Enjoyment is the secret to success for Josep Garcia at the 6DAYS

Regarded by many as the fastest man in enduro, Spain’s Josep Garcia (KTM) is eyeing up a record-breaking sixth consecutive victory at this year’s 6DAYS FIM Enduro of Nations in Portugal.

The Spaniard has set the world alight in recent years, consistently proving himself as the rider to beat every time he takes to the track. Since 2021, he has ended the 6DAYS on the top step of the podium as the outright individual winner.

Now, with the world’s best riders set to arrive in Grândola for what will be the hundredth edition of the 6DAYS®, the obvious question many are asking is whether Garcia can make it six wins.

“What I have now is a dream come true,” answers Garcia, diplomatically. “To win even one is a dream, so imagine six in a row. But in every race I do and every time I jump on my bike, it’s always to have fun. I don’t think about records so much, I’m here to enjoy and to fight for the win like always.”

The 6DAYS FIM Enduro of Nations has always been first and foremost a team event. It is what makes it unique in enduro. Fellow countrymen and women coming together each year, trying their best to put their nation on top. With a World Trophy win still eluding Spain, it is the trophy he would love most to win.

“I have achieved so much in the 6DAYS, but the dream of winning the World Trophy with Spain is the one thing missing,” he admits. “But I know it is also out of my control. We are a team of four. Four riders, four machines, all giving one-hundred per cent. For sure I can only give my best to help the team.”

Entering this year’s race, Garcia knows he starts as the rider to beat, but he believes the level of competition is fiercely competitive too. He is taking nothing for granted in Portugal.

“The pace for the overall win is insane now. The level is like EnduroGP and you need to give one-hundred per cent in each test. You can’t really control or manage the race.

“Honestly, the race starts from the very first test; everything counts. Every second matters. That’s what makes it special because you only have these six days to perform. It’s not like a world championship where you have time over a season to recover; here you need to be perfect during each day of the race.”

Whether he wins or not in Portugal, one thing for certain is that he will enjoy himself. As a rider who embraces national spirit, he is excited for what is in store at the 6DAYS.

“I think I’ve done maybe eleven or twelve 6DAYS now, but each one always feels so special. It’s so nice to see all the countries coming together. The atmosphere is different from any other championship I race in. The intensity is high and you can feel that.

“So even though there is a lot of work to be done, especially when you are fighting for the win, it’s a race I want to be a part of. For that reason, I hope I still have a lot more 6DAYS ahead of me in the future.”