC machined black anodized
  • Pull straps, radiator fan, and anodized orange trim throughout

The kit is finalized by Euro 5+ homologation so that the HARDENDURO is race- and road-proven in significant markets.

Availability

Production of the 2026 KTM 300 EXC HARDENDURO will be initiated from September 2025 at KTM’s Mattighofen plant.

Husqvarna’s 701 Enduro just got a major upgrade – here’s what’s new for 2025

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Husqvarna 701 Enduro. Credit: Husqvarna

The Husqvarna 701 Enduro has been updated for 2025 and continues to stand out as one of the finest dual-sport motorcycles available. It’s built to tackle rough trails just as confidently as long-distance road trips, blending off-road ability with modern technology.

Power and performance

The 701 Enduro is powered by Husqvarna’s 692.7cc single-cylinder LC4 engine, now refined with redesigned crankcases to cut drag and boost efficiency. It produces 79hp and 73Nm of torque, delivering strong but manageable acceleration.

Riders get a smooth ride thanks to ride-by-wire throttle response and a six-speed gearbox. An optional Quickshifter+ allows seamless clutchless up- and downshifts.

Off-road chassis

Built on a lightweight steel trellis frame, the 701 Enduro shows its dirt credentials through high-quality WP XPLOR suspension. The 48mm USD forks offer 265mm of travel, while the rear Pro-Lever shock gives 250mm.

Brembo brakes handle the stopping power with 300mm and 240mm discs, paired with Bosch ABS that can be switched between road and off-road modes – or turned off completely for maximum rider control.

Husqvarna 701 Enduro. Credit: Husqvarna
Husqvarna 701 Enduro. Credit: Husqvarna

Tech and connectivity

A 4.2-inch anti-glare TFT display is now standard, with smartphone connectivity via the Ride Husqvarna app. Riders can take calls, stream music and use Turn-by-Turn+ navigation.

Selectable ride modes – Street, Offroad and Rally – adjust engine response and traction control to match conditions.

Rider-focused design

At just 152kg dry, the 701 Enduro is easy to manage both on and off the road. Sleek new bodywork, a built-in fuel tank and extended seat design improve rider comfort and mobility in technical sections.

Husqvarna 701 Enduro. Credit: Husqvarna

Husqvarna 701 Key specs

  • Engine: 692.7cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled
  • Power: 79hp
  • Torque: 73Nm
  • Gearbox: 6-speed with optional Quickshifter+
  • Suspension: WP XPLOR – 265mm front / 250mm rear
  • Brakes: Brembo – 300mm front / 240mm rear
  • ABS: Bosch, road/offroad, switchable
  • Seat height: 935mm
  • Ground clearance: 265mm
  • Tank capacity: 13.5L
  • Dry weight: 152kg

Husqvarna’s 701 Official Promo

Every path, every horizon, a call to escape the cacophony and discover something better. It’s more than just a motorcycle. It’s the secret to your freedom.
Constructed with accuracy, strength, and unparalleled adaptability, it flourishes in areas where the map disappears, such as rocky mountain passes and undiscovered back roads.

It takes you into the wild and away from stereotypes. For people who value exploration over routine and who are looking for more than just a ride. With the new 701 Enduro, enjoy every second.

Billy Bolt drops photos after disputed Hixpania finish and fans all say the same thing

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BIlly Bolt - Credit: Instagram @billybolt57

Billy Bolt took to Instagram to put out a cheeky remark following his contentious removal from the 2025 Hixpania Hard Enduro, causing fans to be in a frenzy.

The British rider posted a charming carousel of images from the weekend with the following caption:

“Few pics from a race I didn’t win🧂.”

It comes not long after Bolt was officially classified in third position after leading for the majority of the race and being first across the X-Loop checkpoint.

Fans rush to Bolt’s rescue after contentious finish

The comment section on Bolt’s post was immediately flooded with memes, emojis, and encouragement. There were people jokingly in his defense, stating things such as “Haha I’ll be drunk and post a few pics of the beers I didn’t have,” and others sincerely calling him the “true winner.”

