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2026 MXGP of Andalucia EMX250 Race 1
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00:23Hello, everybody, and welcome back to Andalusia.
00:26We are in southwest Spain.
00:28Next up on MXGP TV, the opening race of the European EMX 250 Championship.
00:35The first round of 2026 is upon us then.
00:40And the riders who were victorious and running out the top championship positions last year,
00:45Janis Reislis, Noel Zanotz, they have moved into MX2.
00:50The rider who finished third last year, Francesco Garcia,
00:53well, he remains in the championship and the bunt racing Kawasaki rider was fastest in time practice today.
01:00Nico Groitman, who was fourth, he's moved into MXGP.
01:03And Liam Owens, who was fifth, also remains.
01:07So, too, does Nico Skovbjerg, Jake Cannon, Mads Fredso, Lionel Reichel, and a few others as well.
01:18The racetrack here, 1700 meters long, we're at sea level.
01:23And all of a sudden, the winter season is over.
01:26The pre-season races are done.
01:29Stuff got real.
01:30The opening race of the EMX 250 about to get underway.
01:35Time practice group A.
01:37It was Mads Fredso, Catmoto, Bowerschmidt, KTM with a 146.269.
01:44But in group B, Francesco Garcia, 144.666.
01:50Billy Askew was second in group B, Guillaume Dunson third, Jacobs Kubelins and Jake Cannon.
01:56And then, of course, in group A was Mads Fredso, Nico Skovbjerg, Joe Brooks, Liam Owens, Dean Gregoire.
02:02We'll see all the riders coming up on screen in a few moments' time in terms of how they line
02:05up.
02:06But smile might never happen.
02:12A few moments ago, the EMX 250 riders disappeared on track.
02:16They were let out by Francesco Garcia in his red and yellow.
02:19The home rider being urged on.
02:21There's Billy Askew, 441, dirt store triumph.
02:24The number two there of Nikos Goldberg, Husqvarna mounted this year.
02:32Then 124, Jacobs Kubelins.
02:34He rode 125s last year.
02:37He's now on a two-stroke 250 in EMX 250.
02:41A little bit of cloud cover coming here now then.
02:43So certainly notice that drop in temperature when you get out there.
02:48Breeze picking up as well.
02:51Francesco Garcia on pole then.
02:52He was quickest in group B.
02:53Fredso was quickest in group A.
02:55We alternate.
02:55Billy Askew goes to line third ahead of Nico Skovbjerg, Guillaume Dunson, Joe Brooks, Jacobs Kubelins and the Aussie, Liam
03:01Owens.
03:06Lining up next behind them, Jake Cannon and Dean Gregoire.
03:10Nico Alvesi, last year's 125 champion.
03:12Simone Mancini, August Frisk, Lionel Reichel, Francesco Belay and Mano Four who finished second in 125s last year.
03:22Francesco Belay has got a few 125 podiums under his belt as well.
03:25Leon Rudolph, Filippo Mantovani who was third in the 125s last year and Adrian Mon.
03:30Then Sebastian Leoc, Tom Brudet, Rowan Tulsma and the rest of the riders.
03:34Once again, 40 riders.
03:38It was a penalty for Cesar Payne Diaz.
03:41Lost the fastest time stopping on the track.
03:44So eventually he was dipped to 17th in B group.
03:47Francesco Garcia though, Venombud Racing.
03:50Kawasaki rider staring down the eye of the lens.
03:54Trying to intimidate us, let alone his competition.
03:57Mads Fredso, 5.15.
03:59He goes to line second for Cat Motors Bauerschmidt KTM.
04:02Husfana mounted last year, remember?
04:07Number two of Nico Skovbjerg.
04:10The MX Handel Husfana rider.
04:15Had a fantastic couple of races last year.
04:19Got on the podium second overall Finland round 10 of 13.
04:23Clearly likes these kind of conditions though.
04:26Don't be surprised if we find him on the podium over the course of the weekend.
04:31He's good at coming through traffic as well if he needs to.
04:37If he makes a bad start.
04:38Hopefully that won't happen.
04:3925 minutes plus two.
04:41Fly racing 15 second board up for the first time in 2026.
04:44EMX 2.50.
04:45Race one.
04:47Askew to the inside.
04:49Brooks there.
04:49A couple of gates to his right on the Triumph.
04:53Then Fredso.
04:54Then Owens.
04:55Then Cannon.
04:57Gate number six or seven on the green Kawasaki.
05:00Good reaction there from the 29 of Garcia.
05:05But sweeping across.
05:07Now tricky that first turn is.
05:11Mano four.
