The team, along with Miquel Gelabert, face a first event of the 2026 season at a legendary venue.
Honda Montesa will take on a new challenge on Sunday, February 8th, with the debut of their RTL Electric bike at the Barcelona X-Trial. It will be the first time the Japanese manufacturer’s electric machine has participated in an indoor competition, and it will be ridden by Miquel Gelabert. This will be the team’s first challenge of 2026, at one of the most iconic venues on the calendar.
Miquel Gelabert will be competing in his home event. The Honda rider has participated in the Barcelona X-Trial five times, with a fifth-place finish his best result. The Barcelona native made his debut at the Palau Sant Jordi in 2018 next to the new RTL Electric, which features structural changes that make it an innovative and improved model compared to the 2025 version.
After finishing as runner-up in Trial2 in 2025, Honda Montesa debut in the X-Trial World Championship this year. The new RTL Electric, which the Japanese manufacturer has worked intensively on over the winter, incorporates various improvements based on the experience gained in Trial2. This makes it an evolved machine compared to the one that competed in 2025, with a redesigned chassis and a more competitive package.
The action at the Palau Sant Jordi will begin at 5pm (local time) and will bring together the world’s best riders at the beginning of a new era for Honda Montesa and the RTL Electric.
Miquel Gelabert 56
“Competing for the first time with the RTL Electric at the Barcelona X-Trial round is very special for me, especially because it’s a home event. I’m coming into it with a good feeling after the work we've done over the winter, and I think the bike has taken a significant step forward. We know the level in X-Trial is very high and that it will be a big challenge, but the goal is to be competitive from the very first zone. I’m approaching this event eager to demonstrate the potential of the project with Honda Montesa.”
Carles Barneda
"Making our debut in an indoor race, and doing so in Barcelona, is an honour and a great challenge for RTL Electric. We are very excited about this event and want to show the potential of the work we have done over the last few months. We have every confidence in the team and in Miquel to put on a good show on Sunday. This project would not be possible without the support and commitment of Honda, which are essential for continuing to promote its development and consolidate it at the highest level."
Location Information
Palau Sant Jordi, Passeig Olímpic, Barcelona, Spain - View in Google Maps
