NEWS: EMX250 Preview – Ones to watch!

The 2023 EMX 250 series starts this weekend in the deep sands of Riola Sardo, Sardegna. With last years top four in the series all moving on to the MX2 World Championship, the series is opened to some top up coming talent. With some former EMX 125 past champions as well as some kids moving back down from a good run at the MX2 championship in 2022, there should be some great racing. The 11 race series starting in Sardegna, Italy will travel all over the European circuits eventually ending at the MXGP of Great Brittain at the always great Matterley Basin. Let’s take a look into some of the top talent competing in this years championship.

Finishing in 5th overall in the championship in 2022, Bud Racing Kawasaki’s Quentin Marc Prugnieres looks to be one of the top contenders coming into the year. Having a very successful year last year, also traveling over to the USA with some very impressive results, theres no reason the Frenchman shouldn’t be at the top of the podium for much of the season. Alongside of him, will be a young rookie, Benjamin Garib from Chile, who has spent much time over in the USA the past couple years. Garib could be a real wild card in the series with some impressive results in the French championship already this year. The Bud Racing Kawasaki team has quite the impressive lineup and could be holding the red plate at the end of the year.

Another rider that is looking to add the 2023 EMX 250 championship to his already impressive resume is Hutten Metaal Yamaha’s Andrea Bonacorsi. The tall Italian heads into his 3rd year as an EMX250 rider. The 2020 EMX 125 champion has earned 4th and 6th in his first two attempts and has his eyes set on this years crown. Don’t be surprised to see the number 32 out at the front of the pack. Also joining him for the year is rookie Karlis Alberts Reisulis. Coming off a 2nd place in the 2022 EMX 125 championship, the Latvian could be in the front of the pack. Another rookie stepping up the Yamaha 250 this year is the young Dutchman Ivano Van Erp who finished 5th in the 2022 EMX 125 championship. Look out for the always strong Hutten Metaal Yamaha team to be on the hunt for their 3rd championship in 4 years.

BT Racing Husqvarna has a really solid line up for this year. Frenchman Maxime Grau heads into another year on the team and another year in the EMX 250 class. After finishing 17th in the European championship in 2022, Grau could come in a bit under the radar and put up some solid results. Belgian Wesly Dieudonne has a solid team behind him and also looks to impress this year. The big news for BT Racing Husqvarna was young Dutchman Kay Karssemakers being a late addition to the team after his previous team folded up before the start of the year leaving Kay with no ride. Karssemakers had quite an impressive 2022 season with showing some major promise in the MX2 and British championships. No doubt, Karssemakers should be one of the riders to watch for and might even end up as the 2023 champion.

2022 EMX 125 Champion, Cas Valk, headlines the Fantic Racing Mx Team Maddii squad. Valk had an impressive 2022 season and could be a serious threat for the title. Fantic looks to be riding the 250 2stroke with both, Valk and his teammate Alexis Fueri. Fantic Racing Mx Team Maddii are one of the few to ride the 2strokes in the EMX250 class, which has proven to be capable of winning by earning the 2021 EMX250 championship.

Meico Vettik, Federico Tuani, Valerio Lata and many more also look to attack the first race of the season and make a mark that they could be the next European champion. This series is always super entertaining and this year looks to be no different. Make sure to catch the action all year starting this weekend in Riola Sardo.

Words: Robby Renner