Roberto Garcia and the GMT94 Yamaha team clinch victory at Magny-Cours in WorldSSP

The GMT94 Yamaha team were racing on home soil at the Magny-Cours circuit for the ninth round of the World Supersport Championship. It was a particularly successful weekend for the French team, highlighted by Roberto Garcia’s first-ever victory in WorldSSP.

Roberto Garcia claims his first WorldSSP victory

Following some very strong test sessions on this very circuit a few weeks earlier, Roberto Garcia arrived at Magny-Cours aiming to be among the frontrunners on his Yamaha R9.

The 20-year-old Spanish rider made his mark as early as Friday during free practice, before confirming his excellent pace by setting the fourth-fastest time in qualifying.

In Race 1, the number 37 rider got off to a flying start and immediately found himself in the leading group. Battling it out for several laps with his main rivals, the 2024 European Moto2 Champion proved particularly incisive on his Yamaha R9.

Determined to finish on the podium, Roberto found himself battling it out with Can Öncü for victory towards the end of the race. After a superb duel, the GMT94 rider finally crossed the finish line in second place, securing his best result to date in the World Supersport Championship.

But Roberto Garcia was hungry for more.

Starting from eighth on the grid in Race 2, the Spaniard once again got off to an excellent start and quickly rejoined the front-runners. Just as he was in a position to fight for another podium finish, a red flag brought the race to a halt.

At the restart, it was back to square one, with only five laps remaining.

Roberto immediately joined the battle for victory and was right on the leader’s tail as they entered the final lap. Still in second place with just a few corners to go, the number 37 rider remained on the lookout for the slightest opportunity.

In the penultimate corner, the leader was forced to swerve off after a difficult braking manoeuvre. Roberto Garcia seized his chance immediately and sped to victory!

The young Spaniard thus secured his very first victory in the Supersport World Championship. It was also a historic success for GMT94 Yamaha with the Yamaha R9, achieved in France, on home soil, in front of his home crowd.

Lucas Mahias delights the French crowd

For his part, Lucas Mahias was also determined to shine in front of his home crowd. The 2017 Supersport World Champion showed his pace right from Friday, securing a front-row spot on the grid.

In Race 1, the Frenchman once again produced one of those starts that are his speciality. Right from the first corner, number 94 took the lead and even managed to open up a small gap over his pursuers.

Leading for several laps, Lucas had the large crowd at Magny-Cours on the edge of their seats. On pace to challenge for a podium finish throughout the race, he eventually crossed the finish line in an impressive fourth place, just off the podium.

For Race 2, Lucas had to start from eleventh position this time. Thanks to another excellent start, he made up several places and quickly rejoined the battle. However, hampered by a rival, the Frenchman was unable to fully realise his potential before the red flag brought the race to a halt.

At the ‘restart’, contested over just five laps, number 94 got off to another excellent start. Despite a pace close to that of the leaders, traffic prevented him from moving up the field as much as he would have liked.

Lucas Mahias eventually finished tenth and scored valuable points for GMT94 Yamaha.

Thanks to the performances of its two riders, the French team has moved up to third place in the World Team Championship standings.

Lucas is now looking ahead to the next round in Cremona, Italy, on a track where he has often performed well in the past.

Mathieu Gines, a home wild card

This weekend, Mathieu Gines also took part in the French round of the World Championship as a wild card.

On the Nièvre circuit, the 2026 French Supersport Champion could count on the support of his team, as well as the FFM and GMT94.

True to form, the French rider gave it his all on his Yamaha R9 throughout the weekend. This appearance in the World Championship is a fitting tribute to his impressive list of achievements and his long racing career.

Amaury Mizera makes his World Sportbike debut

In the Sportbike class, Amaury Mizera was also awarded a wildcard for the Magny-Cours round.

Following some very promising test sessions a few weeks earlier at the French circuit, the 19-year-old rider was hoping to make the most of this weekend to continue learning and improving on his Yamaha.

Unfortunately, a crash following a collision in Race 1 prevented him from fully demonstrating his potential. Having sustained an injury, Amaury was forced to bring his weekend to a premature end.

The entire GMT94 team wishes him a speedy recovery and hopes to see him back on track very soon.

Also worth noting was the presence of Lucie Boudesseul, who is still recovering, and who came to Magny-Cours to meet up with her supporters and spend time with them.

The French rider also took advantage of this home race to announce her participation in the Women’s World Championship in 2027, with the aim of returning to the front of the field and securing further podium finishes.

The GMT94 Yamaha team thus leaves Magny-Cours with a historic maiden victory for Roberto Garcia, valuable championship points and, above all, a weekend full of excitement in front of their French home crowd.

Next stop: Cremona, in Italy, to build on this momentum!