The penultimate round of the Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship in Italy saw Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia become the first world champion of 2025 by clinching the Enduro1 title.
After winning 11 consecutive days of racing in the Enduro1 class, a heroic effort from Josep secured him his sixth FIM Enduro World Championship. Pushing through the pain barrier on Sunday, he managed a multitude of injuries with a champion’s ride to successfully defend his Enduro1 crown for the second year in a row.
Down, but never tapping out, Josep’s ride on day two in Italy, which he described as the toughest day of his life, is testament to how much of a fighter he truly is…
Congratulations Josep, you are the 2025 FIM Enduro1 World Champion! What does it mean to you to defend your title?
Josep Garcia: “Thank you, very much. It is a dream come true to reach six world titles. I think if you told me as a kid that I could achieve these things then, for sure, I would have been surprised. But I’ve always believed in myself and worked hard to make this dream come true every year. For sure, it’s never easy to be at the top. But I always start the season from scratch, as if I’ve never been a world champion before, and I think that is what keeps me hungry for success.”
Of course, this title also makes you a six-time world champion! Has that achievement sunk in yet?
“Six times world champion! I won my first title in 2017, but I was then out of EnduroGP for a couple of years. So coming back and winning titles in 2021, 2023, 2024, and now 2025, is incredible. When I’m racing I don’t think about it so much, but when I get home and I am away from the races, then it feels so good.”
With 11 Enduro1 class wins in a row, it’s been an incredible season. Did all of those victories take you by surprise?
“From the outside, it looks like they came easy, but I wouldn’t say that. When you look at the results of my opponents in the Enduro1 class, they have been riding so fast all year, too. But I have just managed to be that little bit better across the full season. And for sure, always fighting for the EnduroGP overall helps. Yes, it was almost a perfect season, but one bad day shows how quickly things change and how competitive the class is.”
Despite winning the title on Sunday in Italy, you described it as the toughest day of your life. Can you talk us through everything that you had to deal with?
“On Saturday, on the last enduro test, I had a big crash and completely damaged my elbow, which needed 11 stitches, plus one more in my wrist. I had a lot of inflammation, along with a big impact on my leg. On Sunday morning, I felt sore, but not as bad as I had expected. So I started the day pushing. I had a small slip off on the first enduro test, then on lap two, I had a big impact on my right side. That destroyed me. I felt a lot of pain, so from that moment until the end, I couldn’t ride like I used to. I had no power or strength. Mentally it was difficult too. I knew what I needed to do, but it wasn’t possible with my condition.”
You seem to have made the Enduro1 class your own in recent years, what is it about you and your KTM 250 EXC-F that makes such a special bond?
“I just really like my KTM 250 four-stroke. It’s a bike I really understand and know how it works. This is why I feel so fast on it because I completely understand every single moment.”
Of course, it takes a team effort to win world championships, what can you say about everyone involved in Red Bull KTM Factory Racing?
“Achieving this big goal is not mine alone. I do have an amazing team behind me. KTM in Austria works hard to give me the best bike, the fastest bike and most comfortable bike to ride. I feel I have that right now. Also, very importantly is the family, friends and support that I have around me. My doctor is by my side if I have a problem, but I also contact him when things are good. My wife, my daughter, my family, my friends, my uncle Rafa who is my follow rider every race, Toff my trainer, my physio, there are many people behind me, all helping to make it all work.”
Finally, all that remains of the 2025 season is the Polisport GP of Germany. Can you complete the perfect season and take the EnduroGP title as well?
“Looking to Germany, my plan is to be back at 100 per cent, and we will do that. Luckily, I didn’t break any bones in those big impacts. But I must rest, recover, train where possible, and then give 100 per cent. Before the race day on Sunday in Italy, I had an incredible advantage of 34 points to Andrea Verona, but now that has changed. However, the most important thing is that I am still leading. Fifteen points is not the same, but it is almost one day of racing. The goal is to fight each race day and every test. If I ride like I know I can, have fun on the bike, then we can achieve our biggest goal of the season – EnduroGP World Champion!”
The 2025 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship is set to conclude with the Polisport GP of Germany in Zschopau, on 17-19 October.
2025 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship
Round 1: GP of Portugal – Fafe – 4-6 April
Round 2: GP of Spain – Oliana – 2-4 May
Round 3: GP of Sweden – Skövde – 23-25 May
Round 4: GP of Wales – Rhayader – 1-3 August
Round 5: GP of Portugal – Vila de Rei – 12-14 September
Round 6: GP of Italy – Darfo Boario Terme – 26-28 September
Round 7: GP of Germany – Zschopau – 17-19 October
2025 Expotrade FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship
Round 1: GP of Portugal – Fafe – 4-6 April
Round 2: GP of Wales – Rhayader – 1-3 August
Round 3: GP of Portugal – Vila de Rei – 12-14 September
Round 4: GP of Germany – Zschopau – 17-19 October
