Vencislav Toshev has been making steady progress in the European motocross scene, developing his craft under the guidance of former MXGP rider Petar Petrov. After starting 2024 in the EMX125 championship with the AIT Fantic team, the tall Bulgarian soon found himself stepping up to EMX250 to end the 2025 season, where the bigger bike already seems to suit him much better. During his short EMX career so far, Toshev has shown flashes of real potential with some promising results and he’s determined to keep building as he looks towards the future. We caught up with him to discuss his journey so far, the influence of Petrov, life away from home in Belgium, and his ambitions for the coming seasons.
GateDrop: Vencislav, you signed with the AIT Fantic team coming into the 2024 season I believe. How did that deal all come around and how did it feel to secure a ride which meant you could race full time in the EMX125 series?
Toshev: 2024 was my first year with AIT Fantic. At the beginning it was something new and it was a new chapter for me. The first year was all about learning and in the beginning it was tough. I also had two injuries, I broke my wrist and my elbow… It was difficult and then during the season when I was fit, I did some top races in the top 20 and top 15.
GateDrop: You made big improvements this year, did you change much up over the winter and if so, what?
Toshev: I made a good step in the winter, I trained harder, we did some improvements with Petar Petrov. This year was much better, I was going into the races with more expectations of getting good results. I finished fifth in the Dutch Masters, I had a podium at Hawkstone International and some top five results in Europe. I had some good races, the European Championships I finished 15th with some problems and some struggling also… But I did one top five, it’s good and a nice feeling.
GateDrop: You’ve already raced two EMX250 rounds with very little time to prep, Sweden didn’t go to plan but Arnehm was really good. You looked really comfortable there – you must have been happy?
Toshev: I raced already two races in the EMX250 class. Actually, for me it’s a much better bike because I’m also a little bit big for the 125cc. I need more power, I was struggling with this on the 125cc because I’m quite big… I couldn’t start good and for sure when you start good it’s like 90% of the race. In Sweden I was struggling a lot, it was my first race on the hard pack with the 250cc and also not so many training on the hard pack. It was difficult but I was not that far from qualifying, just two tenths off. In Arnhem, I was struggling in free practice and timed practice also. We changed some things, and I did good in the moto’s, in the first moto I finished 16th. I had a good start in the top 15 and finished 16th with a small issue. In the second moto I started last but came back to 20th, so it was good.
GateDrop: How big of an adjustment has it been moving from the 125cc to the 250cc? You are quite a tall guy, so you probably enjoy the 250cc a lot more…
Toshev: Hopefully we do the best we can from the 125cc to the 250cc. It is a big difference for me and especially from the 125cc because you use the power differently. You need to go full gas and high RPM – on the 250cc it’s not like this to ride, you know. I was on the clutch a lot with the 125cc because I was big. I do almost the same with the 250cc which is not so good, but we changed some stuff and it’s now much better.
GateDrop: You’re working under the guidance of Petar Petrov — how important has he been for your development and what’s it like to work with him?
Toshev: I have worked with Petar already for two and a half years. We started in 2023 at the end of the winter. He helps me a lot and I live in his house. He helps me with everything – how to live, how to train, personality, everything. I changed a lot, especially with the bike, he makes me a new person which is something big. I have to say a big thanks to him and also to his wife… They are like my second parents, it’s really nice.
GateDrop: He’s been there and done it also coming from Bulgaria – it must help that he’s been in your situation before?
Toshev: For sure it’s difficult to come from a country like Bulgaria. With the riders and the tracks, it is so much more difficult to come from there. In Belgium they are one step in front and for sure it’s difficult but it’s nice to have someone like Petar to help me. I want to make good results but we will see. I think I ride a little bit like almost the same style as Petar, we are aggressive. He helped me to be like him and be more aggressive and stuff.
GateDrop: You live in Belgium, what is that like? Do you miss being home in Bulgaria?
Toshev: I have lived in Belgium already for two years. I do not miss Bulgaria but I miss my friends and my family for sure.
GateDrop: Your Dad is your mechanic but he you only see him at the GP’s I believe as he goes back to Bulgaria in between – is that tough?
Toshev: My Dad was my mechanic this year. He was coming to every GP from Bulgaria to be my mechanic. Every time he wants the best for me and sometimes it’s not so nice, you know, when we are screaming and stuff which I don’t like. Next year there will be a change, he will only come when he wants to watch me race. For me it doesn’t matter, he can come when suits him the best, it will be nice for my family to come to watch me, this is for the best.
GateDrop: Bulgaria doesn’t have many riders at this level — do you feel a sense of pride representing your country in EMX?
Toshev: Bulgaria doesn’t have the riders. We have had overall like a maximum of four or five good riders. It’s me, Petrov, Ivanov, you know him for sure, he was good, there was another Petrov (Ivan). He was also quite good. For sure, Petar is the best, he made two podiums in the MX2 World Championship which is really good. I would like to have more than him in the future for sure (laughs).
GateDrop: What are your plans for this winter? I am sure you are looking forward to putting plenty of laps in on the 250cc?
Toshev: My plan for the 250cc next year is to work hard, much harder. I want to do good in 2026 with big step… Even bigger than this year. I think the 250cc is better for me and we see for 2026.
GateDrop: What are your plans for the 2026 season or is it no comment for now?
Toshev: The plan for now is to stay with AIT Fantic. For me it will be good, they are like my family and t’s really good. I think for me my goal at the beginning of the season is to be around the top 12 to 8 and then to make some good results in the top 5. I will give my best for it.