05:14Or is it.
05:17I think it was Mano four.
05:20Leads away into the first couple of corners.
05:23But who is it that's behind him?
05:25Yeah.
05:25Four leads away.
05:26295.
05:28And then on the KTM.
05:30Mantovani.
05:30Then Garcia in third.
05:32Jake Cannon.
05:32Askew.
05:33Owens.
05:33Reichel.
05:33Frenzo.
05:34Gregoire.
05:35Alfisi.
05:35There he's top ten.
05:36Jana Bovort's in 13th place.
05:39Dunsen at 15.
05:40Erneke at 16.
05:41Max Erneke that is.
05:42Older brother to Moritz.
05:44Who was just victorious in race one in the 125s.
05:48Belay buried outside the top 20 in 22nd place.
05:51So too Frisk.
05:52Who was victorious in Switzerland last year.
05:54Katona.
05:55Who was challenging for the 125 title.
05:57He's down in 27.
05:58And Cole McCulloch down in 29.
06:03But already.
06:04Garcia.
06:05Making light work.
06:06Of his rivals.
06:07As he moves up into second position.
06:14Mantovani new to the class of course.
06:18Askew looking to get down the inside.
06:20He's in fourth place at the moment.
06:23Finds his way past Cannon.
06:34But one of the strongest riders last year.
06:37In this category.
06:39Eight podiums.
06:40Over the course of the campaign.
06:41Three of those as a winner on the top step.
06:43The number 29 here.
06:45Going to be a wall of noise.
06:47Through all of those.
06:49Grandstand areas of this race track.
06:51Over the line then.
06:53Mano 4 leads.
06:55Two seconds clear.
06:56Francesco Garcia.
06:58Mantovani third.
06:59The 4.41.
07:00Dirtstarch right there.
07:01The rider in blue.
07:03Billy Eskew is fourth.
07:04Then Jake Cannon.
07:05Just avoiding the roost off the rear wheel.
07:06Of the Britz motorcycle.
07:08Owens just behind them.
07:09So two Aussies.
07:10Line of Stern.
07:10Fifth and sixth.
07:11Bredso of Denmark.
07:12Then we've got the 3.63 of Reichel.
07:21Mantovani there in white.
07:22Or the lighter color anyway.
07:26Hanging on to that third place.
07:29But these sandy conditions right up.
07:32Billy Eskew's street.
07:34Where he lives in the UK.
07:35He's got an abundance of sand tracks.
07:37Deeper than this.
07:38Similar to this.
07:39Can he just maintain his composure.
07:43Because Billy Eskew.
07:44One of the bright stars.
07:46To come out of the UK.
07:47In recent years.
07:51Got a third in race one.
07:52In Italy last year.
07:54He's alongside Mantovani.
07:57He moves up in the third place.
08:07Head down.
08:08Wants to focus on Garcia.
08:10Garcia.
08:11Not going to make it easy for him though.
08:19And the battle for the lead already.
08:21Mano 4.
08:23Gapping the triple.
08:24Garcia deciding not to.
08:25Didn't need to either.
08:32Six round wins last year.
08:34Mano 4.
08:36In 1.25.
08:40Garcia three wins.
08:41In 2.50.
08:43But the 2.50.
08:45More powerful.
08:46A lot heavier.
08:49And whilst he's leading the way.
08:51Might just take him a little while longer.
08:53But you never know.
08:54But listen to that water noise.
08:55From the left.
08:56The grandstand there.
08:57A thousand fans packed out in that one.
09:00And then fans lined around all this race.
09:02Around this whole race circuit.
09:06Great atmosphere.
09:08As we expected.
09:09If we were going to get this kind of performance.
09:11From a home rider up front.
09:14We're going to go the long way round.
09:16Francesco Garcia.
09:18Heart rate through the roof.
09:21Got a kick there.
09:22He was almost out the front door.
09:24Heading into turn six.
09:26Mano 4.
09:26Not making it easy for him.
09:28Trying to hold a tight line.
09:31Not quite going to be bar to bar here.
09:33But Mano 4.
09:35Definitely making the Spaniard work.
09:37Keeping him to his outside elbow.
09:39Eventually.
09:40Garcia goes through.
09:41Garcia leads on that too.
09:53The Venom Bud Racing Kawasaki rider.
09:55Exactly where he wants to be.
09:58The Bud Racing Kawasaki squad.
10:00Actually did a great Instagram post.
10:03Where they sat him down in the chair.
10:04And his teammates.
10:06Kind of came in and.
10:07Gave him a little dance.
10:08Before revealing his kit.
