Joe Brookes continued his impressive EMX250 campaign with a superb second overall at Uddevalla, taking another European Championship podium as Francisco Garcia claimed a perfect 1-1 victory at the Swedish Grand Prix.
Images courtesy of Infront Moto Racing
The British racer put together two strong rides at Glimminge Motorstadion, battling at the sharp end throughout the weekend and eventually tying Francesco Bellei on 38 points. Brookes’ better second-race result gave him the runner-up spot overall.
Garcia returned to action after missing the previous round through a knee injury and immediately reasserted himself at the front of the championship, but Brookes was right in the thick of the fight behind him.
Brookes battles at the sharp end
In Saturday’s opening EMX250 encounter, Garcia quickly established himself at the front ahead of Bellei and Nicolò Alvisi.
Brookes was immediately on the move, passing Alvisi for third before the end of the opening lap and settling into the battle for the podium positions.
The Brit spent much of the race trying to find a way past Bellei for second, but with the leading riders using similar lines around the Swedish circuit, passing opportunities were difficult to create.
Late in the race, Nicolai Skovbjerg charged through the pack and passed Brookes for third before also finding his way past Bellei. Garcia ultimately took the victory from Skovbjerg and Bellei, leaving Brookes fourth at the flag.
Brookes explained:
“It was really good. In the first race I was third and trying to have a go at second, and it was difficult out there. We were doing the same lines and I couldn’t find anything different to make the pass, and then in the last lap or two I got passed for fourth.”
Second place puts Brookes on the box.
Brookes came out firing in race two.
Jake Cannon grabbed the start ahead of his Venum BUD Racing Kawasaki teammate Garcia, but Garcia moved into the lead on the opening lap and quickly began to establish an advantage.
Behind him, Brookes wasted little time making his move. He passed Cannon before the end of lap one to take second and then held the position for the next ten laps.
Cannon continued to apply pressure and, after several attempts, eventually found a way past Brookes on lap 12. Garcia was already clear at the front and completed his perfect weekend with another victory, while Cannon crossed the line second and Brookes took a strong third.
With 4-3 finishes, Brookes ended the weekend on 38 points, tied with Bellei’s 3-4 scorecard. The Brit’s stronger second race gave him second overall, securing another EMX250 podium.
“The second race was good. It tightened up and I got a bit of arm pump in that one. But overall I’m super happy to get on the podium again and to keep it rolling for the last two rounds.”
Garcia’s 1-1 performance delivered his sixth overall victory of the season and moved the Spaniard 87 points clear of Skovbjerg with two rounds and 100 points still available.
“I didn’t expect anything. I only expected to come here and take some points, but I was so good at the start. I took two good starts and after that I took the lead and just rode on my own. I don’t know how many points I have now, but we go to Arnhem with a good gap, so we will see about the championship there. I am happy with all my team and with my family, who support me in the bad moments. Thank you to everyone.”
Billy Askew went 18-12 for 16th overall.
EMX250 Overall Results
Bauer seals the EMX125 European Championship
There was championship glory in EMX125 as Ricardo Bauer wrapped up the 2026 EMX125 European Championship Presented by FMF Racing with a round to spare.
The Austrian produced a faultless 1-1 performance in Sweden for his third consecutive overall victory and fifth of the season, leaving him 62 points clear of Norman KTM Factory Rookies teammate Moritz Ernecker with only the final round in Türkiye remaining.
Bauer took control of race one from Liam Bruneau before going on to claim the victory, then delivered again with the championship on the line in race two. He led all 14 laps to secure his eighth race victory of the season and, more importantly, the European title.
Sleny Goyer and Gennaro Utech completed the overall podium behind Bauer.
The European crown adds another major title to a remarkable season for Bauer, who has also won the FIM 125cc Junior World Championship in 2026. It is his second European title after previously taking the EMX65 crown in 2022.
An emotional Bauer said:
“I have no words for this. I want to thank my team, my sponsors, my trainer, my dad and my whole family, who have been around and helped me to achieve this. We had a tough season coming into it, but now we have managed to get the Junior World Championship and the European Championship title, so I’m really happy. We have had so many back-to-back wins and so many good races in a row. I’m happy to be number one now. Thanks to everyone.”
It was a tough weekend for the British riders, with only Hayden Statt and Bryan Gyles qualifying, with Statt finishing 18th overall and Gyles 23rd.
EMX125 – Overall
