VENUM BUD RACING KAWASAKI TEAM SHINES AT THE ENDUROPALE DU TOUQUET

This weekend saw the 50th edition of the Enduropale du Touquet-Pas-de-Calais, the world’s biggest sand motorcycle race and the final round of the FIM World Sand Racing Championship. The event brought together nearly 2,800 international riders and more than 700,000 spectators.
This legendary event also marked the start of the sporting season for Team Venum Bud Racing Kawasaki, with the first race of the 2026 season.

Outstanding performance in the Espoirs category: Tim Lopes dominates

Bud Academy’s young rider Tim Lopes delivered an impressive performance in the Espoirs race. Starting in the top 15, Tim quickly set his pace and took the lead in the pack on the second lap. He was never challenged, crossing the finish line with a comfortable lead of more than 3 minutes over his pursuers. A superb first victory in his first race of 2026.

Spectacular comeback and podium finish for Jake Cannon in the Junior category

The first Australian rider to compete in this sand race, Jake Cannon was completely new to the discipline when he took part in the legendary Le Touquet event in the Junior category for the first time. For this grand debut, the day was full of twists and turns. After crashing in the first corner, Jake restarted in 140th place before embarking on a spectacular comeback. Thanks to his determination and speed, he managed to climb up to 3rd place overall, securing a remarkable podium finish for his very first experience on the sand of Le Touquet.

The Venum Bud Racing Kawasaki Team is now back to training, with Jake Cannon and Francisco Garcia set to compete in the International Race of Sommières on February 22 before tackling the French Elite Championship on March 1st in Castelnau-de-Lévis and the EMX250 European Championship in Almonte, Spain, on March 21 & 22.

Check out the Enduropale du Touquet INSIDE vlog here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmneZpYYdrQ

Stephane Dassé: “Le Touquet is always an important race because it brings together hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts. Every year, we try to recruit talented young riders who are capable of winning. I am proud of our riders, who gave it their all. Now we are refocusing on our main objectives: the French and European motocross championships.”

Tim Lopes: “I’m happy to have gotten my revenge after finishing third last year. I managed my race well, and that allowed me to win. I’m leaving for Spain tomorrow to train. I’m going to do everything I can to make my last season in 85cc a success.”

Jake Cannon: “I didn’t know what to expect when I came here. In Australia, we don’t have sand, and I never thought I’d be able to ride a race like this before coming to Europe. I’m disappointed that I crashed because I would have liked to fight for the win, but I had a lot of fun and I’m happy with my performance. I hope to come back and ride this race again one day.”

The Enduropale du Touquet marked the start of the season for Bud Racing’s newest recruit, Fran Garcia. The young Spaniard had no prior experience with sand racing before taking on the legendary race in Northern France in the Juniors category. More importantly, he hadn’t competed since his knee injury, which required surgery last July.
After a few weeks of preparation on his 250 KX, the Enduropale became his first race under his new colors. Curious yet determined to perform well, Fran started 138th from the waiting area (out of 200 riders). Making his way up to the first row at the starting line, he took off in 9th position before climbing to 4th by the end of the first lap.

A solid race

A collision with another rider in the first lap cost him some time before he found his rhythm again. In the end, after a strong race where he lacked only experience, Fran secured 3rd place and earned a spot on the final podium. The overall outcome is very positive—discovering the discipline and achieving an impressive result for his first participation.
The goal is to return next year and fight for victory. In the meantime, the Andalusian is focusing on the opening round of the French MX2 Championship this weekend in Lacapelle-Marival,
followed by the first round of the EMX250 European Championship on March 16th in Castilla de la Mancha (Spain).

Fran Garcia:
“I had a lot of fun in my first Touquet. It felt like I was doing a completely different sport, but I gained a lot of experience and truly enjoyed it. I had a great feeling with the bike, and my knee feels fantastic. I’m really happy to be racing again, and I feel great within the team. I’m already looking forward to the next race in Lacapelle next weekend.”

Stéphane Dassé:
“We didn’t really know what to expect when we arrived, as Fran was new to this discipline. Of course, we would have loved to leave with the victory, but for a first attempt, he did really well. Now that he has gained some experience, we hope to come back next year and go for the win.”

Another podium finish for Bud Racing colors—Tim Lopes secured 3rd place in the Espoirs category. The Bud Academy rider kicked off his season in style in his first official race under his new colors. Lastly, three young female riders at this 2025 Enduropale delivered a strong performance as Bud Racing support riders. Thelma Boudier won the Espoirs girls’ category, followed by Sarah Leroy, who claimed victory in the Juniors category ahead of Léa Chaput,
all three riding Kawasakis. Congratulations!

Watch the “Inside” video of the event on our YouTube channel >

As every year the Touquet Enduropale was succesful with more than 2700 riders, and team Bud Racing Kawasaki was involved in the race with Mathis Valin who raced the junior class. As did in the past Dylan Ferrandis and Quentin Prugnières, Mathis won the event for his first race in the 250 class.