10:10Well they did the dance in his kit anyway.
10:12Kind of packed in a little bag.
10:13And everything else.
10:14Blah blah blah.
10:15Great sense of humour that lot.
10:25Working his way towards the end of.
10:26The second lap.
10:29He was fastest at the end of the opener.
10:311.50.
10:321.15.
10:33Taking a look at the start.
10:34Shall we?
10:37Garcia leads for second.
10:38Askew third.
10:39Fredso and Cannon.
10:41Inside gate number one.
10:43Wasn't the best jump for him.
10:46But from the middle.
10:47Sweeping across.
10:48Over the.
10:48Hole shot line.
10:49Mano 4.
10:51The 2.95.
10:53On the VHR Yamaha.
10:59Great jump.
11:00Great reaction.
11:01Filippo Mantovani.
11:02Just inside him.
11:03Kubelins there.
11:04To the outside on the set.
11:05On the 1.24.
11:07And then Mancini goes down.
11:09Oh.
11:09Tell you what.
11:10Gets a foot peg.
11:11In the back of the shoulder blades there.
11:15And this was the move a moment ago.
11:17Round the outside.
11:18Watch here.
11:18He just gets a kick.
11:19Oh.
11:20Yeah.
11:21Wasn't as bad.
11:25They loved it.
11:28Spain 1.
11:28France 0.
11:33He's a proper stocky.
11:36Ryder isn't he?
11:37Strong too.
11:40Francesco Garcia.
11:41Two.
11:49Francesco Garcia.
11:51Eight race wins in his 250 career so far.
11:53Nine podiums.
11:55Three of those the winner.
11:56Three seconds.
11:57Three thirds.
12:00Looking to add to that here.
12:02In race one.
12:03Oh.
12:04I tell you what.
12:06Needed like he needed.
12:07It looked like he needed to.
12:09Add a trip to the berry farm there.
12:10He came down so hard.
12:13Watch this.
12:14Misses the foot peg.
12:16Around about.
12:16Now.
12:17What?
12:17He just came up short.
12:18Four.
12:19No.
12:20He was all right.
12:22Still got his voice box intact.
12:262.2 seconds clear though.
12:28Of the French rider.
12:30Mano four.
12:33Francesco Garcia.
12:36In his backyard.
12:38Cannon is up to four.
12:39He's found his way past Mads Fredso.
12:41So the number three on the punt as well.
12:46As he goes after Billy Askew there.
12:484.41.
12:54Francesco Garcia teeing things up nicely.
12:57For MX2 and MXGP qualifying a little later on.
13:02Well we've got a raft.
13:04Of home riders there as well that.
13:07The fans will be cheering for.
13:08We've got the panic show to come.
13:10At the end of all that.
13:11As well.
13:12So that'll be a raucous occasion.
13:18It's good for Billy Askew.
13:19Taking a couple laps to settle in.
13:21But he's closing in on Mano four now as well.
13:29Ah.
13:30Sweet work through there.
13:31He might even do it.
13:32By the time we get to the left-hander.
13:34And he does.
13:35Askew.
13:35Carves his way down the inside of the Frenchman.
13:38Just wonder whether Mano four has just.
13:40Put all his eggs in one basket.
13:42And just.
13:44Sort of blown the cork too early.
13:51Because all of a sudden he's just lost his rhythm here.
13:55Askew now up in the second.
14:05And Jake Cannon closing in in the background as well.
14:07The second.
14:08Of the Venombird racing.
14:09Kawasaki riders.
14:14Garcia.
14:15El Toro.
14:163.8 seconds clear.
14:17A moment ago.
14:18It's now gone out to just over four.
14:20As Askew moves into second.
14:24Mano four there in third.
14:25Jack Cannon.
14:26And.
14:26Was quicker than Mano four as well.
14:281.51.
14:293.92.
14:29To the Frenchman.
14:301.54.
14:327.
14:322.8.
14:34So that third place of the 2.95.
14:36In the baby blue jersey.
14:38Looks like it's under threat by the.
14:40Hard charging Australian.
14:42Number three.
14:43Jake Cannon.
14:44Fred So is fifth.
14:45Kubelins.
14:46Owens.
14:47Reichel.
14:47Taburcio.
14:49And Adrian Mond.
14:50Who got on the podium last year.
14:51He's in tenth.
14:52Matt Tavani has faded down to 11.
14:54So.
14:541.25 riders.
14:56Welcome to EMX 250 boys.
14:59Dean Gregoire 12.
15:00Francesco Belay.
15:01Doing what he did last year.
15:03Having a charge through the field.
