Francisco Garcia on making the move to the EMX250 series in 2023
One rider that went under the radar in 2022 was young Spanish talent, Francisco Garcia nicknamed “Carbonero”, who spent the year with the RFME GasGas team who do a good job developing young Spanish riders for the future.
Garcia did race the second half of the 2021 EMX125 series but 2022 was his first full year in the class and he impressed finishing tenth in the championship despite some inconsistent results but that is always expected during a rookie season.
Garcia tells us he was happy with his 2022 season and was quick to remind us of his pole position at the Junior World Championship – he has speed.
“Yes, it has been a good season with some good and some bad races, but I had good bikes and then I was able to take pole position at the Junior World Championship. It was very good, I felt good with everything and very comfortable”, Garcia told GateDrop.com.
A lot of riders in Garcia’s position might have stayed in the EMX125 class for another season as at 14 years old he still has plenty of time on his side and could have challenged for the title in 2023. However, Garcia has other ideas as he decided to move up to the EMX250 class for the 2023 season.
“The reason I decided to make the move to the EMX250 class is because I think it would be a backwards step continuing on the 125cc so I would prefer to do well and better on the 250cc. So far everything is going very well in general and I am really looking forward to 2023”, explained Garcia.
2023 will be all change for Garcia as his base won’t be in Spain anymore after inking a deal with a Dutch based team, SB KTM Racing. Garcia has already been putting plenty of laps in on his 250cc to adapt to the bike and improve in the sandy conditions.
The SB KTM team were a new team in the paddock this year but after signing Yago Martinez after the season started already got good results in the EMX250 series. The team will be hoping that Garcia can enjoy a rookie season in the EMX250 series.
“I have had a great time living with the SB KTM team and everything is a different change but I have adapted quickly and very good”, says Garcia.
In terms of the future, like a number of young riders in the European paddock, Garcia dreams of being able to make a new of himself in the GP paddock to make the move to America in the future. No doubt racing in front of packed crowds in stadiums and the American lifestyle plays it’s part.
“I have a lot of motivation for the future, I really want and I would like to fight for the EMX250 championship in future. Long-term, I would love to go to America with the Red Bull KTM team”, concluded Garcia.
Interview: Andy McKinstry
