Kawasaki Racing Team MX2 has confirmed that Francisco Garcia will join Mathis Valin in the squad’s line-up for next season’s FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship, with the Spaniard earning a promotion to Kawasaki’s factory effort after an impressive campaign in the EMX250 European Championship.
Garcia, who has been one of the standout performers in this year’s EMX250 series, follows a similar pathway to Valin, with both riders progressing through Kawasaki’s development structure before securing factory rides aboard the Kawasaki KX250F-SR machines.
The MX2 factory project, launched by Kawasaki Motors Ltd. nearly two years ago, has already enjoyed considerable success through its partnership with Kawasaki Racing Team and Valin. The young Frenchman, who claimed the 2024 EMX250 title in his first season with Kawasaki, has helped demonstrate the competitiveness of the KX250 platform, highlighted by victory at the recent German round of the MX2 World Championship in just the team’s second season competing at world championship level.
For 2027, Kawasaki Racing Team MX2 will expand to a two-rider operation, and all parties agreed Garcia was the ideal choice to partner Valin. Having joined the Team Green family last year, the Spaniard has continued to impress while racing for Team Bud Racing, which recently celebrated 20 years of partnership with Kawasaki.
Still only 18 years old, Garcia has won five of the first eight EMX250 rounds this season and carries a commanding lead in the championship standings. He also showed his potential on the world stage earlier this year when he made his MX2 Grand Prix debut as a wildcard rider at the French GP, securing a top-10 overall finish.
With the European Championship taking a break during July, Garcia will further broaden his experience by contesting several rounds of the US outdoor motocross series with Bud Racing before stepping up to the factory squad next season.
Garcia said the opportunity to join Kawasaki Racing Team MX2 represented the fulfilment of a long-held ambition.
“For sure it’s a dream to move to the World Championship with the Kawasaki Racing Team; I am so happy to have this opportunity,” Garcia said. “Of course I am very motivated for next season, as I have been already this year. I know the factory bike has a huge potential as Mathis has shown already.
“I’m happy to join him as we often practice together with our trainer Thierry Van Den Bosch. Of course the main goal at the moment is to secure the European title to end this chapter of my career with Bud Racing on a high before joining KRT.”
Kawasaki Racing Team manager Antti Pyrhonen believes Garcia’s promotion is the natural next step for both rider and team as Kawasaki continues to strengthen its MX2 programme.
“We have enjoyed a strong two years in the MX2 category with Kawasaki, and we want to push even more in the future,” Pyrhonen explained. “We are happy to welcome another young talent into the team with EMX250 leader Francisco Garcia. It makes a clear statement regarding what we want to achieve in the future, and we need to thank Bud Racing for the great cooperation we enjoy together.
“Mathis learnt a lot with Bud, and the same goes for Francisco, who is thus already prepared for his move to the next level with the factory team. I am confident that both Mathis and Francisco will help us to reach our goals in this category!”
Kawasaki Motors Europe Race Planning Manager Steve Guttridge said Garcia’s rise through the ranks highlights the strength of Kawasaki’s Team Green development pathway.
“Francisco has consistently been an inspiration within our Bud Racing team, as the Spanish teenager continues to go from strength to strength on the KX250,” Guttridge said.
“Already claiming his first French MX2 National Championship title this season – and showing dogged determination every weekend in the EMX250 class – he is justifiably leading the category.
“It’s a massive milestone for Kawasaki to be able to expand the factory MX2 team with the addition of a second seat. Both our young riders have graduated from our unique Team Green program which is the perfect scenario. From lap one in the coming season, we expect Garcia to continue his powerful progression inside KRT.”
