The FIM just changed the rules of the EnduroGP World Championships to allow electric motorcycles to compete alongside ICE bikes. Stark was the first to throw its hat in the ring.
To be involved in the off-road racing scene right now is to witness Stark stamp its name into the history books over and over again.
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There was controversy when a last-minute rule change effectively targeted the OEM and ensured they couldn’t race in the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, before another rule change saw the company enter and take the manufacturers’ title the very next year. Now, Stark has become the first electric motorcycle company to put together a team for the FIM EnduroGP World Championship.
Until now, the FIM has not allowed electric motorcycles to compete in the EnduroGP World Championship, but as of 2026, they can race alongside their ICE counterparts in Enduro1/2/3 classes. Stark was the first to put its hand up and only thus far. The Spanish manufacturer recently announced the launch of its OxMoto EnduroGP Team, a dedicated racing program set to race the Stark VARG EX in the 2026 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship, with entries in both the E2 and E3 classes.
In terms of recognized championships and ones that’ll lend more credibility to the brand, the EnduroGP is a major step forward. Although SuperEnduro has brought a lot of eyeballs to the company, the EnduroGP carries more prestige and is more established. The rounds are much longer and consist of everything from slow, technical obstacles to faster, almost motocross-style sections. The machines take a beating. If the VARG EX can survive this, it’ll be fantastic for Stark’s credibility.
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Speaking about the move for Stark, Sébastien Tortelli, Stark Racing Director, said, “Entering EnduroGP is a natural next step for Stark. The Stark VARG has already shown it can compete head-to-head with the best combustion motorcycles in top-level off-road racing. EnduroGP now gives us the chance to take that challenge into one of the toughest championships in the world. With Cyril leading both David and Marc, we believe this team has the experience and talent to be competitive from the beginning.”
The Stark OxMoto EnduroGP Team, owned by Antoine Rigaudeau, will be led by Cyril Raynaud, with Sébastien Tortelli overseeing the programme as Racing Director for Stark Future. The rider line-up will feature French rider David Herbreteau in E2 and Spaniard Marc Sans in E3. Both riders are world-class in their own rights, although it’ll be David Herbreteau’s first time competing in the EnduroGP World Championship, and the highest Marc Sans finished in the championship was fourth in the E2 class.
The team will have its work cut out, especially considering the somewhat unknowns facing electric motorcycles. Let us know how you think they’ll do—are we looking at podiums, wins, or more manufacturers’ titles?
