X-Knights 2026 Costa Rica Delivers World-Class Motorsport — Driven by Women Behind the Scenes

On February 28, the Estadio Nacional became the epicenter of international motocross as X-Knights 2026 brought world-class competition to Costa Rica.

The event marked the second round of the FIM Freestyle Motocross World Cup, sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). For the first time, Costa Rica hosted an official stop of the global championship calendar while also incorporating the Supercross Panamericano, delivering elite competition supported by a large-scale production effort led by a highly coordinated organizing team.

Freestyle Motocross: World-Level Execution

Freestyle Motocross (FMX) is judged on technical difficulty, execution, amplitude, flow and innovation. It demands precision, creativity and control. The podium reflected the high caliber of the competition.

🥇 José “Mincha” Canosa secured victory with a routine that combined precision and complexity, taking the lead in the World Cup standings. His decisive double backflip became one of the defining moments of the night, reflecting both technical mastery and the stadium’s electric atmosphere.

🥈 Maikel Melero delivered another commanding performance in Costa Rica, reinforcing his consistency at the highest level.

🥉 Dani “ El Pajarito” Torres, long embraced by Costa Rican fans, once again connected deeply with the local crowd in a podium-worthy performance.

X-Knights 2026 podium (from left to right): Dani “Pajarillo” Torres, José “Mincha” Canosa and Maikel Melero. Photo credit: @_summer_film

French rider David Rinaldo introduced ambitious combinations that kept him in contention until a landing error on his final jump shifted the standings.

Italian rider Davide Rossi and Chile’s Marco “Chino” González added international depth and technical creativity to the lineup, reinforcing the global reach of the event.

The performance underscored what X-Knights represents: world-class competition delivered at the highest standard.

Supercross Panamericano: Continental Competition

Alongside the World Cup round, the Supercross Panamericano brought together riders from across the Americas in the SX1 (450cc) and SX2 (250cc) categories.

Unlike freestyle, Supercross is decided by speed, racecraft and strategic control over rhythm sections and jumps.

In SX1, Dean Wilson claimed first place, followed by Costa Rican rider Fabricio Chacón and Ecuador’s Andrés Benenaula — a podium that energized the home crowd.

In SX2, the podium was formed by Ecuadorian Andrés Cedeño, Costa Rican Yarod Vargas and El Salvador’s Boris Flores, delivering some of the most competitive battles of the evening.

The inclusion of Supercross expanded the event beyond exhibition and positioned the country as a competitive stage for continental racing talent. Photo credit: @_summer_film

KTM Junior Supercross: Investing in the Future

The KTM Junior Supercross provided 14 young riders the opportunity to compete on the same track as international athletes.

The category became one of the most celebrated moments of the night.

Gastón Herrera, Tiago Martung and Nicolás Gamboa formed the podium, but the significance extended beyond results. Competing within a World Cup program offered these young riders a tangible glimpse of what a professional pathway can look like.

Young riders compete in the KTM Junior Supercross, sharing the track with international athletes at X-Knights 2026. Photo credit: @_summer_film

Events like X-Knights do more than entertain.

They build future competitors.

The Women Behind X-Knights 2026

Behind every jump, every race and every broadcast image stood a structured organizational effort led in large part by women within RPM TV (the production and event management company responsible for organizing X-Knights).

Women behind the organization of X-Knights 2026. From left to right: Erika Mata, Jennifer Hidalgo, Laura Jiménez, Vanessa Benavides, María José Cubero and Wendolyn Núñez. Photo credit: María José Cubero.

Erika Mata directed Production and Logistics, ensuring technical precision.Jennifer Hidalgo led Marketing and Social Responsibility, expanding the event’s impact beyond the stadium.Laura Jiménez coordinated executive operations that translated planning into execution.Vanessa Benavides oversaw logistical operations critical to international competition.María José Cubero directed Press and Communication, positioning the event within global motorsport media.Wendolyn Núñez amplified the event digitally, extending its reach internationally.Natalia Chávez strengthened the commercial strategy that sustains events of this scale.

Their work reminds us that motorsport is not only built by those who race on the track, but also by those who believe, organize, lead, and create the stage where greatness can happen.

That leadership sends a quiet but powerful signal to every girl watching: your passion, your ideas, and your place in this sport matter.

A Defining Moment

Hosting a round of the FIM Freestyle Motocross World Cup is not merely a milestone. It is validation.

X-Knights 2026 confirmed that Costa Rica is not only a passionate audience for motorsport, but a capable and credible host at the highest international level.

The riders delivered excellence.The young competitors embraced opportunity.The organization executed with precision.

The result was not just a successful event — it was a clear signal: Costa Rica has earned its place on the global motorsport stage.