15:04He's now up in the 13th.
15:05Only on a 2.50 this year.
15:07Not on a 1.25.
15:08Max Erneke.
15:09Guyon Dunson.
15:10That's a surprise.
15:11Down there in 15th on the.
15:13KTM.
15:15So.
15:16Guyon Dunson.
15:20Gabriel SS24.
15:21KTM factory junior rider.
15:23Was hoping for a better start.
15:24Didn't get one.
15:25Nico Alvesi.
15:26Last year's 1.25 European champion.
15:28He's in 16.
15:29Ahead of.
15:30Alexi Fueri.
15:31Tom Brené.
15:32Jana Berwutz.
15:33And.
15:33August Frisk.
15:35Big names from these classes down there.
15:37In the lower orders.
15:39Jana Berwutz.
15:40Two.
15:41Wins last year.
15:43In 125 European.
15:44In 125 European.
15:45Championship.
15:48Talking to his dad.
15:50Marnik.
15:51This morning.
15:52And he.
15:52Said that he had arm pump surgery.
15:54A few weeks ago.
15:56His arms just aren't quite fully recovered at the moment.
15:59In terms of strength wise.
16:00But.
16:01We'll get there.
16:07But again.
16:08When you're.
16:09Having to fight through traffic.
16:12Every rider.
16:14In this category.
16:15Just like 125.
16:16There's so much depth.
16:19I'll tell you what.
16:20Fredso's charging.
16:22Just there.
16:23515.
16:23Denmark.
16:29Catmoto.
16:30Bowerschmidt.
16:31KTM.
16:32Rider.
16:33Going after.
16:34Cannon.
16:37Got on the podium.
16:38First round last year.
16:39In Kozart.
16:40A very.
16:40Very muddy.
16:41Kozart.
16:46He won't mind about that though.
16:50His only podium to date.
16:59Cannon got on the podium as well.
17:00Last year.
17:00Don't forget.
17:02Natalie Basin.
17:03Third overall.
17:04Sister Charlie.
17:05Dad.
17:06Were over on that weekend as well.
17:14It was also Jake Cannon's first year in Europe last year.
17:17The other side of the world.
17:18No family members.
17:20Learning tracks.
17:21Oh.
17:22Man down.
17:22Man of four is down out of third.
17:31Rejoins the race.
17:33Without a visor.
17:36Riding bullet for the rest of the race.
17:39Looking to see where he drops.
17:41Says Kubelin's going through.
17:44So we've got Garcia lead of the way.
17:46Askew second.
17:47Cannon third.
17:48Fredso fourth.
17:49Kubelin's five.
17:50Watch this.
17:50Just gets it wrong.
17:52That thing's going to come back around on him.
17:54Looking.
17:55Pitch him to the outside.
17:57Took off left.
17:58Think bounce right.
18:00Man of four.
18:02Big off for the Frenchman.
18:03He's now down in sixth place.
18:10And losing more positions here.
18:14Bars might be a little bit tweaked.
18:17As he hits the line at the end of lap six.
18:19Man of four.
18:20Now down to eighth place.
18:22I wonder if he'll go into pit lane for a bit of a service.
18:30Francesco Garcia though.
18:34Leading the way.
18:35Five seconds clear.
18:39Got a race win in Italy last year.
18:44Two in Matsui Basin.
18:45One in Finland, Sweden.
18:47The Netherlands.
18:48Rounded out with a double race win.
18:50In Turkey.
18:50The final round.
18:59Came up short on the silver medal.
19:02That battle between him and Noel Zanotz.
19:04By six points in the end.
19:11Looks like he's got this one in control at the moment though.
19:31What's the gap?
19:325.3 seconds at the moment.
19:34So the Venom Bud racing Kawasaki rider.
19:37Yes.
19:37He put in a pace at the start.
19:40There's Billy Askew in the background.
19:42Just coming through that.
19:44Left.
19:45Cannon third.
19:46Dredso fourth.
19:48So the two teammates.
19:49First and third at the moment.
19:50They're separated by about eight and a half seconds.
19:55Askew keeping that gap stable.
19:575.6 seconds.
19:59Strong.
19:59Five laps.
20:01To go.
20:02That's the message from the team.
20:06And if he can bring this home.
20:08Francesco Garcia.
20:10It's one thing winning the race.
20:11Then another one winning at home.
20:12Especially with the support that you've got here.
20:14With the grandstands.
20:15And I will say.
20:16Hats off to the organizers here.
20:18Once again in Spain.
20:19When we went to Madrid.
20:20Into Xanadu.