Credit:@billybolt57 Instagram
Credit:@billybolt57 Instagram

He was booed by Spanish fans, one saying, “Seguimos esperando a que salgas a pedir perdón.!! Bochornoso lo que hicistes en Aguilar de Campo.” and the other saying, “No la ganaste porque no quisiste. This translates to “We’re still waiting for you to come out and apologise… What you did in Aguilar de Campoo was shameful.” Another added: “You didn’t win it because you didn’t want to.”

Bolt’s personal account of the Hixpania uproar.

The uproar centers on the X-Loop section, in which Bolt and Mani Lettenbichler complained of a dangerous, newly incorporated climb. Instead of racing through this section, they deliberately slowed and rode it collectively for the fans—but this decision allowed Graham Jarvis, who was running behind, to complete the full loop and be declared the “official” winner.

After the race, Bolt stated: We had discussed beforehand not to do the X-Loop. It was after two hours of racing, there’s no reason to take on so much risk. Yeah, an upper-hill finish is cool for the fans, but to push the limits as far as they did, we truly feel there’s a point of limits for riders.

Although he was dropped from the platform, Bolt highlighted the camaraderie amongst the riders:

“It was not a straightforward choice, and from the viewpoint of fans, no one actually wants to confront it… but I do feel we riders should be solid in it. It was an unusual scenario, with no positive outcome on the horizon, but the unity being brought across all the riders is certainly a bright spot.”

What lies ahead for Bolt?

Technically, the event was won by Jarvis, but championship points fell to Bolt and Lettenbichler, both full-blown World Championship riders. Coming off a string of stellar recent results on a hot streak of its own, Bolt seeks to bounce on from Hixpania quickly—albeit facetiously so, or so his Instagram posting seems to show.

For the watching crowds, the pictures delivered one message: regardless of what the record books claimed, Bolt was clearly their Spain champion.

Lettenbichler Keeps Edge After Hixpania Drama – But Bolt Raises the Stakes for Title Run

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Manuel Lettenbichler. Credit: Red Bull

Manuel Lettenbichler entered round four of the 2025 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship under pressure — and left it more complicated than ever. The Red Bull KTM rider crossed the finish of Hixpania in second, only to be demoted to fourth after an X-Loop controversy. Yet by championship rules, he kept the lead. With just three rounds to go, the margins between him and Billy Bolt have never felt thinner.

A Duel on Edge: Hixpania’s Twist and Turns

In the main race, Mani and Bolt found themselves in a relentless two-hour dance, exchanging the lead over and over. “We overtook each other at least ten times during the race,” Mani would later recall. “Billy was stronger on one half of the course, while I excelled on the other. Ultimately, I lacked just a bit of strength to launch a real attack.”

The course, however, took a downturn when rain forced riders to skip the X-Loop section because of safety concerns. Two non-championship riders opted to try it anyway, sending them soaring higher in the ranking and shifting Mani’s official finish to fourth. Since they do not score in HEWC standings, Mani’s points remained solid.

In the midst of the upheaval, Mani was keeping a level head. “I’m very close to Billy right now”, he declared, confident in his position sitting atop the table.

What Bolt Must Do to Catch Lettenbichler

Bolt, meanwhile, isn’t just an observer — he’s a threat. At Abestone (round 3), he delivered a decisive win over Mani, taking maximum points. He later described their duel as a constant exchange of positions, and claimed: “There, I risked everything one last time and brought the small lead to the finish.”

Three rounds from completion, Bolt’s path is clear but risky.

  • Winning outright is essential; anything less allows Mani to widen his lead.
  • Gap Mani where he can — even a narrow margin matters in late acting points.
  • Be ready to think on your feet—the title fight doesn’t accommodate mistakes willingly.
  • Push all the time—Bolt has to prove capable of matching Mani’s rhythm, not just on good days but across all rounds.

If Billy Bolt achieves a succession of almost flawless performances, then the title is still in his sights. But Mani, despite the scandal surrounding Hixpania, has the edge — looking unperturbed amidst all the drama

Lookback On Mani Lettenbichler’s ‘Perfect Season’ And How He Dominated Every Race

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Mani Lettenbichler. Credit: YouTube

Few riders in motorsport history can claim perfection, but in 2023 Mani Lettenbichler did exactly that. At just 26, the German hard enduro sensation became the first rider ever to deliver a flawless FIM Hard Enduro World Championship season – six races, six wins, and a place in history.

