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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1540127
X-Trial Starts Fresh in Andorra T he 2025-26 FIM X-Trial Championship started in An- dorra on October 4 and contin- ued almost where the last sea- son left off, with Repsol Honda's Toni Bou taking first place. His teammate and fellow Montesa- mounted pilot Gabriel Marcelli finished second, making it a Rep - sol Honda Team 1-2. However, Bou's win was not easy. The victory wasn't confirmed until the final section. The World Champion entered that last zone just three points ahead of Marcelli. In this demanding final section, Marcelli scored a five, which meant Bou already had the victory in his pocket. The win, his fifth in Andorra la Vella, holds special significance for Bou, as the shoulder injury he has been carrying, which could eventually require surgery, has forced him to adopt a new riding strategy. The third place on the podium went to Jaime Busto (GasGas), who had to win on time in a tiebreak against Harry Heming - way (Beta), as both finished the six sections of the Final tied at 25 points. The Spaniard, Busto, completed the Final suffering from severe back and hand pain after a heavy crash in section three of Q1. Meanwhile, the 19-year-old British rider, Heming - way, missed out on the podium because he was slower in the tiebreaker in what was his third appearance at the World Cham - pionship. Hemingway was the fastest in Q2, where the young Italian Fran - cesco Titli (TRRS), Jack Peace (Sherco), Matteo Grattarola (Beta) and Benoit Bincaz (Elec- tric Motion) were eliminated, finishing in that order in the last four positions of this opening round of the 2026 season. "Starting the season with a win at home, in such a demand- ing event as today's, and doing it under the conditions I faced, is great news," Bou said. "The shoulder injury I've been carrying forced me to ride differently and look for new lines. The physical work done with my team over the last month and a half has paid off, and along with today's strategy, it has allowed me to take this victory." Busto was happy to get on the podium considering all. "I'd say it was one of the hardest of my career because of the crash in section three of Q1, where I hit my back and right hand very hard," Busto said. "I suffered a lot in the Final, and adrenaline probably helped me get through it. This podium is a great re - ward." CN FINAL 1. Toni Bou (Mon) 16 2. Gabriel Marcelli (Mon) 23 3. Jaime Busto (GG) 25 4. Harry Hemingway (Bet) 25 WIND IN THE P58 Toni Bou, Gabriel Marcelli and Jaime Busto made up the podium at the 2025-26 FIM X-Trial opener in Andorra.