20:22Arroyo Molinos.
20:23And we had those big grandstands.
20:25Right down there.
20:26In the bottom end of the circuit.
20:27Jorge Prado.
20:28Was the man of the moment.
20:30And the noise.
20:31The atmosphere.
20:32They definitely know how to put on a race.
20:35And they've done it again here this weekend.
20:39Malo 4.
20:40Dropping down the leaderboard.
20:41To 14th now.
20:44Bit beat up after his moment.
20:46Has he been down again?
20:47Oh.
20:48He's just folded the front.
20:50Lazy crash that one.
20:52So 4 down again.
21:05Tom Brunet here.
21:07Number 17.
21:08He is in 16th place at the moment.
21:12Brunet on the VHR.
21:14Racing Yamaha.
21:15Team mate.
21:16To Malo 4.
21:18Jake Cannon here.
21:19We'll see.
21:201.6 behind Billy Askew.
21:21All of a sudden.
21:22Second place.
21:23He's under threat.
21:25That's the Aussie.
21:26Chases down the Brunet.
21:31Surprised they're not going for the triple down the back straight.
21:34Got Wave Jellos around the corner here.
21:35Man down.
21:36Just parked in the turn.
21:41Askew last time around 52.8.
21:43Cannon 50.5.
21:46Lap time.
21:47And as they hit the line at the end of that 8.
21:49This time around.
21:50Garcia 151.9.
21:52Askew 55.1.
21:5354.1 for Cannon.
21:55That's why the gap is coming down.
21:57Lap after lap.
21:581.3 now.
21:59The gap between 2nd and 3rd.
22:00Pit boards and mechanics.
22:01Everybody hanging out there in pit lane.
22:03Mats Bredso is lurking dangerously in the background.
22:06He was quicker than both these two riders.
22:07So maybe Askew just holding up Cannon here.
22:10Foretso with clear track to go after the pair of them.
22:21Billy Askew's best result last year.
22:233rd in race 1 in Trentino.
22:25Round 3.
22:33Switzerland was 5th overall.
22:372nd and 3rd.
22:43See the rucks on that liquid molly jump now.
22:47And that continues to jump around that long sweeping.
22:50270 degree left hander.
22:54Come out of turn 6.
22:55Up into turn 7.
22:56Round past the monster rig.
22:58Continues to go.
22:59And then midway through there.
23:00You've got that jump.
23:01And then when you land,
23:02you continue through 90 degrees.
23:03After that.
23:11One of those level of tracks.
23:13No one knew what we were going to get till we got here.
23:18That's perfect for someone like.
23:20Jake Cannon, of course, because.
23:22All the tracks last year that he rode pretty much all of them.
23:25Everybody that was racing had ridden them at some point.
23:29Everybody that was racing had ridden them at some point.
23:33But Fredso.
23:36Looking good, looking confident here as he looks to close the two guys down ahead of him.
23:41Billy Askew and Jake Cannon.
23:44See what the lap times are between 2nd, 3rd and 4th.
23:47Oh, carnage there.
23:52Lionel Reichel, Adrian Mond.
23:54Who else was in there?
23:56Belay, I think, was in there as well.
23:58So that's probably what?
23:59Taken 7th, 8th, 9th out of the mix.
24:04Oh, yeah.
24:05Reichel goes down.
24:06Adrian Mond and Francesco Belay.
24:08All couldn't avoid him.
24:09And that's an easy 3-fer for Owens, who moves up to 7th.
24:29So Belay down to 14th.
24:31Owens moves up to 7th.
24:32Fueri up to 8th.
24:33Dunsen 9th.
24:34Suddenly he's made some ground, has the Dutch rider.
24:37Former Junior World Champion.
24:38Mantovani up to 10th.
24:39Mano 4.
24:40Gains back 3 positions.
24:42Tom Brunet up to 12th.
24:43Francesco Belay down to 13th.
24:45Mond down to 14th.
24:4715th place.
24:48Reichel down to 20th position.
24:54Battle for 2nd continues here, though, with 5 minutes plus 2 laps to go.
24:58How much in the tank has Jake Cannon got left?
25:00On that Venom Bud race in Kawasaki.
25:03On the number 3 machine here.
25:09Definitely a chewed-up racetrack already.
25:13Strange ground, though.
25:14Over that side seems a lot deeper.
25:16Over this side a lot firmer.
25:21But those braking bumps are really now starting to come through, aren't they?
25:26And develop.
25:28Buster gut.
25:30For the first few laps, all of a sudden your heart rate's through the roof and then...
25:33There's a quick sort of check there.
