This weekend, the 2026 FIM EnduroGP World Championship reaches its halfway point with the first of back-to-back Portuguese GPs. The Fantic Factory Racing Enduro team will field Théo Espinasse and Thibault Giraudon, while Riccardo Pasquato continues his recovery.

One of the standout riders at the beginning of the Youth World Championship season, with two wins and a total of four podium finishes to his name, Riccardo Pasquato will remain sidelined for the upcoming Portuguese double-header following the injury he sustained before the Finnish GP. The fracture to his right radius is not yet stable enough to withstand the demands of a full race weekend. Together with the medical staff and the team, it was therefore decided to delay his return, giving the 19-year-old Italian all the time necessary to complete his recovery.

Antonio Specia, Fantic Factory Racing Enduro Team Manager:

“Riccardo has our full support. It is a pity not to have him with us in Portugal, but we are all on the same page when it comes to giving him all the time he needs to come back to his 100%, rather than rushing his return. Still, the work continues, and we are ready to tackle the Portuguese rounds with our factory riders Théo Espinasse and Thibault Giraudon. In the Youth class, we are confident we can be in the mix with Valentin Mersin, our Team Specia Academy rider aboard the Fantic XE 125. After claiming his maiden victory in Finland, he now sits fourth in the standings, just 12 points off the lead.”