Rising Motocross Star, 17, Dead After ‘Serious Accident’ in Training Session

Spanish motocross athlete Enzo Badenas has died after an accident during a private training session on Sunday, December 7. He was 17.

A member of the Specialized Center for Motor Sports Technification since 2023, Badenas won the Spanish 85cc Motocross Championship in 2022 and was part of the Spanish motocross National team.

“The Specialized Center for Motor Sports Technification (CETDM) mourns the death of Enzo Badenas, motocross rider born in Gandia on January 24, 2008,” the organization wrote via Instagram on Sunday.

The statement continued, “Throughout this time he has shown great personal and professional growth that has led him to achieve various podiums and victories, as well as being called up with the Spanish Motocross National Team and competing in autonomous, national and international events, such as the European Championship.”

“The Ricardo Tormo Circuit Technification Center is shocked by this news and all the staff of the CETDM and the Circuit wish to give condolences, love and a lot of strength to all the family members, colleagues, friends and close ones of Enzo in these difficult moments. Rest in peace,” the statement concluded.

Only an hour before the accident, which occurred at the Red Sand Park circuit in Castellon, Badenas posted footage of him riding to his Instagram Story, according to People.

Badenas’ death comes six months after American motocross rider Camden Trail died at age 14 following an accident on his bike in North Carolina, also during a training session. Trail collided in midair with another rider in what East Bend Motorsports owner Travis Rominger called a “tragic accident” with neither rider at fault.

Badenas’ final post to his Instagram feed came on Wednesday, December 3, when he celebrated his father’s birthday.

“Today is the birthday of one of the most important people in my life and one of the ones I love the most,” he wrote alongside a carousel of photos of the two of them. “I wouldn’t know how to thank you for all you have done and still doing for me, or how grateful I am for it.”

He continued, “We know what a great team we are and how strong we can become together. We’ve had bad moments, like when we were in the hospital both crying, but also many good ones: finish a training happy, come back to music singing together, finish a race well or climb the podium. Despite those good and bad times, I thank God for living them by your side. You cannot imagine how good of a father you are and how proud I am of you. Happy birthday, Dad. I love you ❤️”

The late rider’s family released a statement via his Instagram Story on Tuesday, December 8, detailing his funeral arrangements.

“On behalf of Enzo’s entire family, we would like to inform you that the wake will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 1:00 p.m. followed by a funeral mass at 6:00 PM at the Monduver Funeral Home in Gandía,” they wrote. “We hope to see you all there. Enzo would have loved to see you. We are feeling all your love and support, and I’m sure Enzo feels it too.”