Riccardo Pasquato put the Fantic XE 125 on the class podium, while factory-supported rider Matteo Pavoni confirmed his second place in the 450 class. Théo Espinasse also delivered an encouraging performance, finishing eighth and sixth in the Foreigners class and looking increasingly comfortable aboard the Fantic XE 300.
The weekend of 27–29 March brought the 2026 Italian Enduro Championship to Pomarance, in the province of Pisa, for the third and fourth rounds of the season. The event kicked off on Friday afternoon with the Super Test, held in front of a large crowd of fans.
The race course, approximately 60 km long, proved demanding and selective, offering a true enduro challenge. The three special tests, to be completed for three and a half laps on the first day and three laps on the second, were organised as follows: an Extreme Test of 1.5 km, very technical and spectacular with rocks, climbs and demanding descents; an Enduro Test of 5.3 km, fast and flowing through the forest; and finally a Cross Test of 5.3 km on a downhill meadow, made tricky by its hard and compact surface.
In the 125 class, Riccardo Pasquato wrapped up the weekend with a fourth and a second place. On the opening day, the Fantic Factory Racing Enduro rider narrowly missed third place by a few tenths of a second. He bounced back strongly on Sunday, delivering an impressive ride aboard the Fantic XE 125 and finishing close to the series leader.
Another strong performance came from Matteo Pavoni, factory-supported Team Specia rider aboard the Fantic XEF 450. He collected two more second-place finishes and is firmly second in the provisional standings of the 450 class.
There were further positives as the Fantic squad prepares for the EnduroGP World Championship. Théo Espinasse is becoming increasingly comfortable aboard the Fantic XE 300 with Minarelli engine. On Saturday, the French rider finished 12th overall and eighth in the Foreigners class. On Day 2, Espinasse impressed with a series of top-6 overall times in the special tests. He rounded off the weekend with a very strong final lap, setting the third-fastest overall time in the last Cross Test. His final result was 10th overall in an extremely close classification, just a handful of seconds away from seventh place. In the Foreigners class, he secured sixth place and, above all, showed that the potential is there.
Thibault Giraudon claimed two 12th-place finishes in the tough and competitive Foreigners class, continuing his preparation ahead of the EnduroGP World Championship opener in Custonaci, Sicily, on 10–12 April, where he will represent Fantic’s factory colours in the Junior class.
The Assoluti d’Italia will then continue on 17–19 April in Caltanissetta (CL), hosting the fifth and sixth rounds of the 2026 season.
Théo Espinasse:
“The feeling with my Fantic is getting better and better, and the good times we posted in some of the special tests prove that. The speed is there; we were just missing a bit of consistency to aim for something more in the overall standings, but we are definitely on the right path. Now the full focus is on the opening round of the EnduroGP World Championship!”
Riccardo Pasquato:
“On Saturday I was not able to perform at my best and I made a few too many mistakes, while Sunday went much better. I secured a good second place; it was just a shame about a small issue with a bale of straw that cost me some valuable seconds. Now I am looking forward to the opening round of the World Championship, which will take place in Italy.”
