2026 Tecate Enduro Results

| March 2, 2026

The 64th edition of the Los Ancianos MC Tecate Enduro took place over the February 28-March 1 weekend across the Baja backroads of Tecate, Mexico, where Max Gerston recorded his third consecutive victory.

Max Gerston at 2026 Tecate Enduro — **Max Gerston won the Tecate Enduro for the third consecutive time.**

Story and Photos by Mary Rinell / mjsmotophotos

Starting at Rancho Santa Veronica and looping through traditional Baja terrain, the race came in at just under 90 miles on one of the hottest days of the year.

Traditionally, the race takes place in December, but in 2024, it was moved to February to allow more rain to soak the dirt and keep the dust at a respectable (desert-level) minimum. The move paid off, resulting in greener scenery and tree-lined trails amid the tight, freshly cut single-track that the race is known for.

The course features three unique loops, all winding steadily through a relentless Mexican terrain. Riders worked hard to maintain pace while racing through a mix of granite rocks, unforgiving manzanitas and Baja desert sand. The technical aspect of this course was relentless, but racers pressed on, with the very last finisher crossing the checkers at just over nine grueling hours. Less than half of the racers who started the day would earn the coveted Tecate Enduro finisher pin.

Gerston, aboard his Beta RR 300, claimed the checkers at just over four hours.

“Loop one took it out of me,” Gerston said. “I was tired after that loop, and I am not sure if I just didn’t sleep well or what, but I was just feeling low physically. So, at the pit, I tried to regroup as much as I could for loop two, which worked for a bit, but then I started cramping bad, so that was a tough test for me and the body. I just had to keep smooth and keep pushing, trying not to lose time. At the second pit, I was sitting out with Ryan [Wells], falling asleep in the chair across from him, and I just thought, ‘Oh come on, you can’t let him see this!’

“We started loop three, and I came back alive. Ryan actually passed me towards the beginning of the loop, just on fire. I just stayed with him and waited for him to make a mistake, and when he did, I made the pass. By then, I upped my pace and was finally feeling good, so loop three was definitely my best test.”

Ryan Wells at 2026 Tecate Enduro — **Ryan Wells kept Gerston honest, finishing a close second.**

Overall, it was a close race for the top three Pro class finishers, with just 0.28 of a second separating second- and third-place times on loop one for AZ Dirt Bike Training racer Ryan Wells, riding his dad’s KTM 300 XC-W, and local legend KTM Red Bull Factory racer Ivan Ramirez on his “far-too-big-for-this-race” motorcycle (his words), a 450 XC-F, with overly sprung suspension.

Ultimately, Ryan increased his advantage each loop, finishing the race 6.31 minutes ahead of the Mexico native.

“It was fun to get back to racing,” Wells said. “My last Tecate was 2023, and I finished fourth, just missing the podium. Loop one, I was just trying to ride loose, just stay loose and maintain a good pace with Max. The local boy Sammy [Montalvan] passed me on loop two, but I was able to pass him back and chase Max down. I think Max had a big gap on loop one. I was a little rusty, but I felt like I got faster all day. I was quickly re-learning how to read terrain and how to maintain the faster speeds. Loop two was my favorite. I had so much fun; it was way flowy, which I love. Such a great course!”

Ivan Ramirez at 2026 Tecate Enduro — **Local legend Ivan Ramirez completed the Tecate podium.**

Rounding the podium was the local legend, Ramirez. “Last year, I missed the podium. I got lost on the first loop and lost quite a bit of time, so this year I walked it out from the start and felt better going into the race.

“I’m very happy to get a third-place finish. For Tecate Enduro, you have to push yourself and your limits. You get to ride a variety of terrain—rocks, sand, tight stuﬀ, hard enduro and then open—and it’s fun stuﬀ. Ultimately, I am just happy to finish on the podium. Today was a great day of racing.”CN