The 2026 EMX250 Championship gets underway this weekend in Spain, and the series looks set to deliver another thrilling season. The class is once again stacked with young talent from across the globe, many of whom are eager to make their mark on the European stage. One thing is already certain heading into the new campaign – there will be a new champion. Reigning title holder Janis Reisulis has moved up to the MX2 World Championship for 2026, leaving the door wide open for a new rider to take control of the series.
One team entering the new season with stability is the BUD Kawasaki Racing outfit. They continue with the same rider line-up as last year, with Francisco Garcia and Jake Cannon returning for another campaign. Garcia finished third in the championship in 2025 and will have his sights firmly set on the title this time around. With his continued progression and growing confidence, he will be one of the riders to beat. Cannon, meanwhile, finished eighth overall last season during his first year racing in Europe. Now fully familiar with the circuits and competition, the Australian will be looking to take a step forward and establish himself further towards the front.
Gyan Doensen is another rider with unfinished business. Although he claimed podium finishes last season, the year ultimately ended in frustration after injury brought his campaign to a premature end. With another year of experience under his belt, the Dutch rider is expected to be a regular front-runner and cannot be discounted in the fight for the championship.
The Cat Moto Bauerschmidt KTM team also heads into the new season with an impressive line-up. Mads Fredsoe and Liam Owens both know what it takes to run at the sharp end of EMX250 racing, having already secured podium finishes in the class. Both riders will be aiming to challenge for the title in 2026. They will be joined by Francesco Bellei, who begins his rookie campaign in the class. The young Italian has plenty of talent and will be looking to learn as much as possible from his more experienced teammates.
One rider who already knows how to win in EMX250 is August Frisk. His dominant 1-1 performance in Switzerland last year showed just how good he can be, but that dream weekend quickly turned into a nightmare after a season-ending injury. If he can stay healthy throughout 2026, Frisk has the ability to challenge for race wins and potentially the championship itself.
Simone Mancini also demonstrated impressive speed throughout the 2025 season aboard his Fantic machine, but a number of DNFs prevented him from achieving a stronger championship result. The Italian moves to Ducati for the 2026 season, and with his undeniable pace, he will be hoping to finally convert that speed into consistent results and become a genuine title contender.
Nicolò Alvisi arrives in the class with plenty of momentum after securing the 2025 EMX125 title in dramatic fashion at the final round in Lommel. However, his preparation for the new season has not been straightforward after dealing with a wrist injury throughout much of the winter. The Maddii Honda rider did manage to line up at the opening round of the Italian Championship, and despite some off-season challenges, he remains one of the most promising talents for the future.
Mano Faure also steps up to the class after an outstanding year in the 125cc category. Although he narrowly missed out on the EMX125 title, the French rider did claim the 125cc Junior World Championship. Known for his smooth technique and exciting riding style, Faure should adapt quickly to the EMX250 class. His teammate Jarne Bervoets will also be interesting to watch. After appearing slightly oversized for the 125cc category last season, the move to the more powerful 250cc machine could suit him well.
Áron Katona is another rider who has chosen to take on a new challenge. The Hungarian could have remained in the EMX125 class and pushed for the title in 2026, but instead elected to step up to the highly competitive EMX250 division. Katona is widely regarded as one of the most exciting young riders in the paddock, and the Van Venrooy KTM team clearly believe they have secured a major talent for the future.
The JK Yamaha team also have high hopes for Jekabs Kubulins. The Latvian finished sixth in the EMX125 championship last season and already showed impressive pace when he stepped into the EMX250 class at Arnhem. With a full off-season on the two-stroke machine, Kubulins could quickly establish himself as a rider capable of challenging near the front.
Lyonel Reichl enjoyed a strong campaign in 2025 despite suffering a mid-season injury, and he continues with the Sarholz KTM team for the upcoming season. That continuity could prove valuable, and if everything comes together, Reichl should once again be challenging towards the sharp end of the field.
Adria Monne is another rider with podium experience in the class. Backed once again by the Spanish federation for the 2026 season, the support reflects the belief in his talent. Monne will be looking to repay that faith by mounting a serious championship challenge.
Adrien Petit showed strong early-season form last year, even holding the championship red plate during the opening rounds. Unfortunately, injury halted his momentum and ended his title hopes. With a fresh start in 2026, the French rider will be eager to pick up where he left off.
It will also be interesting to follow the progress of Beta as they expand their motocross programme. The manufacturer will field two factory-supported riders this season, with Alexis Fueri and Brando Rispoli joining the brand. Fueri has impressed during the off-season, and working alongside experienced mentor Jacky Vimond could prove to be a valuable partnership.
The MX-Handel Husqvarna team also boasts an exciting line-up. Danish rider Nicolai Skovbjerg enjoyed a strong season last year, though poor starts often limited his results. If he can improve that aspect of his racing, he has the speed to become a regular contender, particularly on sand tracks where he excels. Teammate Sebastian Leok also showed flashes of potential last season and will aim to continue developing alongside Skovbjerg.
Motovation Husqvarna will receive support from Nestaan in 2026, which should strengthen the programme further. The team fields two Dutch rookies in Dean Gregoire and Dani Heitink. Unfortunately, Heitink is an injury doubt after crashing during the Dutch National in Oss, but Gregoire is ready to go and will be eager to make a strong impression in his first EMX250 season.
Max Ernecker heads into his second year in the class with expectations of improvement. The Austrian showed glimpses of his potential during his rookie campaign, and with more experience, there is every reason to believe he can become a consistent top-ten finisher.
Cole McCullough will be looking for a fresh start after an injury-disrupted 2025 season. The Northern Irish rider had shown strong form early in the year, including an EMX125 podium at Riola and a race win at Arco di Trento. For 2026, he joins the De Baets AIT Yamaha team and will compete aboard a two-stroke machine. For McCullough, the focus this season will be on gaining experience and continuing to develop within such a competitive field. The team also have young Bulgarian, Vencislav Toshev who is making the move up from the EMX125 class. He has decided to race a four-stroke and will learn as much as possible this year.
Another EMX250 rookie to watch is Italian youngster Filippo Mantovani, who enjoyed a breakout season in the EMX125 class last year and now takes the next step in his career.
One rider making a major life commitment to chase his dreams is Brazilian talent Bernardo Tiburcio. The young rider has relocated from Brazil to Europe in order to pursue his ambitions in international motocross. He has already shown promising speed during the opening rounds of the Spanish Championship, though the EMX250 series will provide a far greater test. For Tiburcio, the primary objective this year will be to learn, adapt and gain valuable experience. His teammate Salvador Perez also possesses plenty of potential and will be another rider to keep an eye on, balancing his European campaign with racing commitments in Brazil.
Finally, British riders Joe Brookes and Billy Askew will also be hoping to make their mark. Both young talents have shown promise and harbour ambitions of eventually reaching the MX2 World Championship level. For now, their development continues in the highly competitive EMX250 class, where strong performances could help put them firmly on the map.
With so many talented riders entering the season and no defending champion on the gate, the 2026 EMX250 Championship promises to be one of the most competitive and unpredictable in recent years. As the series kicks off in Spain this weekend, the battle to crown the next rising star of European motocross is ready to begin.
