Repsol Honda HRC Dominate Day Two in Ponte di Legno

Repsol Honda HRC secure another one-two finish at the X-Trial World Championship in Ponte di Legno, with Toni Bou winning ahead of Gabriel Marcelli to extend their title charge.

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Repsol Honda HRC continued their commanding form in the 2026 X-Trial World Championship with a dominant display on Day Two in Ponte di Legno, as Toni Bou claimed victory ahead of teammate Gabriel Marcelli. The result marked the team’s fourth one-two finish of the season and brought the first half of the championship to a close on a high note.

Bou set the tone early in the day, producing a flawless performance in the opening round. On a circuit featuring slight modifications to the previous day’s sections, the Montesa Cota 4RT rider completed the lap without a single penalty point. His perfect run secured him a direct place in the final alongside Marcelli and Harry Hemingway. Bou then went on to top Super Pole with a time of 0:53.3, earning the advantage of starting last in the decisive final.

In the final, the level of difficulty increased significantly, but Bou once again proved untouchable. Despite strong pressure from his rivals and riding through physical discomfort, the reigning champion delivered a composed and decisive performance to secure his fifth victory of the season and the 95th indoor win of his career.

The result extends his championship lead to 23 points, with Bou heading into the Christmas break firmly in control of the title race on 95 points.

Marcelli also delivered a strong showing on Saturday, demonstrating improved confidence and consistency compared to the previous day. He completed the first round with just two penalty points to finish second and qualify directly for the final. In Super Pole, where even minor errors can be costly, Marcelli posted a time of 1:04.6, placing him second-to-last in the final’s starting order.

Undeterred, the Montesa Cota 4RT rider took calculated risks during the final and engaged in an intense battle for the podium positions. His efforts paid off with a second-place finish, allowing him to consolidate his position as Bou’s closest challenger in the championship. Marcelli now sits second overall on 72 points, holding a 10-point advantage over Jaime Busto, who failed to qualify for the final on Day Two.

With the Italian round complete, Repsol Honda HRC will enjoy a break of more than a month before competition resumes on January 24 in Leeds, United Kingdom, where the second half of the X-Trial World Championship season will begin.

Reflecting on the weekend, Bou described it as an ideal outcome for both himself and the team. He highlighted the importance of securing back-to-back victories and expressed satisfaction with his physical condition, noting that the work done since the Reunion Island round is paying dividends.

Marcelli echoed the positive sentiment, saying he leaves Ponte di Legno with renewed confidence in his riding. While acknowledging some difficulties in the more technical sections of the final, he emphasised the importance of the result for the championship standings and welcomed the upcoming break before the next round.

Team Manager Takahisa Fujinami praised the overall team effort, calling the weekend “incredible” and singling out Bou’s perfect opening round and Marcelli’s improved comfort on the bike. He also noted the significance of Marcelli gaining ground in the standings following Busto’s absence from the final, adding that the short break will be used to rest and prepare for a strong return in January.