The first EMX250 race of the Swiss round in Frauenfeld delivered plenty of action and raised the stakes once again for the championship. Words: MXGP
At the start, RFME Spain National Team’s Salvador Pérez went down in the first turn and appeared injured, struggling to return to his bike. Although he eventually remounted, he was unable to continue and recorded a DNF, putting a stop to his hopes for a strong result in Switzerland. The Holeshot went to August Frisk as he sped away with the lead.
Behind Frisk, Team VHR VRT Yamaha Official’s Janis Reisulis, the current red plate holder, slotted into second but began experiencing mechanical issues just a few laps into the race. Smoke coming from his Yamaha signalled trouble, and midway through the moto, his bike gave out completely. With Reisulis out, Swiss rider Nico Greutmann, racing for Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna, stepped up into second place to the delight of the home fans.
Venum BUD Racing Kawasaki’s Francisco Garcia made an impressive charge after a tip-over mid-moto. The Spaniard quickly regrouped and worked his way back into the top three, eventually reclaiming third place from Simone Mancini of Fantic Factory Racing EMX125, who crossed the line in fourth. JM Honda Racing’s Noel Zanocz also had a strong comeback, rising from outside the top ten to finish fifth. With Reisulis not scoring, Zanocz joined him at the top of the championship standings after that race.
Further back, Adria Monne from RFME Spain National Team held sixth ahead of Venum BUD Racing Kawasaki’s Jake Cannon, with consistent laps helping both riders secure solid points. KTM Kosak Team’s Bradley Mesters, William Askew and Ghidinelli Racing Team Alexis Fueri completed the top ten. Fueri had to battle hard in the final laps to hold off Gyan Doensen from GABRIEL SS24 KTM FACTORY JUNIOR. Both riders exchanged positions several times before locking down 10th place for Fueri and 11th for Doensen.
Meanwhile, Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna’s Liam Owens had shown early promise and was running inside the top five before a mistake dropped him out of contention. Frisk claimed a well-earned and career-first race victory in EMX250, putting together a calm and calculated ride from the front. The Swedish rider took the holeshot and kept his cool lap after lap, gradually building a gap that no one could close.
Just like in Race 1, Frisk timed the gate perfectly and snatched the holeshot to lead from the very first corner. Behind him, Gabriel SS24 KTM Factory Junior’s William Askew moved into second, followed by Garcia in third. But the opening lap chaos caught out Cannon, who had made a strong start but went down early and had to remount from the back of the pack.
Zanocz wasted no time making moves, gaining ground to fifth on the opening lap, with teammate Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna’s Liam Owens just behind in sixth. Meanwhile, Saturday’s DNF rider Reisulis was buried deeper in the pack but began steadily picking his way forward.
As Frisk started to stretch a gap at the front, the battle behind him quickly intensified. Garcia, Askew, Zanocz, and Reisulis were all bunched up and eyeing both podium points and championship position. By lap five, Frisk was sitting comfortably, but the rest of the standings were incredibly tight — four riders were within a point of each other in the overall.
Garcia put in a brilliant effort to first close on Askew and then make a move for second. That pass would prove crucial for both the race and the overall standings. Just behind, Reisulis and Zanocz were locked in a duel, knowing full well that every point could swing the red plate in their favour. The Latvian eventually found a way past Zanocz and then Askew, moving into third place by lap 9.
Swiss rider Greutmann was on the charge too, battling with Mancini and later sneaking past Owens into sixth by the chequered flag — just enough to secure his first career podium in front of a thrilled home crowd.
Further down the top ten, Monne, 8th and Doensen 9th, all delivered solid rides, while Askew slipped a couple of spots late in the race to finish 5th. Garcia’s little scare on lap 6 nearly cost him, but he recovered quickly to hold off both Zanocz and Reisulis in the final stages.
At the front, Frisk remained untouched, managing a late scare with backmarkers and still crossing the line with a comfortable gap. His lights-to-flag win marked a perfect weekend: 1-1 and 50 points, a major milestone for the Swedish rider.
Image: Cat Moto
