Solid results for Burts Crayston at Hixpania Hard Enduro 2025

Every autumn, the rugged limestone slopes and narrow mountain ridges of northern Spain set the stage for one of hard enduro’s most anticipated showdowns: the Hixpania Hard Enduro. Hosted in and around the medieval town of Aguilar de Campoo in the foothills of the Montaña Palentina, this race has become one of the best fixtures on the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship calendar.

Launched in 2016 from the ambitions of motocross enthusiasts wanting to push Spanish terrain into the global hard enduro limelight, Hixpania has grown from a regional challenge to an international battleground.

Over successive years, Hixpania has earned its reputation for punishing climbs, technical rock gardens, and unpredictable weather that can shift the advantage in an instant.

This year’s event drew intense attention as top riders Mani Lettenbichler, Billy Bolt, Mario Román, and more locked horns over every twist and climb. There was high drama over the final “X-Loop,” where confusion and protest over the course’s layout led to a reshuffled result and a slightly controversial win.

Aside all that, Triple D rider Burts Crayston was also in the pack and looking for a strong result before the next race takes him to Turkey in October.

Ahead of the Hixpania showdown the trip got off to a leisurely start with a trail ride with comrades from Spain. Thanks must go to Javi from Zona Paddock who took us into the lush hills to enjoy the riding, incredible views and the local cuisine.

The lads enjoyed a cool down dip in a beautiful lake to find some respite from the 30º heat before Burts later took to the kitchen to cook up a feast.

With qualifying underway, Burts got into the zone with some decent times. Describing the day as 'not bad, not great', he achieved P15 overall which gave him a start on the 2nd row for the main day and The Lost Road race.

The "Lost Road" (a.k.a. El Camino Perdido) is the signature main race format at Hixpania Hard Enduro and the crown jewel of the weekend.

The race is a multi-lap hard enduro course over the toughest sections of terrain laid out in the hills, forests, quarries and rocky ridges. Riders face natural obstacles, technical climbs, drops, slick rock gardens and unpredictable ground.

The name of the race itself is enough to set the scene suggesting a brutal, labyrinth of a course that tests navigation, fitness, nerve and bike control. The challenge isn't just about speed; it’s surviving the terrain, managing fatigue, and reading the course under pressure.

Burts nailed some solid results hitting 5th in the junior category and finding himself the top non-pro Brit race in 16th place overall.

It was a week with no disasters and some careful racing. The only disappointment was that it was over all too soon! Burts was gutted there wasn't a longer race as its an event he likes and felt he was pushing on well at the end with good levels of fitness and conditions to suit.

Next up for Burts is Sea to Sky taking place in Turkey over 4 days in mid-October. The results from this won't count in the junior category, but none-the-less, the results will be important.

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