Mario Roman turned a difficult opening day at the Abestone Hard Enduro into a strong Sunday comeback, fighting for the podium and finishing fifth overall at Round 5 of the 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship.
The MR74 Racing rider struggled with a technical problem during Saturday’s Sprint Race, but an overnight engine change transformed his weekend and put him back among the fastest riders in the field when it mattered most.
A Difficult Saturday for Roman
Roman began the weekend with P11 in the Prologue, earning his place in the Gold field for the races to follow. But Saturday afternoon’s Sprint Race quickly became more complicated.
A problem with the bike’s power valve prevented Roman from riding with the confidence and rhythm he wanted on the technical five-kilometre course. He still completed three laps and finished P8, but the performance was clearly below what both rider and team expected. With Sunday’s main race still to come, the team decided not to gamble.
Engine Change Overnight
Roman and his crew changed the engine overnight. The effect was immediate. From the beginning of Sunday’s two-hour-plus-one-lap Final, Roman looked like a completely different rider.
His technique on the steep Italian hillclimbs became one of the highlights of the race. While other riders were losing momentum or searching for lines, Roman was able to make passes and recover time in some of the most technical sections of the course.
Roman Battles for the Podium
Rather than simply recovering from Saturday, Roman pushed himself directly into the fight for a podium position. Around one hour into the race, he became involved in a strong battle with James Moore, with the two Plews-supported riders fighting close to the front of the field.
Moore eventually finished fourth, but Roman remained in the battle throughout the six-lap race. After more than two hours of Hard Enduro, the Spaniard crossed the finish line in fifth overall. Only five Gold riders completed the full six-lap distance.
From P8 to Fighting the World’s Best
Roman’s Abestone result was about much more than the final position. Saturday showed how quickly a mechanical issue can compromise a Hard Enduro weekend. Sunday showed what happens when the problem is removed.
With a fresh engine underneath him, Roman was once again able to use the precise hillclimbing technique and controlled riding style that have made him one of the most experienced riders at the front of the World Championship.
From struggling to enjoy the bike on Saturday to challenging for the podium one day later, it was a significant turnaround.
P5 in the HEWC Standings
After five rounds, Roman sits fifth overall in the 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship.
Three races remain:
- Roof of Africa – Lesotho
- Sea to Sky – Turkey
- Hixpania – Spain
With Abestone behind him and the bike working properly again, Roman heads into the final part of the season still firmly inside the championship top five.
