Official: Francisco Garcia to be a Kawasaki MX2 works rider in 2027

Spanish Bud Racing Kawasaki rider Francisco Garcia is dominating the EMX250 this year. Following the contract extension of Frenchman Mathis Valin, the Spaniard will also compete in the MX2 World Championship as a factory rider next year.

The 18-year-old Garcia has already won five EMX rounds this season and, after 8 of 12 rounds, holds a solid lead of 104 points over his closest rival, Jake Cannon. At the French Grand Prix, Garcia started on a wildcard and finished his MX2 GP debut with two 10th-place finishes. During the summer break, he plans to compete in the USA.

US races planned for Garcia

“It’s definitely a dream to move up to the MX2 World Championship with the Kawasaki factory team,” explained the Spaniard. “Of course, I’m very motivated and I know that the factory bike has enormous potential, as Mathis has already shown. I’m training with Mathis alongside our coach Thierry van Den Bosch. At the moment, my focus remains on the European Championship title, so that I can bring this chapter of my career at Bud Racing to a close on a high note.”

Management backs young riders

“We’ve had two strong years in MX2 with Kawasaki,” explains Team Manager Antti Pyrhönen. “We want to build on this momentum even further in the future. We’re delighted to have another talented young rider, Francisco Garcia, on the team. There is a clear vision of what we want to achieve in the future, and we would like to thank Bud Racing Kawasaki for the excellent collaboration. Mathis and Francisco have learnt a great deal at Bud Racing. I am confident that both Mathis and Francisco will help us achieve our goals in this category.”

“For Kawasaki, expanding the works team by one more rider is a huge milestone,” says Steve Guttridge (KME Race Planning Manager). “From the start of the coming season, we expect Garcia to continue his upward trajectory.”

Mathis Valin sidelined with a vertebral contusion

Mathis Valin, who crashed whilst leading the qualifying race at Agueda and required medical attention, has since undergone further examination. He has been diagnosed with vertebral contusions, which now require him to take a further break.