MBABANE – Local rider Damon Garrell has made a strong start to the 2026 International Motorcycle Federation (FIM) Hard Enduro World Championship.
The impressive youngster secured victory in Round One of the Youth Cup at the 24MX Alestrem in France.
Enduro is simply an off-road motorcycling discipline that prioritises physical stamina, machine reliability and technical skill over raw speed. Unlike motocross, which takes place on closed circuits, enduro challenges riders to navigate vast, natural landscapes such as forests and mountains.
The 17-year-old, raised in Eswatini, claimed first place in the Youth Cup category after dominating all three days of the event. Competing for the Trademore Sherco Racing team on a Sherco 125, Garrell finished first in his class across the Friday sprints, Saturday Minerva Prologue and Sunday’s main race.
His consistent performances saw him place 41st overall on day one, improving to 39th overall on the next two days out of a highly- competitive field of 450 riders.
This result puts Garrell at the top of the FIM Youth Cup rankings after the first of nine championship rounds.
The Trademore Sherco Racing team fielded four riders from South Africa for the prestigious FIM Hard Enduro World Championship. While Garrell competed in the Youth Cup (riders Under 20 on machines up to 150cc), his teammates Luke Walker, Dylan Jones and Branden Swanepoel raced in the Junior category (under 23).
The 24MX Alestrem brought together the world’s top Hard Enduro riders alongside hundreds of European and local competitors, making Garrell’s class victory and overall top-40 finishes a significant achievement.
His proud father Philippa Garrell lauded the daring youngster.
“Congratulations to Damon Garrell and the entire Trademore Sherco Racing team on this impressive international result,” he said.
Round Two will be in Portugal in less than two weeks time. A rider’s final ranking for the season is determined by their best six results across the championship calendar.
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