Repsol Honda HRC Lead the Charge into X-Trial Madrid

Toni Bou and Gabriel Marcelli head to the Madrid Arena for Round 2 of the 2026 X-Trial World Championship, aiming to extend Repsol Honda HRC’s dominant start after a strong opening victory in Andorra.

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The second stop of the 2026 X-Trial World Championship takes place this Saturday, October 25, at the Madrid Arena. This time, all eyes are on Repsol Honda HRC as they arrive leading the series. Fresh from a perfect start in Andorra, Toni Bou tops the championship standings. Gabriel Marcelli is right behind him in second, marking a strong early statement from the reigning champions.

Bou Aims to Extend His Reign

Toni Bou, the most decorated rider in X-Trial history, opened his title defence in style by winning the season opener. Now returning to Madrid, one of his home events, he’s determined to reclaim the top step of the podium after narrowly missing out last year.

“We’re excited to be back in Madrid,” said Bou. “The last round here didn’t go as planned, so we’ll try to repeat what we achieved in Andorra. The goal is to reach the final and fight for another win, but we know that consistency across the season is what really matters. I’m feeling stronger with each race and happy with the progress we’ve made since the opener.”

Marcelli Building on His Momentum

Teammate Gabriel Marcelli continues to impress after finishing runner-up in Andorra, a result that extended the excellent form he showed at the end of the 2025 campaign. Marcelli is still chasing his first X-Trial victory. He aims to build on his momentum and take another step forward in the Spanish capital.

“I feel great right now,” Marcelli commented. “We came really close to the win in Andorra, and competing at Repsol’s home event gives us extra motivation. The last time we raced in Madrid, I just missed out on the final, so this time I want to be in the fight for the top spot. Everyone’s riding at a high level, but we’ll give everything we have.”

Team Confidence Running High

Repsol Honda HRC Team Manager Takahisa Fujinami expressed confidence ahead of Round 2, noting that both riders’ strong results reflect the collective effort behind the scenes.

“We’re arriving in Madrid in a very good place,” Fujinami said. “Toni’s win in Andorra showed his usual class and control, while Gabri’s performance confirmed his growth and consistency. The whole team is working with great motivation, our aim is to keep the momentum and defend the championship lead.”

The Battle Continues in Madrid

The action kicks off at 6:00 p.m. local time on Saturday at the Madrid Arena. With Bou and Marcelli in top form and holding the championship lead, Repsol Honda HRC aim to deliver another commanding performance and possibly repeat their one-two finish to tighten their grip on the 2026 X-Trial crown.