Main event in the calendar of the French Sand series, the Enduropale was the first race of Mathis on a 250 and the result confirmed that he feels comfortable on the 250 Kawasaki. Despite a bad position behind the starting gate due to his #188, Mathis was sixth after the opening lap and gained a few positions during the first laps. He closed the gap with the leaders lap after lap, and came second after the ninth of twenty-one laps; three laps later he took the lead and made a gap to cross the finish line with a thirty-eight seconds advantage.

Mathis Valin: “I was far on the grid with my number 188, completely outside and I wanted to start quickly to follow the leaders, but in the first part of the race I had some trouble to pass some amateur riders. It took me a few laps to find my marks on the track, I was not very comfortable in the waves. When I was told that I reduced the gap with the leaders after a few laps I felt more relax; I came back second, we made a quick refueling – congrats to the mechanics – and once leading I made a little gap on Knuiman. I stayed calm despite a little crash during the race, and I had fun here. It’s great to start the season on a victory!”

Stéphane Dasse: “We are happy with this victory, and super happy for Mathis. This winter we discovered a simple boy, easy to get along with, hard worker, everyone appreciates his attitude and the relationship within the team, whether it is the mechanics or his teammate Benjamin Garib, is very good. We took him training in the United States, in Spain, in Sardinia, we try to provide everything so that our riders can train in good conditions because they both deserve it. Le Touquet is an important race for us and for Kawasaki, so we are delighted with this great start of the season.”

An unmissable event in France, the Enduropale du Touquet not only puts an end to the French championship in Les Sables this Saturday February 4 and Sunday February 5, 2023 but also serves as an opening for the 1st Cup of the FIM Sand Racing World Championship. This means that the event is particularly awaited. The Bud Racing team is taking up the challenge with clearly announced ambitions. Quentin Prugnières and Anthony Bourdon are ready to monopolize the outposts.

On the strength of his victory in the Juniors only a few weeks ago on Hossegor beach, but above all the title holder in this category reserved for pilots under 18, Quentin Prugnières arrives like the great favorite of the race. The young Reunionese is preparing to compete in a new season in the 250cc MX European Championship and intends to take advantage of his excellent physical condition at the moment to shine again this year in the sands of Touquet. On the handlebars of his 250 KX Bud Racing, his intentions are clear. “This Touquet is once again a good preparation race for me for the coming season. Like last year, the goal is to put on the gas and win.”
First official release

Freshly arrived in the Bud Racing team, Anthony Bourdon will be just as keen to wear his new colors high. The native of Agen likes to ride in the sand, a texture that suits him well. With an 8th place obtained last year at Le Touquet in the queen category, Anthony is fully capable of once again placing his 450 KX Bud Racing at the top of the table and who knows, creating a surprise. “I can’t wait to put my wheels on the beaches of Le Touquet for my first outing with the Kawasaki Bud racing. The whole team did a great job on the bike. I only had January to prepare but I feel really comfortable on the Kawa and I think we can do something good while having fun”.

Other Kawasaki France riders supported by the Bud Racing team, Pierrick Paget is back on the legendary event, he who scored 4 consecutive podiums between 2006 and 2009. He will be accompanied by Lucien Cupif alias “La Boiserie” encouraged by more than 1 million subscribers on its social networks. Wearing bibs 101 and 500 respectively, the two acolytes intend to surpass themselves and give the best of themselves. We can trust them. See you Saturday from 2 p.m. for the Motorcycle race, broadcast live on the TV channels France 3, AutoMoto la Chaine and L’Équipe. The Juniors race takes place on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Team Bud Racing Kawasaki was racing at home this weekend, as the beach of Hossegor is just a few kilometres from the team head quarter. As every year the beach met hundreds of riders involved in a round of the French Beach race series, and Quentin Prugnieres didn’t miss the opportunity to win the Junior race and to put the team colours on top of the box.

Back a few days earlier from Florida, where he got several podium results at the Mini O’s in Gatorback, Quentin joined the team in Hossegor to race the ‘Ronde des Sables’. Another experience for him after racing many Motocross and a few Supercross events this season, and this year again he dominated the Junior race. Starting from the second row behind the gate, as he’s not a regular contender in the series, Quentin didn’t take unnecessary risks at the start of the ninety minutes’ race. After three laps he took the lead of the race, and did a perfect demonstration even if he lost some time with a little problem of vent hose dislocated. Playing with his bike, doing some wheelies in the sand, he crosses the finish line nearly two minutes ahead of his main rival for his last race this season. No more starts for him this year, but he will now continue to train with the Team to prepare next season.

Quentin Prugnières: “Everything went perfect, I took my time to get the lead after starting from the second row and then I managed the race. I lost a few seconds due to a fuel hose, but apart this I had a lot of fun on this beautiful beach. It’s nice to race so different events, MX, SX and here a beach race on such a nice place. I enjoy my youth!”