25:36All of a sudden you lose your rhythm and then it's like, hang on a minute, this place is rougher
25:39than I thought.
25:42Might need to do something about that pace.
25:44Just peg it back a bit.
25:47Cannon closer than he has been all race.
25:51Can almost smell the fumes out of the tailpipe of the 441 Dirtstore Triumph ahead of him.
26:00Stays where he is.
26:01Gets his best race finish in the MX250.
26:04Gets passed by Cannon.
26:07Equals his best from Trentino last year, race 1.
26:14Jake Cannon, meanwhile, who finished 8th in the championship last year.
26:17As he continues to dog the Brit.
26:23Cannon got a second at the opening round in race 1 in Spain.
26:27Cozar in the mud.
26:29Then followed that up as a third and a fourth at Matzli, which got him on the podium.
26:34But Askew taking the wide line around the outside into the waves.
26:39Cannon gets alongside him.
26:41And goes past.
26:43Askew moves into second.
26:54Askew now will be mindful.
26:56Couple of mistakes there.
26:57So maybe just starting to feel the heat a little bit.
27:01Maybe he just pushed the pace a little bit too much early on.
27:05To make things happen.
27:07Now got to be careful of Matz Bredsoe behind him.
27:10Bredsoe, though, five seconds adrift at the moment.
27:14Their lap times are similar last time around.
27:16But as it stands right now, when we hit the line at the end of lap 11.
27:23Francesco Garcia is going to lead.
27:26And his teammate, Jake Cannon, is going to be bringing it home for a Venom Bud race in 1-2.
27:31This was the moment.
27:32Cannon ran the outside.
27:35Askew no reply.
27:38Askew no reply.
27:41Venom Bud race in 1-2 then.
27:44Garcia and Cannon, the two teammates.
27:48Talk about a perfect start to the weekend.
27:53Here is your race leader.
27:56Did the hard bit.
27:57Got to the front early on.
27:58Pulled a gap.
27:59And he's maintained it.
28:00Nine seconds now.
28:03Over Jake Cannon.
28:10Here's how he made his way to the lead.
28:15This was on lap 2.
28:17Going past Filippo Mantovani first of all.
28:21That got him from 3rd to 2nd.
28:23And then he went after Mano 4.
28:27They found his way past there as well.
28:32Mano 4 slipping back down the order.
28:35From 11th to 12th as Francesco Belay goes back by the Frenchman.
28:39Janne Berdewaerts up to 17.
28:42Gus Uman.
28:44Uman of the Netherlands up into 20th position.
28:49Reichel out of the top 20 now.
28:51Skowbjerg.
28:52Not sure what happened to him on the opening laps.
28:55But he's up into 23rd position.
29:01And Adrian Petit who won the first round last year.
29:03Second at round 2.
29:05Finds himself buried and climbing up to 30th at the moment.
29:09Tough opening race for the French rider.
29:12Three laps to go.
29:14As Garcia hits the line.
29:1980 metres into that first turn from the start.
29:22Gates over that foxhole shot line down past pit lane.
29:25About another 95 metres or so in the opposite direction.
29:28Slightly back to the outside in that grandstand turn.
29:31Through turn two.
29:33Then we've got this long straight back through here.
29:35The fast sweeping turn three.
29:37Again back to the outside if you want to jump that double on the city.
29:42Jump.
29:43And you've got the Yamaha grandstand here off to the right.
29:481,000 fans in there as well.
29:501,000 fans in there as well.
30:01Francesco Garcia.
30:06In control.
30:07Just got to be careful not to take his eye completely off the ball.
30:11And get too complacent.
30:12So that's when your little mistakes happen.
30:14When you don't need them.
30:16When you least expect them to.
30:21But it's got the gap back out to 9.4.
30:28So pretty much control in this race.
30:30Two and a bit laps to go.
30:46Two and a bit laps to go.
30:47Done everything right so far the 29th.
30:58Couple of corners from taking the two lap board.
31:01Keeping his gap stable to his teammate to nine and a half seconds.
31:05As it stands right now.
31:07Francesco Garcia.
31:08Draped in the colours of the national flag.
31:11Two laps from taking a race win here on home soil.
31:23Here's lap time.
31:24One fifty four zero zero zero three.
31:26Cannon.
31:27Fifty four eight one eight.
31:32To Bercio.
31:35Having issues.
31:37Over on the far side.
31:39Of the circuit.
31:40So that's just on the landing.
31:43Of the liquid Molly jump.
31:46So Bernardo to Bercio.
31:47Brazil.
32:00Looks calm doesn't he.
