Toni Bou holds a perfect record thus far this season, while Gabriel Marcelli is second in the overall standings.
The X-Trial World Championship moves on to Saint-Denis (Reunion Island) for the third round of the 2026 season, held at the Petit Stade de l’Est. The series has been absent from the French island since 2019, when Toni Bou took the victory there. After the opening rounds in Andorra and Madrid, the Repsol Honda HRC rider leads the overall standings with 40 points and a perfect record, while Gabriel Marcelli remains second with 30 points, confirming the team’s excellent start to the season.
Bou is in exceptional form, with two consecutive victories that reaffirm his dominance in the indoor discipline. The last time he competed at the venue, he was the race winner, and this weekend he will be looking for his 94th X-Trial World Championship victory. The Montesa Cota 4RT rider continues to recover from a shoulder injury and is approaching things with a race-by-race mentality. In Madrid, he delivered an outstanding showing, with only three penalty points accrued between the first lap and the final.
Marcelli arrives at the French round in second place in the overall standings with 30 points, just ten behind the Bou and six ahead of Jaime Busto in third. On the World Championship’s last visit to Reunion Island in 2019, he finished sixth while competing for Montesa Talent, and this will be his first appearance at the Petit Stade de l’Est as an official Repsol Honda HRC rider. Marcelli will be looking to be in contention for the win and further consolidate his position in the championship.
Repsol Honda HRC arrive at Reunion Island with renewed confidence after dominating the first two rounds of the season. The race gets underway at 20:00 local time on Saturday.
Toni Bou
“We’re really looking forward to this race, which I won in 2019. In Madrid, I felt much better and was increasingly comfortable on the bike. I’m happy to be improving day after day. Six years ago, the round at Reunion Island was a very special race, with some very challenging sections and an incredibly passionate crowd, so I’m very happy to be back. The idea is to maintain a race-by-race mentality, enjoying ourselves and putting on a great show.”
Gabriel Marcelli
“The start of the season has been very positive. In Madrid, I felt very comfortable on the bike and was battling with Toni for the win until the very last section, so I’m very happy with how everything is going. I have good memories of the Reunion Island race from 2019; the result wasn’t the best, but there were very challenging sections that I think suit my current form well. I’m confident I can put in a good performance. The goal is to win; I’m getting closer and closer. It won’t be easy, but we’re ready.”
Takahisa Fujinami
“We’re heading to Reunion Island in great form, with Toni and Gabri leading the overall standings. That demonstrates the tremendous work the whole team is doing. Toni has performed at an impressive level in the first two races, and although he’s still recovering from injuries, he’s feeling better and better on the bike. Gabri is also in very positive form and is capable of fighting for the win. The aim for this weekend is to keep going like this.”
