The 2026 Enduro World Championships take place this weekend: favourites, schedule and where to watch

Finale Ligure, one of the most emblematic venues of international enduro, hosts this weekend of October 17 and 18 the UCI World Championship of Enduro and E-Enduro 2026. More than 300 participants from 32 countries will compete for six rainbow jerseys on routes that combine some of the most well-known trails in the Italian region with new specials. Among the main protagonists will be Richie Rude, Ella Conolly, and Adrien Dailly.

Everything ready for the UCI World Championship of Enduro and E-Enduro 2026

The Enduro World Championship returns to Italy for its third edition, after debuting in Val di Fassa in 2024 and visiting the Swiss region of Aletsch Arena-Bellwald in 2025. This time, the venue will be Finale Ligure, a town closely linked to the evolution of this discipline and which has hosted some of its most important competitions for years.

The organization has confirmed 305 participants, divided between 249 registered in Enduro and 56 in E-Enduro, who will compete for the six world titles. The races will take place on Saturday, reserved for e-MTB, and on Sunday, when it will be the turn of conventional enduro bikes.

RECOMENDADO

The UCI cancels the Enduro World Cup and the future of the discipline is up in the air

Carapaz prepares to leave EF and is tipped to join Andrés Iniesta’s NSN in 2027

The world’s most elegant cycling computer is back: it’s analogue, has GPS, is expensive and will be hard to get your hands on

Shimano XTR PD-M9200 pedals review: the changes you can’t see are the ones that matter most

Why change something that works? The Tour could say goodbye to Montmartre in 2027

Milan Fretin wins in Guangxi after an ill-fated sprint by Magnier, as Biesterbos takes the lead

The Enduro route will have approximately 60 kilometers, with 2,850 meters of negative elevation and 1,850 meters of pedaled ascent, including the links. For the e-MTB, 48 kilometers, 2,500 meters of negative elevation, and 1,500 meters of ascent are planned.

The terrain will play a special role. Finale Ligure is known for its rocky trails, roots, and technical turns, but also for its fast and prolonged descents.

Among the most notable specials is Mega Roller, with more than 6.5 kilometers and 900 meters of negative elevation. It will be one of the longest tests and will require maintaining concentration during a descent that combines fast areas with numerous natural obstacles.

On the opposite end will be Little Dog, a new special of 1.7 kilometers and about 330 meters of negative elevation. Its shorter length will force participants to take risks to gain seconds, with very little margin to recover lost time due to a mistake.

Another important point will be Blitz. This special includes a climb of 67 meters of positive elevation within a route of approximately 500 meters of descent. The ability to regain pace after an intense effort could be decisive.

The route will end with DH Men, one of the most well-known trails in Finale Ligure. Its 2.35 kilometers and numerous possibilities to choose different lines promise a demanding finish.

For its part, the E-Enduro circuit will have its own characteristics. The timed climbs and technical sections will require proper management of electric assistance and battery. Specials like E-Voland and Toboga Power combine ascending and descending sections, changes of pace, and areas where traction will be essential.

The favorites for the Enduro World Championship 2026

The men's competition will have one of its main attractions in the return of Richie Rude. The American, world champion in 2025, has focused his season on downhill, but will return to enduro with the aim of defending his rainbow jersey.

His experience in Finale Ligure works in his favor. Rude already won a race there in the Enduro World Series in 2018 and a World Cup Enduro race in 2024.

Among his main rivals will be the French Alex Rudeau, world champion in 2024, and the Canadian Lief Rodgers, one of the revelations of the season and second in the overall standings of the World Cup 2026.

Also to watch will be Australian Ryan Gilchrist and French Raphaël Giambi, winner of the World Cup held in La Thuile.

Two important absences will mark the race. Adrien Dailly, winner of the overall World Cup 2026, will not compete in Enduro, as he has decided to focus on the E-Enduro World Championship on Saturday. The Polish Sławomir Łukasik, world runner-up in 2025, will also miss the event due to injury.

In the women's category, Ella Conolly will start as one of the main favorites. The British rider has dominated the Enduro World Cup for the second consecutive year, achieving three victories and five podiums in the six events of 2026.

However, she still has to conquer the world title. In 2025 she finished second, just four seconds behind Canadian Elly Hoskin.

Among her rivals will be Mélanie Pugin, who has proven to be one of the most competitive riders of the season, and Morgane Charre, winner of the last World Cup event. The French Isabeau Courdurier, world champion of 2024, also appears among the candidates.

Adrien Dailly and George Swift will defend their E-Enduro titles

On Saturday, the two world titles reserved for electric bikes will be decided. In the men's category, Adrien Dailly will seek to close a practically perfect season. The Frenchman arrives as the world champion of E-Enduro and winner of the overall classification of the conventional Enduro World Cup.

His main opposition could come from Kevin Miquel, world champion of E-Enduro in 2024, Portuguese José Borges, and Belgian Martin Maes, who will also participate in the fight for the title.

Among the women, New Zealander George Swift will defend the rainbow jersey obtained in 2025. She will face, among others, Estelle Charles, champion of the first edition of the World Championship, Chilean Florencia Espiñeira, and British Tracy Moseley.

The presence of Moseley adds a special appeal, as the veteran rider was world downhill champion in 2010 and has an extensive career in gravity disciplines.

Dates and times of the Enduro World Championship 2026

The competitions will take place on Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18. The times published by the organization correspond to local Italian time, which coincides with that of mainland Spain.

Friday, October 16

• 08:00-17:30. Official training.
• 19:00. Opening ceremony and team parade.

Saturday, October 17

• 08:00-15:00. Men's and women's E-Enduro World Championship.
• 09:30-17:30. E-Enduro Open competition.
• 17:00. Awards ceremony.

Sunday, October 18

• 08:00-18:00. Men's and women's Enduro World Championship, elite and junior.
• 08:00-16:30. Enduro Open competition.
• 18:30. Awards ceremony.

Where to watch the Enduro World Championship 2026: will there be streaming?

The Enduro World Championship 2026 will not have a live broadcast on television or streaming.

The organization has confirmed different options to follow the championship, although none will allow watching the complete races in real time.

The main alternative will be live timing, which will allow checking the times of the participants as they complete the specials. This service will be available through the official championship website. Additionally, the UCI will publish videos with the best moments on its official YouTube channel.

Race summaries will be published during the afternoon-evening of each day: Saturday, October 17, for E-Enduro and Sunday, October 18, for Enduro.