Aspang Race 2026: World Championship stars Josep Garcia and Andrea Verona are coming

The legendary Aspang Race is set to take place again this year from 11 to 13 September. This spectacular enduro event, held at the kaolin quarry in Aspang just outside Vienna, has attracted a field of around 700 riders in recent years and is regarded as the second-largest event in Austria after the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo.

Excitement is building, as the top category, the ÖM-Open, boasts a particularly strong line-up this year: Josep Garcia and Andrea Verona – both from the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team – have confirmed their participation as guest riders. Garcia was due to line up alongside Verona last year, but had to pull out due to a hand injury. Verona has won the event for the past two years, whilst Garcia recently clinched the EnduroGP title ahead of schedule in Wales – Verona secured the title in the Enduro2 class.

The high-profile guest riders will be in the spotlight: as well as enjoying the spectacular action on the track, fans in Aspang will have the chance to meet Garcia and Verona, as well as other top riders, at an autograph session. There is even talk of further World Championship stars taking part at the moment; there may be updates on this in the coming days. In the days leading up to the event, Garcia and Verona will be carrying out tests with their new bikes – for example, at the Wagenranch in Birkfeld.

In Aspang, the two KTM World Championship aces will face a challenge from the Austrian elite, led by GASGAS rider and KTM test rider Michael Walkner.

Walkner is in strong form – he most recently finished 6th at the Red Bull Romaniacs hard enduro classic. In fact, the son of Rupi Walkner should have finished 3rd. However, the Salzburg native crashed shortly before the finish, incurred a two-hour time penalty and thus missed out on the coveted podium. In Aspang, Walkner is set to take on the World Championship stars in front of his home crowd.

In the Austrian Championship Open class, Walzer-KTM ace Maurice Egger and teenage hopeful Valentino Hutter (X-Grip GASGAS) – both from Styria – are battling it out for the title. In addition, world ranking points will be on offer in Aspang for the Hard Enduro World Ranking, which was newly introduced this season. Another highlight of the event in Aspang is the riders’ party on Saturday evening following the prize-giving ceremony in the large marquee. With the support of KTM, a brand-new 250 EXC-F Enduro in a special Aspang race design will be raffled off.

As part of the supporting programme for the Aspang event, the ‘Aspang Junior Race’ will take place under the patronage of partner ‘Makita’ – featuring riding training, technical training and a first-aid course on Saturday. In addition, the races in the 50, 65 and 85 cc classes will take place on Sunday, just before the main race on the main stage.