Repsol Honda HRC secure third one-two finish of the season

Toni Bou takes his third victory on the first day of action in Italy, while Gabriel Marcelli finishes runner-up.

The fourth and fifth rounds of the 2026 X-Trial World Championship season take place in Ponte di Legno, Italy, this weekend, as the town debuts on the Grand Prix stage. Friday couldn’t have gone better for Repsol Honda HRC, who secured their third one-two finish of the season with a victory for Toni Bou and a second place for Gabriel Marcelli.

In Q1, Bou looked very confident in all five sections and, after picking up just 7 points, moved into first position, earning him a direct spot in the final alongside Jaime Busto and Harry Hemingway. In Super Pole, the 38-time champion once again made the difference, setting the fastest time with a 0:45.9, which allowed him to start last in the final.

In the deciding contest, Bou masterfully managed all the sections. With 12 penalty points, the Montesa Cota 4RT rider secured the 94th victory of his indoor career and his third of the season, thus consolidating his lead in the overall standings with 75 points.

Marcelli had a tricky first lap, hindered by the high level of the competition and the challenging sections. The Repsol Honda rider accumulated 13 penalty points, dropping him to seventh position and forcing him to go into the Last Chance round for the first time this season.

In Q2, where only the fastest rider advances, Marcelli showcased his competitive spirit. Despite making a mistake in the final section, the Montesa Cota 4RT man completed all three sections with a time of 1:38.7, enough to qualify for the final. This time was also used instead of him competing in Super Pole. In the final, Marcelli significantly improved his performance and, after an intense battle with Jaime Busto and Harry Hemingway, secured second place with 28 penalty points. As a result, he reclaimed second place in the overall standings.

The fifth round of the season takes place on Saturday, marking the halfway point of the campaign. The two Repsol Honda HRC riders will be aiming to head into the Christmas break leading the championship.