32:02Francesco Garcia.
32:03You can see it.
32:04That's where to Bercio fell a moment ago.
32:09Uphill wave section here.
32:12They know everybody wants to cut through.
32:14So they build that line up even higher there.
32:17As they swing through turn nine.
32:19The right hander.
32:26Owens down to 11.
32:27So he's lost a handful of positions.
32:29Late on in the race.
32:30The Australian.
32:32On the three oh four.
32:36Francesco Belé.
32:37What a charge.
32:38And Guillaume Dunson.
32:40And Dueri actually.
32:41Because they're sixth, seventh and eighth.
32:43Dueri, Dunson, Belé.
32:45Four has found himself into ninth somehow.
32:48Brunet 10.
32:50Owens 11.
32:53Is the final couple of corners here.
32:58Into the final lap.
32:59For Francesco Garcia.
33:02As he hits the Monster Energy finish line.
33:04For the penultimate time.
33:08Circuit announcer.
33:09All over it.
33:10So two of the fans.
33:11There'll be a wall of noise here.
33:12As we head down into turn two.
33:14Listen to this.
33:20We'll head back in the opposite direction.
33:22Two corners later.
33:22As he hits the Monster Energy jump.
33:24As he hits the Monster Energy jump.
33:24To his right hand side.
33:25In the Yamaha grandstand.
33:27There'll be another.
33:29Vociferous reception.
33:36And as he exits turn 12.
33:39Into the final sector.
33:42The final grandstand on this racetrack.
33:47He'll be greeted once more.
33:50Still the gap.
33:51More than nine seconds.
33:53Between himself and Jake Cannon.
33:58On paper.
34:00Certainly in terms of championship.
34:02Classification last year.
34:03Where Giannis Reisselis.
34:05And Noel Zanotz.
34:06Were first and second.
34:07Francesco Garcia.
34:09Starting out this year.
34:09As a favorite.
34:11Of course.
34:11That then needs to be determined.
34:13By.
34:13How good a winter.
34:15Prep.
34:16His rivals.
34:17Had.
34:19And on today's performance.
34:23Garcia.
34:25Showing that.
34:26That third place in the championship.
34:28And with the top two moving out.
34:33Starting his firm favorite.
34:34And not affecting him.
34:36One iota.
34:37One look back over the.
34:39Jump down the back straight.
34:41He's backed it off.
34:42And so too is Cannon.
34:43Because he's six and a half seconds clear.
34:45Of Billy Askew.
34:46Askew.
34:46Is going to be picking up third.
34:48In the first race of the season.
34:49Cannon.
34:50A fine second place.
34:51Just as he did.
34:52A year ago in Kozar.
34:53But.
34:54Francesco Garcia.
34:55He's going to round out the final turn.
34:57Garcia.
34:58Wins.
34:59Race one.
35:00In Spain.
35:03And what a reception.
35:05For the fans.
35:09What a moment.
35:10For Francesco Garcia as well.
35:15He can't believe it.
35:21Congratulations Billy Askew.
35:22Third in race one.
35:24Putting yourself in the championship mix.
35:26Straight away.
35:27In this opening round.
35:33Thirteenth and a zero.
35:35Last year in Spain.
35:36In Kozar.
35:38For the Brit.
35:41Needs to get a good night's sleep tonight.
35:44Not think too much about.
35:46The likelihoods and the scenarios of a potential podium tomorrow.
35:50Just get on.
35:51Do what you've done today.
35:52Same goes for Garcia.
35:54And Jake Cannon as well.
36:08Askew top three.
36:09Mads Fredsoe.
36:10Jacob Skubalins.
36:11Alexey Ferre.
36:11Dunson.
36:12Belay.
36:13Mano four.
36:13Tom Brené.
36:14Adrian Monner.
36:15Liam Owens.
36:17Nico Skubbjerg.
36:18Up to 13th.
36:19Alvizzi 14th.
36:20Max Erneke down to 15th on the final lap.
36:23Tolsema.
36:24Reichel.
36:25Back into 17th from being 21st a couple of laps ago.
36:29And then we've got Ormond.
36:29Berfuz and Leoc.
36:31They're all over the line now.
36:32Your top 20.
36:33Let's go down to Lisa Leyland.
36:35She is with Francesco Garcia.
36:37A winner here.
36:38At first time in Spain.
36:41Francesco Garcia.
36:42Congratulations.
36:43First race win of the 2026 season.
36:45And you did it.
36:46Pretty much your local track.
36:48Yeah.
36:49I win the today.
36:50The first motor of the year.
36:51Also like.
