Toni Bou wins in Leeds to increase 2026 X-Trial World Championship lead
LeedsThe Repsol Honda HRC rider secures his fifth victory of the year on the series’ return to the UK, while Gabriel Marcelli misses out on the podium for the first time this season.
The 2026 X-Trial World Championship officially returned after the winter break with the fifth round of the season, held in Leeds. The UK returned to the calendar after a ten-year absence and, on a highly demanding night, Toni Bou once again demonstrated his dominance, taking another victory that extends his lead in the overall standings. Gabriel Marcelli failed to reach the podium for the first time this season.
From the start, the sections presented a very high level of difficulty, with no room for error. Bou approached Qualifying 1 with calm and determination, managing each obstacle with precision to complete the first lap with 12 penalty points. This placed the Repsol Honda rider in second position, just behind Jaime Busto. He qualified directly for the final alongside his teammate, Marcelli, and Busto. In Superpole, which determined the starting order, the Montesa Cota 4RT rider was second fastest, securing a strategic position of starting second to last in the final.
In the final, Bou proved unstoppable. He corrected the minor errors made on his first run and stood out in a very demanding and close final. Ultimately, the Repsol Honda rider took the victory by a single point over Harry Hemingway. It was the reigning world champion’s fifth win of the season, adding 20 more points to his tally and widening the gap in the overall standings.
The night wasn’t as positive for Gabriel Marcelli, who for the first time in the campaign missed out on a podium finish. He qualified directly for the final after completing the first lap with 17 points.
However, in the final, a mistake on Zone 2 hampered the rest of his ride. Despite fighting until the very last section, the Montesa Cota 4RT rider couldn’t recover the lost ground and missed out on the rostrum. He maintains second place in the overall standings, as a show of his consistency at the start of the season.
Bou continues to lead the overall standings with 115 points, followed by Marcelli with 81. The next round will take place on February 8th in Barcelona, where Repsol Honda HRC will look to continue setting the pace for the season.
I’m very happy with the result, especially considering how it affects the championship. It was a very close race, particularly in the final, where I think I made a bad decision that affected my feeling. I know I’m not at 100% physically right now, and I took a risk on the first zone, which is ultimately what gave me the victory, so I’m happy with my position in the overall standings. This win is important, and the next challenge is Barcelona.
I’m very happy with the result, especially considering how it affects the championship. It was a very close race, particularly in the final, where I think I made a bad decision that affected my feeling. I know I’m not at 100% physically right now, and I took a risk on the first zone, which is ultimately what gave me the victory, so I’m happy with my position in the overall standings. This win is important, and the next challenge is Barcelona.
I’m not very happy with today’s race. I didn’t ride particularly well in the final, and my feeling wasn’t the best. On the positive side, I didn’t lose many points in the overall standings compared to Jaime. Now we have to analyse our mistakes, improve, and try to get back to the top in Barcelona.
I’m not very happy with today’s race. I didn’t ride particularly well in the final, and my feeling wasn’t the best. On the positive side, I didn’t lose many points in the overall standings compared to Jaime. Now we have to analyse our mistakes, improve, and try to get back to the top in Barcelona.
It’s been a very emotional night in Great Britain. I’m very happy with Toni’s victory; he handled the pressure well and showed great consistency in the final, which strengthens his lead in the championship. As for Gabri, it wasn’t his best race, and several mistakes in the final prevented him from fighting for the podium, but he continues to demonstrate great consistency this season. We leave Leeds satisfied with the job done, and the goal now is to keep working to arrive in Barcelona in top form.
It’s been a very emotional night in Great Britain. I’m very happy with Toni’s victory; he handled the pressure well and showed great consistency in the final, which strengthens his lead in the championship. As for Gabri, it wasn’t his best race, and several mistakes in the final prevented him from fighting for the podium, but he continues to demonstrate great consistency this season. We leave Leeds satisfied with the job done, and the goal now is to keep working to arrive in Barcelona in top form.
Q1 Results
Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jaime Busto | 69 | SPA | Gas Gas Factory Team | Gas Gas | 8 |
2 | Toni Bou | 1 | SPA | Repsol Honda HRC | Montesa | 12 |
3 | Gabriel Marcelli | 38 | SPA | Repsol Honda HRC | Montesa | 17 |
4 | Harry Hemingway | 77 | GBR | Beta Factory Racing | Beta | 19 |
5 | Matteo Grattarola | 88 | ITA | Beta Factory Racing | Beta | 23 |
6 | George Hemingway | 55 | GBR | Beta Factory Racing | Beta | 25 |
7 | Jack Peace | 76 | GBR | Sherco Factory Team | Sherco | 27 |
8 | Hugo Dufrese | 17 | FRA | Beta | Beta | 30 |
Q2 Results
Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Harry Hemingway | 77 | GBR | Beta Factory Racing | Beta | 0:40.7 |
2 | Hugo Dufrese | 17 | FRA | Beta | Beta | 1:17.4 |
3 | Jack Peace | 76 | GBR | Sherco Factory Team | Sherco | 1:40.8 |
4 | George Hemingway | 55 | GBR | Beta Factory Racing | Beta | 1:46.5 |
5 | Matteo Grattarola | 88 | ITA | Beta Factory Racing | Beta | 2:10.6 |
Final Results
Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Toni Bou | 1 | SPA | Repsol Honda HRC | Montesa | 10 |
2 | Harry Hemingway | 77 | GBR | Beta Factory Racing | Beta | 11 |
3 | Jaime Busto | 69 | SPA | Gas Gas Factory Team | Gas Gas | 17 |
4 | Gabriel Marcelli | 38 | SPA | Repsol Honda HRC | Montesa | 20 |
Championship Standings
Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Toni Bou | 1 | SPA | Repsol Honda HRC | Montesa | 115 |
2 | Gabriel Marcelli | 38 | SPA | Repsol Honda HRC | Montesa | 81 |
3 | Jaime Busto | 69 | SPA | Gas Gas Factory Team | Gas Gas | 74 |
4 | Harry Hemingway | 77 | GBR | Beta Factory Racing | Beta | 50 |
5 | Matteo Grattarola | 88 | ITA | Beta Factory Racing | Beta | 27 |
6 | Jack Peace | 76 | GBR | Sherco Factory Team | Sherco | 19 |
7 | Francesco Titli | 71 | ITA | TRRS Factory Team | TRRS | 14 |
8 | Benoit Bincaz | 73 | FRA | Electric Motion | Electric Motion | 11 |
9 | Hugo Dufrese | 17 | FRA | Beta | Beta | 10 |
10 | Arnau Farre | 19 | SPA | Sherco Factory Team | Sherco | 9 |
11 | George Hemingway | 55 | GBR | Beta Factory Racing | Beta | 4 |