Lettenbichler appeared on the Just Ride podcast to look back on that magical run, describing the year as “probably the hardest year ever.” It was, however, a year that left him with “so much confidence” that sometimes he felt like “you’re not going to lose anymore.”

Mani Lettenbichler shows what made the year 2023 stand.

Consistency in a routine that always challenges riders with varying terrains, formats, and lengths proved the deciding factor for Lettenbichler. “Every race is just so diverse, anything may occur,” he said. “However, by mid-season you feel like saying, I’m still winning… perhaps I could do that till the end of the world.”

He secured the championship with a race to spare, ultimately achieving a clean sweep before his adoring home fans. The Erzberg Rodeo, where merely nine riders crossed the finish line in 2023, served to highlight his dominance. At one moment, he turned to his rival, Billy Bolt, and declared, “I have never ridden better.”

The perfect season came with its own set of pressures. “By the end of the season, I was really freaking out, more or less, about delivering a perfect season,” Lettenbichler confessed. “I delivered a perfect season – and it’s become part of history.”

What drives him after perfection?

Having climbed to the top at such an early stage of life, the next question is: what compels him? Lettenbichler is humble as usual, saying, “There’s one day coming up when one guy’s gonna beat me, and I’m completely fine with it.” Nonetheless, his journey is far from complete. Standing at three Erzberg Rodeo wins, the intention is crystal clear: matching or breaking the five-win record.

More than winning, he aspires to lift the sport itself higher: “I’d like to make Hard Enduro bigger in Germany… not only like a motorbike racer, but like a sportsman that people know.”

A perfect season could mean invincibility but that which comes across strongly is Lettenbichler’s hunger coupled with humility. History is already his – but there is a feel that he’s only just began.

Bolt warns of escalating ‘danger arms race’ in Enduro track design

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Billy Bolt Warning - Credit: YouTube / Billy Bolt

Billy Bolt has expressed concern over what he calls an intensifying “danger arms race” in the construction of Enduro tracks, disagreeing that recent changes favor drama over safety. His scathing critique comes against the backdrop of controversial rule alterations and eleventh-hour course changes at the Hixpania Hard Enduro, an event that he feels represented a watershed moment of rider discontent.

Spectacle versus sport: when design is a liability

Bolt maintains that race promoters are becoming increasingly interested in including dramatic race features like giant “X-loops” and challenging hill climbs as a way of stimulating viewer interest. “We feel like we’re being compelled to entertain like circus animals at the end of a race stage, which we believe is unnecessary,” he noted. According to him, the real peril lies in the pursuit of extremes just for highlight-reel footage or social media content as opposed to keeping the competitive spirit going.

He detailed how riders had agreed on Friday to push back on new track elements they felt were excessive, but organizers refused to compromise. Bolt warned: “If we do this, this will then become the new norm… it’ll just become a competition of who has the maddest contraption to get to the finish line.” The sentiment resonated among riders who fear that safety margins are being eroded for spectacle’s sake.

What does that bode for the future of Enduro?

Bolt’s emotional protest could be the catalyst of a paradigm shift of Hard Enduro governing. A riders’ association—something he referred to in his vlog—gives tremendous impetus to the unified protest. Keeping in mind that the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship is still at its nascent stage (as it only became a full world championship in 2021),
Wikipedia
This could bring about a re-evaluation by race promoters and governing bodies of the balance of a course’s extremity against the safety that it is able to preserve.

There is a pattern of safety enhancements following protest by riders. In motocross racing and other racing events, fatal disasters have always followed course redesigns and enhanced regulations
Bolt’s voice calls for increased pressure for reforms: tighter controls, standards for ratification of tracks, clearer definitions between “challenging” and “dangerous,” and possibly independent review panels. If the organizers hold out, Bolt’s threat could be a battle cry—eliciting intervention from governing bodies, ahead of more riders insisting on enforcing changes on the day of racing.