CFMOTO MT Challenge 2026
CFMOTO’s MT Challenge heads from Australia to Spain for its second global final, with riders from nearly 20 countries and regions converging on Huelva over September 26–28. All finalists will compete aboard the 1000MT-X, tackling technical tests, navigation and teamwork.
A steep ramp puts balance and controlled braking to the test.
The inaugural final brought more than 70 riders to Melbourne in 2025. This year’s qualifiers have again taken a variety of forms, including 45 obstacles in the Philippines and even a rowing challenge in El Salvador.
The riding gear stays on, but the transport takes a rather different turn.
Romania offered four stages, Poland attracted nearly 30 entrants, and Guatemala used successive elimination rounds to choose its representatives.
Numbered bibs, dusty trails and a queue of riders waiting for their turn.
The qualifiers have called for a broad range of skills: steep ramps, picking up an object while balancing a motorcycle, log obstacles and even getting a bike moving with a group effort. A fast rider still needs a steady hand.
There is more to these challenges than opening the throttle.
Ten tests, then a 200 km adventure
Competition opens with the Venue Challenge at Monteblanco Circuit’s off-road facility, where 10 tests will assess control, technique and speed.
Qualifier action: a rider clears a log obstacle with both wheels in the air.
The second competition day brings the Adventure Challenge: approximately 200 km through southern Spain, with checkpoints, navigation and the clock adding to the demands.
Qualifier action on a dirt course with changing gradients.
Team and individual awards are on offer, and the event is pitched as bringing adventure riders together through friendly competition.
Some challenges call for a helping hand. Several, in this case.
What our 1000MT-X test revealed
We have already put the 1000MT-X through a varied Australian workout. Wayne’s launch ride covered slippery clay, rocky hills and creek crossings around Lerderderg National Park and Wombat State Forest.
The 1000MT-X will be the common mount for competitors in the Spanish final.
He adjusted front and rear preload for day two but left compression and rebound untouched, finding the KYB suspension well judged. The engine also impressed with useful, smooth drive from around 3000 rpm.
Wayne also found traction control too abrupt off-road, preferred the softer Off-Road throttle response to All-Terrain, and was still getting caught out by the switchgear after two long riding days.