On day five of the 100th edition of the 6DAYS FIM Enduro of Nations in Grândola, Spain won the World Trophy daily classification on Friday 16 October 2026. According to the organiser’s report, the Spanish team finished 47 seconds ahead of France. The overall standings did not change at the top: Italy still leads and goes into the final Final Cross Test, scheduled for today, Saturday 17 October, in Sines, as the front-runner.
Day five was the last full day with special tests. Because of a changed schedule, the World Trophy classes rode one and a half laps of the new Grândola – Alcácer do Sal loop, with five timed special tests and more than 140 kilometres of riding distance. The new tests were soft and sandy; the organiser wrote beforehand that the conditions would favour sand specialists.
Spain ahead of France, Italy third
“We did a great job as a team today,” said Josep García (KTM), according to the organiser. “In the soft conditions everyone pushed hard, and I’m really proud of how well everybody rode to get this result.” (Quote translated from the English original.)
According to the organisers, France took advantage of a slightly slower pace from the Italians, made up time and is less than three minutes behind Italy going into the final day. Before day five, the gap had been three minutes and 39 seconds, according to the FIM. Italy, who have led the World Trophy since the first day and are defending the title, finished third in the daily classification.
Third place in the daily classification was a close contest between the USA and Sweden: the Americans were one second ahead. In the overall standings, Sweden remains in third place. “With one day to go, we’re almost on the podium,” said Sweden’s Max Ahlin (Honda) (translated). According to the FIM, Spain had still been fifth after day four, 17 seconds behind the USA. After the day win, the team is fourth and the USA are fifth.
Five tests, five different fastest times
In the individual standings, a different rider won each of the five special tests: García the first, Andrea Verona (Italy, KTM) the second, Zach Pichon (France, TM Moto) the third, Grant Davis (USA, KTM) the fourth and Brad Freeman (Great Britain, Beta) the fifth. Pichon won the day, four seconds ahead of García, followed by Freeman, Verona and Davis.
According to Pichon himself, it was his first day win at the 6DAYS. “I really enjoyed riding in the sand today,” he said, according to the organiser (translated). “I didn’t make too many mistakes and was able to win the third test to build a small gap.”
In the battle for overall victory, Verona leads García by ten seconds going into the final day. After day four it had still been twelve seconds, according to the FIM. The two also compete against each other in the EnduroGP World Championship; Cycle News described their duel in Portugal as a continuation of that season-long fight.
In the classes, García won Enduro1 by 50 seconds from Australia’s Angus Riordan (Honda) and Ahlin. Pichon won Enduro2 ahead of Verona and Davis. Freeman won Enduro3 by 43 seconds from France’s Julien Roussaly (Sherco) and takes over the lead in this class from him; Albin Norrbin (Sweden, Husqvarna) was third. Among the women, Brandy Richards (USA, KTM) took her fifth consecutive day win ahead of Danielle McDonald (Australia, Yamaha) and Lucy Barker (Great Britain, KTM).
Juniors: Italy lead, Spain defend third place
In the Junior World Trophy, where France lost Thibault Giraudon to a technical failure on day four and were out of contention, Italy lead the USA by two minutes and 50 seconds going into the last day. Australia won the daily classification ahead of the USA and Spain; Italy had to settle for fourth. Spain are third overall, five minutes and 30 seconds ahead of Australia.
“Today was about holding on to third place,” said Spain’s Yago Domínguez (KTM) (translated). “The sand wasn’t ideal for us, but we rode as well as we could.”
Women and clubs: US teams in front
The US team of Richards, Korie Steede (Husqvarna) and Rachel Gutish (Rieju) won day five of the MOTOREX Women’s World Trophy by more than a minute from Australia and now lead by over six minutes. According to the organiser, a win would give the team a record seven titles in this classification. France are third, 20 minutes ahead of New Zealand.
In the Club Team Award, Team Rabaconda lead by three minutes and eight seconds from Missouri Mudders. GTBN are third, more than six minutes behind, with Hough Legacy Racing fourth. That puts four US teams in the first four places. In the veteran club teams, Gottbros Team lead ahead of Team Motokrosova Skola CZ and Cone Valve Team-M.C. Sitge.
All classifications will be decided today in the Final Cross Test in Sines. For Italy, the aim is to hold on to their lead of just under three minutes over France; in the individual standings, Verona and García are separated by ten seconds.
Sources and photo credits
- 6DAYS FIM Enduro of Nations: “Victory for Spain on Day Five of FIM 6DAYS® Portugal as Italy protect World Trophy lead”, 16 October 2026
- FIM: “Shortened but dramatic day four for riders at FIM 6DAYS® Portugal”, 15 October 2026
- Cycle News: “2026 6Days FIM Enduro of Nations Results (Updated)”, 15 October 2026
- Photo 1: Andrea Verona (Italy, KTM, number 10) in a sand test at the 6DAYS Portugal 2026. Photographer/rights holder: Pole Position Communication. Original source: fim-6days.com, published on 16 October 2026. Date taken not stated.
- Photo 2: Alberto Elgari (Italy, number 14) in a sand test at the 6DAYS Portugal 2026. Photographer/rights holder: Pole Position Communication. Original source: fim-6days.com, published on 16 October 2026. Date taken not stated.