Feature Story
Across the Pond with Bud Racing Kawasaki
EMX250 Standouts Francisco Garcia and Jake Cannon to Take on Southwick National
The 2026 EMX250 World Championship season has already put Bud Racing Kawasaki teammates Francisco Garcia and Jake Cannon on the radar, but this weekend presents a chance to see how that success translates beyond MXGP. With the MXGP tour coming to a pause for the scheduled season break, the duo has been preparing to line up against the world’s most competitive 250 class riders with a one-off appearance at the AMA Pro Motocross Southwick National. While the race itself is a unique experience, its significance stretches far beyond a single weekend. For two riders continuing to build their careers, Southwick serves as another milestone that rewards the progress they've made so far, while also offering valuable experience against a completely different field of competition.
Although they arrive at Southwick with different experiences, both riders view the weekend as an important moment in their development. Garcia has established himself as one of the standout performers in EMX250 this year, and the opportunity to race in the United States is something he has envisioned for years. “I was really happy when I was told we’d be going to Southwick, because racing in the US in Pro Motocross is a dream of mine,” Garcia said. “It's actually quite significant, because I think that if I do well, I might have a chance to come and race in the USA in the future.” Rather than allowing that possibility to create additional pressure, Garcia plans to approach the weekend with the same confidence that has fueled his success throughout the season. “I just want to bring out the best version of myself. I don't have anything to prove to anyone, and I just want to really enjoy it,” he explained. “I'm very confident and know what I'm capable of, so I'll show them just how fast European riders are in the sand.”
For Cannon, the trip carries a different kind of motivation. His first opportunity to race in the United States ended almost immediately after a first-turn crash in the SMX Next Main Event at the 2025 Glendale Supercross, where his race ended early due to a mechanical error. This marks the Southwick National as a chance to return with unfinished business. “I was kind of in shock when they first told me we were going, because the last time I got to race in the USA it was cut short with a crash in Glendale,” Cannon said. "For them to give me another opportunity to show what I can do is amazing." After enjoying a breakout season in EMX250, Cannon believes the experience will be valuable regardless of the result, giving him the opportunity to compare himself against riders he has watched for years while continuing to grow as a competitor. “I've been watching these guys since I was little, and to get a chance to race against them is a good opportunity to see where I'm at as a rider and where my speed's at,” Cannon said. “Being an EMX250 rider, it's always good to race against the factory guys, not only to see the speed but to learn from their race craft and hopefully pick a few things up through the weekend.” His confidence comes not only from the progress he has made this season, but also from the environment Bud Racing Kawasaki has created. “Bud Racing has a really great program in place, which is a main reason why our season is going so well at the moment,” Cannon added. “The previous riders that they’ve had show how the structure of the team has built them up to be champions.”
Despite approaching the weekend from different perspectives, Garcia and Cannon share the same objective: to leave Southwick as better riders than when they arrived. Garcia hopes to gain experience that could benefit him both in Europe and in any future opportunities that may come his way, while Cannon is determined to make the most of a second chance and leave with no regrets. Neither rider is placing unnecessary expectations on the weekend, choosing instead to embrace the challenge, learn from one of the world’s most competitive fields, and continue building on the momentum they've created throughout their 2026 season. Whether the outcome is measured by the results sheet or the lessons learned, Southwick represents another important step forward for two riders whose careers continue to trend in the right direction.
