A weekend of adrenaline and pure racing: the world’s Hard Enduro stars ignite Mount Abetone in front of thousands of fans.
Abetone (PT), 5-6-7/09/2025 – Between rocks, roots, and breathtaking sections, the Abestone Eicma Hard Enduro 2025 lit up the Tuscany Apennines with a challenge that tested the best riders on the planet. The fourth edition of the Tuscan round featured riders from 20 nations, delivering a truly international spectacle. The Italian round of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship offered unique thrills, also thanks to fantastic weather, with sunshine and mild temperatures throughout all three days, confirming Abetone as one of the most spectacular and demanding natural arenas on the international calendar.
Abestone Hard Enduro, created and founded by Michele Bosi, has grown into one of the most spectacular rounds of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, supported by his team, which includes his family and many young people from Abetone and across Tuscany.
After two days of extreme racing, victory went to Billy Bolt, who dominated a course that demanded skill, endurance, and bravery. Sharing the podium were 2nd place Manuel Lettembichler Ktm Factory Team and 3rd place Mitch Brightmore Gas Gas X-Grip, in a thrilling battle that kept the crowd on edge. Among the Italians, Sonny Goggia and Mirko Pedretti stood out with a passionate performance that ignited the fans.
One of the most iconic and feared sections of the course was the X‑Loop, located in the heart of Mount Abetone. This final stretch of the race, famous for its extreme technical difficulty, proved decisive for the Gold Class final ranking. Only the top riders, such as Billy Bolt and Manuel Lettenbichler, managed to complete it, turning the X‑Loop into a direct showdown.
The new race format proved irresistible for spectators: within just a few hundred meters, they were presented with a true amphitheater of action, where adrenaline, skill, and daring were concentrated in a compact and highly visible area. Beyond the iconic X‑Loop, Ram Line 2 delivered thrilling moments, alongside the new sections Cascata and Inferno, which quickly won over the audience. The legendary Minestrone did not disappoint, culminating in the breathtaking The Bridge, the ultimate highlight of the course.
The strong participation in the Silver and Bronze categories is also worth highlighting, with a slightly less demanding course that was still full of challenges. These non-professional riders exemplify the beauty of Hard Enduro, a sport that brings together professional skill and amateur passion.
Silver Category
The Silver category delivered great excitement, with Connor Atkinson (Sherco) taking the win, completing 7 laps in 1:30:03. Behind him, Sandra Sandra (Beta, SPAIN) finished second with 7 laps in 1:38:13, while Fernando Soler Garcia (Tm, SPAIN) secured the podium’s third step with 6 laps in 1:31:03. Tommaso Laghi (Beta, ITALY) and Pinol Mesa Pol (Sherco, SPAIN) rounded out fourth and fifth, both completing 6 laps.
Bronze Category
In the Bronze category, victory went to Gabriele Iacchetti (Gas Gas, ITALY) with a solid performance of 8 laps in 1:33:31. Daryoosh Ghorbani (Husqvarna, IRAN) took second with 8 laps in 1:33:56, followed by Franco Schiavi (KTM, ITALY) in third with 8 laps in 1:39:33. Fourth and fifth went to Nikon Romanini (Husqvarna) and Nicola Bozzetti (KTM), both completing 7 laps, showcasing the competitiveness of the category.
It is also worth highlighting the participation of three women in the race. The legendary Sandra Gomez dominated the Woman 1 category ahead of Eva Tauber, while in Woman 2, Italian Cristiani Alessandra completed a memorable experience, showcasing the skill and passion of female riders in Hard Enduro.
The Abestone was marked by a true major-event atmosphere: thousands of spectators flocked to the Tuscan resort to witness the magic of Hard Enduro up close, turning the mountains into a unique stage where sport and nature blend together.
“Abestone is an event that surprises me more and more every year,” said Michele Bosi. “We had access to spectacular courses, made possible thanks to the Municipality of Abetone-Cutigliano, with a special thanks to Mayor Bacci, to Val di Luce thanks to Andrea Formento, to our friends at the Self Service Pizzeria, to the Calviani Ski Rescue team, and to all the volunteers who supported us—some for just one day, others for weeks. Exceptional courses, a warm and enthusiastic audience, and a top-level organization made the 2025 edition a true success.”
What started as an ambitious project has now become a cornerstone of the Hard Enduro World Championship. The partnership with EICMA and the support of local institutions have fueled the event’s growth, making it a unique opportunity to promote the sport, the region, and mountain tourism.
The Abestone Eicma Hard Enduro 2025 closes with record-breaking numbers and the promise of new challenges. See you in 2026, when the Tuscan Apennines will once again host the giants of the Hard Enduro World Championship.
GOLD :
1° place: Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) — 12 giri, 2:18:23
2° place: Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) — 12 giri, 2:18:27
3° place: Mitch Brightmore (GASGAS) — 8 giri, 2:14:29
4° place: James Moore (KTM) — 7 giri, 2:01:40
5° place: Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) — 7 giri, 2:06:45
SILVER :
1° place: Connor Atkinson (Sherco) — 7 giri, 1:30:03
2° place: Sandra Sandra (Beta) — 7 giri, 1:38:13 – SPAIN
3° place: Fernando Soler Garcia (Tm) — 6 giri, 1:31:03 – SPAIN
4° place: Tommaso Laghi (Beta) — 6 giri, 1:31:45 – ITALY
5° place: Pinol Mesa Pol (Sherco) — 6 giri, 1:33:53 – SPAIN
BRONZE :
1° place: Gabriele Iacchetti (Gas Gas) — 8 giri, 1:33:31 – ITALY
2° place: Daryoosh Ghorbani (Husqvarna) — 8 giri, 1:33:56 – IRAN
3° place: Franco Schiavi (Ktm) — 8 giri, 1:39:33 – ITALY
4° place: Nikon Romanini (Husqvarna) — 7 giri, 1:30:06
5° place: Nicola Bozzetti (Ktm) — 7 giri, 1:38:19