36:52Last year.
36:53I.
36:53My last race.
36:54I win the two motors.
36:56For finish the year.
36:57Today.
36:57I win also the first motor.
36:58More in my city.
37:00I am happy.
37:01This winter.
37:02I have.
37:03A little bit.
37:04Like.
37:05Not big.
37:05But.
37:06A little bit injury.
37:07In the knee.
37:07Was strong.
37:08For I think.
37:09I can.
37:09To start the year.
37:10But.
37:11I start.
37:11I am.
37:12With the win.
37:13And I am so happy.
37:14Good luck for tomorrow.
37:19Then about racing.
37:21Kawasaki's.
37:22Francesco Garcia.
37:23He stared us out.
37:25Down the.
37:26Lens of the camera.
37:27At the start of the race.
37:29Psyched us out.
37:30Psyched the competition out.
37:32Pulled out all the blocks.
37:34And all the stops.
37:35Took over the lead.
37:36Early.
37:37And from there.
37:37Was never headed.
37:38Eleven and a half seconds in the end.
37:40Over Jake Cannon.
37:41His teammate.
37:41And then on Bud Racing.
37:43Kawasaki 1-2.
37:44Here.
37:44In the opening race of the season.
37:51The end.
37:52The end.
38:00The end.
38:03Championship 2026.
38:04Here in Almonte.
38:05Andalusia.
38:07Filippo Mantovani.
38:07To the inside.
38:08On the KTM.
38:09Mano.
38:09Four.
38:09To the outside.
38:10On the Yamaha.
38:12And it was four.
38:12Who led the way.
38:13Coming out of turn two.
38:14Francesco Garcia.
38:15Was around about fifth.
38:16Got around the outside.
38:17Of Billy Askew.
38:19As he chased down the top three.
38:20On the opening lap.
38:21And that was a perfect start.
38:23For him.
38:23For the fans here.
38:24Very much a home round.
38:26He quickly moved past Mantovani.
38:27Into second.
38:28And then went after Mano.
38:29Four.
38:30And he got his opportunity.
38:31On lap two.
38:32Went around the outside.
38:33Of the right open.
38:33His second.
38:34In the 125 European Championship.
38:35Last year.
38:36And from there.
38:37There was no comeback.
38:38From the Frenchman.
38:39In fact.
38:39The Frenchman then.
38:40Had issues.
38:41All of his self.
38:41Starting here.
38:42On the jump.
38:43He was in second.
38:45Billy Askew.
38:46Went by him.
38:47To move into that second.
38:48A lap or so later.
38:49Just there.
38:50Corner of the screen.
38:51Mano.
38:52Crashed out.
38:53Spectacularly.
38:54Picked himself back up.
38:58A simple four.
38:58That one was down to about.
39:00Sixteenth position.
39:00Eventually.
39:01Came home.
39:02In ninth.
39:03Up and down.
39:04For the Frenchman.
39:05Jake Cannon.
39:06Found his way past.
39:07Billy Askew.
39:08To move into second.
39:11And that was.
39:13Late on in the race as well.
39:15Tabersio.
39:16Brazil.
39:17Had issues.
39:17Eventually.
39:18He came home.
39:20Just outside of the top 20.
39:22But.
39:23Francesco Garcia.
39:25What a race.
39:26What a moment for him.
39:27And Ben and Bud race in Kawasaki.
39:29First and second.
39:30Garcia and Cannon.
39:31But.
39:32To win at home.
39:33The opening race of the season.
39:34Francesco Garcia.
39:35On fire here.
39:37In Andalusia.
39:48The results from race one then.
39:50Francesco Garcia.
39:51From Jake Cannon.
39:52Ven and Bud racing.
39:53Second one two.
39:55Then we had.
39:56Askew.
39:57Fredso.
39:58Kubelins.
39:58Fueri.
39:59Dunson.
39:59Belay.
39:59Fantastic ride for Askew.
40:03Then we had Mano Four.
40:04And Tom Brené.
40:06Adrian Mond.
40:06Fueri.
40:07Liam Owens.
40:08Niko Skogberg.
40:09Niko Alvisi.
40:10Max Erneke.
40:12Rowan Polsma.
40:14And then bringing up the final point.
40:16Lionel Reichel.
40:18Gus Uhrmann.
40:19Jana Bervutz.
40:20And Sebastian Leo.
40:23Machini fell on the exit of turn one.
40:25Right.
40:26We're going to take a break.
40:27Join us.
40:27Five minutes from now.
40:29Twenty five past.
40:30For MX2 qualifying.
40:32We'll see you then.
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