British rider Todd Kellett (Drag’on Yamaha) won the Moto race at the famous 50th Enduropale du Touquet Pas-de-Calais in northern France, and with that victory he also secured the 2025–2026 FIM Sand Races World Championship title.
This was a huge achievement because the Moto class was upgraded to full FIM World Championship status for the first time. Kellett, who had already won the World Cup versions in 2023 and 2024, delivered an almost perfect season. His only major setback came in Portugal last November due to a technical problem.
Kellett entered the final race with a 14-point lead over his French teammate Milko Potisek. Despite cold weather and tough conditions, he dominated the three-hour race from the beginning and won with a massive margin.
Kellett said he felt a lot of pressure but trusted himself, his bike, and his team. He also called the win emotional and said the team’s strategy and preparation helped him succeed.
This victory was also Kellett’s fourth straight win at Enduropale du Touquet, putting him ahead of famous riders who previously won three in a row. Only one rider in history has a longer streak.
In the Moto Women class, defending champion Amandine Verstappen (Belgium) started strongly and looked on track to win the title again. But she suffered a technical failure and retired, allowing French rider Mathilde Denis (2023 champion) to regain the championship as long as she finished the race.
Denis struggled in the freezing rain but completed the race and became a two-time Moto Women champion.
Meanwhile, Uruguay’s Fernando Rubio (Honda), who had already secured the Moto Veteran title earlier, finished third in his class behind two French riders.