The Venum Bud Racing Kawasaki team got off to a perfect start to the 2026 season at the Spanish Grand Prix, the opening round of the EMX250 European Championship, securing a resounding one-two finish with Francisco Garcia and Jake Cannon taking first and second place, respectively.
Garcia dominates at home
Hailing from a region just two hours away from the Grand Prix, Francisco Garcia delivered a flawless performance throughout the weekend in front of a raucous crowd. The Spanish rider dominated the field, setting the fastest time in qualifying before winning both races in commanding fashion.
In the first race, Francisco Garcia got off to a strong start, quickly took the lead, and was never challenged, controlling the race like a true champion. In the second race, despite a more difficult start, he used his speed and racing intelligence to gradually catch up to his rivals and secure another victory.
This perfect weekend (1-1) allowed him to leave with the red leader’s plate, confirming a momentum already seen last season, where he consistently won and made a strong impression right from the start of the championship.
Cannon confirms its growth
For his part, Jake Cannon also made a strong impression with his best performance yet in the EMX250 class, confirming the progress he’s made over the offseason.
In the first race, the Australian showed excellent speed and made several passes to secure a solid second-place finish. In the second race, after crashing in the pack, he restarted around 12th position. Faster than his competitors, he mounted an impressive charge up to fifth place.
Thanks to his consistency and fighting spirit, Jake Cannon secured second place in the overall standings for the event, as well as in the championship after this first round.
An ideal start to the season
With this one-two finish, the Venum Bud Racing Kawasaki team has made a strong statement right from the start and established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the EMX250 field. This overall result confirms the potential of both riders in the title race this season.
See you next weekend for the second round of the EMX250 European Championship in Switzerland, but before that, check out the Inside vlog from the weekend here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi1pQJnJqt0
Jake Cannon: “I’m happy to show that I have the potential to compete at the front this season. It was an incredible weekend for the team, and I feel ready to deliver this for them as often as possible.”
Francisco Garcia: “It was probably the best race of my life; winning everything in front of my home crowd will be unforgettable. The season is off to a great start, and I’m going to give it my all to keep it going.”
