FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOURCE: ENDURANCE.NET
February 3 2026
As of December 9, 2025, Chile holds the status of a "high-potential wild card" for the 2026 World Endurance Championship.
While Brazil is the volume leader in South America, Chile produces elite individual riders who often train and compete in Europe or the UAE, making them dangerous competitors for a top-10 individual finish.
Here is the detailed status of the Chilean Team ("La Roja") for the 2026 cycle:
1. Current Team Status: The "European" Advantage
Unlike other South American teams that struggle with travel logistics, Chile’s top riders are often already based in Europe or have long-standing leases with European stables.
- Strategic Edge: This allows them to compete regularly against the French, Spanish, and Italian elites, gaining experience at the speeds required for the World Championship.
- Recent Momentum: The Chilean federation (Federación Ecuestre de Chile) is currently celebrating a strong performance at the 2025 Pan American Championships in Brazil (July 2025), where their Young Rider squad performed historically well. This success indicates a strong pipeline of talent that may step up to the Senior level for AlUla.
2. Key Contenders ("The Watch List")
The Chilean effort is spearheaded by one of the most respected professional riders in the global circuit.
- Boni Viada de Vivero: The superstar of Chilean endurance.
- Status: Boni is a world-class rider who has spent years competing in Italy (often associated with the elite Fuxiateam stable).
- The "AlUla" Factor: Because he competes weekly in Europe against the world's best, he is accustomed to the 22+ km/h speeds required to win. If he has a sound horse (often leased from a top Italian or UAE owner), he is a legitimate medal contender individually.
- Pablo Gómez Martínez:
- Status: A consistent high-level competitor who has represented Chile at multiple championships. He remains a core part of the team's backbone.
- The "Pan Am" Graduates: Watch for the top performers from the 2025 Pan American team (Young Riders) to potentially fill the 4th and 5th spots on the senior roster, gaining valuable experience.
3. Strategic Outlook for AlUla
- Individual Glory vs. Team Completion: Chile rarely has the depth to challenge France or Spain for the Team Gold. Instead, their strategy is usually individual focused.
- Tactics: Expect their top rider (likely Boni) to ride with the lead pack (UAE/Bahrain/Spain) from the start, while the rest of the team rides a conservative race to ensure a team finish.
Summary of South American Hierarchy
- Brazil: The Team Contender (Aiming for a medal).
- Chile: The Individual Contender (Aiming for a top-10 finish).
- Uruguay: The Tactical Contender (Aiming for high completion).