Trystan Hart delivered a dominant performance at the Squamish Hard Enduro in Squamish, British Columbia last weekend, winning the exhibition event and demonstrating exactly why Canada’s hard enduro race deserves some airtime.
The event, which ran on June 26–28 as part of the U.S. Hard Enduro Series exhibition schedule, is not part of the 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship calendar, but the quality of the racing, the sold-out field of 300 competitors, and the enthusiastic crowd of over 1,000 spectators made a powerful case for what Squamish could become. Notably, two registered HEWC riders were in the mix: Spain’s Sandra Gomez and South African Matthew Green, both of whom made the trip to British Columbia and gave the event some international flavour.
Two Days, Two Formats
The race ran across two days of contrasting formats. Friday’s endurocross-style circuit along the oceanfront tested technical ability in front of a rain-soaked crowd, with Hart winning the Pro final. Saturday’s mountain course ramped the challenge, four hours for Expert and Amateur classes across nearly 2,000 vertical feet of descent, followed by a two-hour Pro short course in the afternoon that drew spectators onto the hillsides.
HEWC Names on the Podium
Hart was imperious throughout. Known for his consistency, he led from the first major obstacle and crossed the line in two hours and 13 minutes to claim an emphatic victory. Ryder LeBlond finished second, with HEWC’s Green rounding out the podium in third, a result that will be noted back in the HEWC paddock come Forza Orza. Gomez won the Pro Women’s class, continuing a strong run of form that mirrors her performances on the world stage.
A Venue With World-Class Potential
With terrain as technical and challenging as anything on the world circuit, Squamish has announced itself as a venue with serious potential. The sell-out crowd, the mountain backdrop, and the calibre of riders it attracted this year suggest it is only a matter of time before the event makes a bigger mark on the international calendar.
HEWC Riders Head to Indonesia
While the Squamish dust was still settling, several HEWC regulars are already looking ahead to their next challenge. Championship leader Manuel Lettenbichler, along with Alfredo Gomez and Mario Roman ( fifth in the current standings on 48 points) are all heading to Indonesia this week for the Hiu Selatan International Hard Enduro, taking place July 3–5 at the in Cilacap, Central Java. It is a non-championship event, but a high-profile one, and a reminder of just how far hard enduro’s global reach now extends.
Brightmores in Training, Eyes on Sweden
The Brightmore brothers, and others around the world are in training, preparing for Romaniacs before turning their attention to the next FIM Hard Enduro World Championship round.
Next Up: Forza Orza, Sweden — Round 4
That round is Forza Orza in Sweden, set for August 20–22, and it is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated events of the season. Sweden’s first-ever HEWC round will pitch raw Scandinavian forest terrain against a field of riders who are deeply motivated: Lettenbichler leads on 88 points, but Mitch Brightmore’s Silver Kings victory has cut the gap to just 13 points, with Kabakchiev a further seven points back in third. Five rounds remain, and nothing is decided. Forza Orza could be where the championship truly opens up.
Tickets and information for Forza Orza are available at forzaorza.com. Full standings can be found at fim-hardenduro.com/standings.