The EnduroGP World Championship returned to Fafe, Portugal, just one week after the previous round, for a second consecutive event in the same venue. It was an especially emotional weekend for the Rieju Factory Racing Team, which ended Sunday with another world title in the Women’s category.
With this result, Rieju secures its third consecutive Women’s Enduro World Championship title. After Mireia Badia claimed the crown in 2024, Rachel Gutish won the championship in 2025 and has now successfully defended her title in 2026, confirming the team’s outstanding form and the competitiveness of its MR PRO machines at the highest level of international competition.
The action began on Friday with the Super Test, held on the same track as the previous weekend but run in the opposite direction. Rachel Gutish once again set the fastest time, making her intentions clear from the very start. Her teammate Rosie Rowett recorded the fifth-fastest time, while María San Miguel finished ninth.
Saturday’s race introduced two redesigned special tests while maintaining the demanding conditions experienced the week before, with high temperatures and heavily deteriorated terrain. The battle for the top positions was intense from the outset. Gutish attacked relentlessly and even led the race, proving especially quick in the Extreme Test and Enduro Test. However, the American rider ultimately had to settle for second place.
Rosie Rowett, meanwhile, did not enjoy her best day. Several crashes cost her valuable time, although she managed to improve her pace on the final lap and finished eighth. María San Miguel completed the day in seventh position.
On Sunday, Gutish entered the race with a mathematical chance of securing the title. The Rieju Factory Racing rider started strongly and was once again involved in a close battle with her main rivals. She led during the opening lap, although her closest competitor overtook her in the Cross Test on the second lap. Gutish continued pushing until the very end and, despite making up time, once again finished on the second step of the podium.
That result was enough for Rachel Gutish to reach a total of 141 points and be crowned the 2026 Expotrade FIM Women’s Enduro World Champion, with one round still remaining in Wales. The rider stepped onto the podium visibly emotional and delighted to secure another world title with Rieju.
Rosie Rowett also showed significant improvement compared to Saturday. Delivering a more consistent performance and avoiding mistakes, the British rider claimed third place on Sunday. This result allows her to move back into second place in the championship standings with 100 points and keeps alive her chances of finishing the season as runner-up once again, repeating last year’s achievement.
María San Miguel finished Sunday in tenth position and currently holds the same place in the provisional championship standings.
Jordi Galera Retains the Open2S Championship Lead
In the Open2S category, Jordi Galera once again completed a positive weekend for the Rieju Factory Racing Team. He finished third on Saturday and fourth on Sunday, results that allow him to maintain the championship lead with a total of 151 points.
In the Junior category, Liam Sanjuan finished Saturday in 9th place in J1 and 23rd overall in the Junior classification. On Sunday, he improved his performance, finishing 8th in J1 and 20th overall among the Juniors.
The next round of the EnduroGP World Championship will take place in France from July 17–19. This event will not count towards the Women’s category. The final round of the season will be held in Wales from August 7–9.
Rachel Gutish – Rieju Factory Racing
“I’m so excited! Here in Portugal I’ve just secured my second EnduroGP championship. Obviously, I’m absolutely thrilled, although it caught all of us a bit by surprise. We didn’t really realize that I could potentially wrap up the championship this weekend, so it felt a little strange. But of course, I’m incredibly happy to have achieved it.
I really enjoy racing here in Portugal. I had a pretty good race yesterday and another good one today. Last weekend I left with two wins, and this weekend I managed two second-place finishes, which turned out to be enough to get the job done.
I’m very proud of myself and very proud of the Rieju team for helping me and for working together as a team, which is something really special.”
Rosie Rowett – Rieju Factory Racing
“On Saturday, I spent more time on the ground than on the bike. I had a pretty good final lap, but I’m still far from where I should be. On Sunday, I managed to take P3 after a crazy day on the bike. I can’t say I felt comfortable, but I’m happy to be back in second place in the championship.”
