Lettenbichler and Garcia Open SuperEnduro 2026 with Solid Performances in Gliwice

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing kicked off the 2026 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship with encouraging results in Gliwice, as Manuel Lettenbichler and Josep Garcia both delivered strong rides in a stacked Prestige field.

For Garcia, the night marked his first-ever SuperEnduro appearance, entering the event as a wildcard and immediately proving he belonged indoors. Lettenbichler, meanwhile, returned to SuperEnduro racing for the first time since 2024, using round one to rebuild rhythm and race sharpness.

SuperPole Debut for Garcia

Garcia impressed right from qualifying, securing a spot in SuperPole and laying down a clean, calculated lap to take fifth fastest aboard his KTM 250 EXC-F. The result earned the Spaniard a front-row start for race one, while Lettenbichler’s eighth-place qualifying time placed him on the second row.

Race One – Bar-to-Bar KTM Battle

At the start, Lettenbichler charged forward aggressively, reaching third place midway through lap one. Garcia followed closely, overtaking his teammate shortly after to slot into the top three.

As the race unfolded, the intensity of the Prestige field shuffled both riders back into a fierce scrap for the top six. The two KTM teammates went bar-to-bar in the closing laps, with Garcia eventually crossing the line in sixth, just under two seconds ahead of Lettenbichler in seventh.

Race Two – Reverse Grid Challenge

Race two’s reverse grid placed Lettenbichler on the front row, and he capitalised early by jumping into fourth place. Garcia, starting further back, stayed calm through the opening chaos and worked his way forward steadily.

A small mistake cost Lettenbichler several positions, while Garcia thrived in the tight indoor battles, carving his way through the pack. At the chequered flag, Garcia claimed eighth, with Lettenbichler finishing 11th.

Race Three – Strong Finish

The final race of the night delivered plenty of drama. Garcia made another solid start and rode with confidence, holding a top-three position for several laps. A clash in the pipe section dropped him back, allowing Lettenbichler to slip past.

The two KTM riders fought hard to the finish, with Lettenbichler securing fifth place and Garcia crossing the line four seconds later in sixth.

Overall Classification

After three intense races:

• Josep Garcia wrapped up the night sixth overall, an impressive result on his SuperEnduro debut.
• Manuel Lettenbichler followed closely in eighth, just three points behind his teammate.

The championship now heads into a short break before resuming with round two in Riesa, Germany, on January 3.

Rider Reactions

Manuel Lettenbichler:

“It was a bit of a mixed day. I felt rusty coming in – the pace is high, the track is slippery, and mistakes come easily. But my speed improved as the night went on. A top-five moto was a good step, and now we know what to work on before Riesa.”

Josep Garcia:

“This was my first SuperEnduro ever, and I’m really proud of how it went. Qualifying for SuperPole was a big goal, and the races were so much fun. I improved with every moto and found a good rhythm. I think SuperEnduro has skills I can take back to EnduroGP – and I’d love to race a full season one day.”