Feb 2026 - The World Stage Awaits!

Saying goodbye to my family is always a bittersweet moment, but this time, the sting didn't last long. Why? Because it is officially time to kick off the new season—and I don’t think I’ve ever been this fired up!

We are stepping up to the World Championship. This is an opportunity unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, and I am more than ready to take it and run with it. The last time I was out with the Pons Racing Team, we capped off the final round of the ESPK down in Jerez with an incredibly strong weekend. Now, it's time to take that momentum and step onto the world stage together on a brand-new Kawasaki ZX6R.

To get ready, we scheduled a crucial two-day test on February 4th and 5th down in Guadix, Spain.I touched down on Monday, squeezed in a killer kart track training session on Tuesday, and then headed down for the main event. The forecast was looking grim—calling for a very wet two days—but rain or shine, we needed seat time to shake down this new beast.

Things kicked off with a hilarious twist. The moment we arrived at Guadix, the team truck sank straight into the wet sand! We literally had to call in a tractor just to haul us out of the circuit parking lot. It was a chaotic and pretty funny way to start the trip, but once we were out, it was all business. The team tore the bike down, prepped it for the test, and after a great dinner, we were ready to attack Thursday.

Thursday morning was a total washout. We had to sit on our hands all day until about 3:00 PM, when we finally got a brief two-hour window to ride. Two hours might not sound like much, but let me tell you: it was all I needed. I felt unbelievable on the bike in the wet. The comfort was instant. From lap one, my confidence was through the roof, and the energy in the garage was electric.

Friday brought more rain, which we expected, so we geared up and went right back out. The results were immediate:

• Massive Time Drops: We slashed tons of time off our laps right out of the gate in the first two sessions.
• Relentless Laps: We hammered through eight total sessions, racking up vital mileage.
• Total Confidence: I genuinely can’t explain how dialed in the bike felt, even though the track never dried up.

I’m confident we left a very strong impression on the Kawasaki representatives in attendance. The fire is lit, the bike feels incredible, and I'm feeling better than ever as I head into RIDERS FORMATION to continue our season prep. 

Now that I’m back, it’s time to really put my head down and start the relentless preparation for the season. This means four days a week on the bike and a strict five days a week of intense physical training.

I’ve been logging massive hours in the saddle, racking up just under **800 km of cycling this month** alongside a staggering **7,500 meters of elevation**. Before Valentin headed out to Thailand, we crushed a brutal 113 km ride with 1,200 meters of climbing. I’m pretty sure that grueling ride is exactly why he scored a podium last weekend—lol! But in all seriousness, having a day-to-day training partner like Valentin is a game-changer. We push each other to our absolute limits, constantly leveling up in every single aspect. I am incredibly grateful for that dynamic.

Honestly, cycling has become my ultimate form of physical prep. I love the quiet headspace it gives me, the pure suffering I can put into my legs, and that unbeatable feeling of accomplishment when a massive ride is done. Plus, there's nothing quite like zipping up some solid cold-weather gear and taking in the epic mountain views here in Spain.

Along with crushing the pedals and pounding the pavement, I’ve been hitting the gym hard. Whether it’s loading up on hack squats or grinding through weighted leg raises, building the raw strength needed to muscle around this bigger bike is a top priority.

Here at RIDERS FORMATION, our track schedule is locked in to guarantee we get better every single day:

* **Two days a week on the 600s**
* **Two days a week on the Kayos**

We run tons of highly technical cone drills on both bikes. This lower-speed, hyper-focused work is phenomenal for tying the weight training directly to the bike, helping my body manage the weight transfer perfectly side-to-side. It’s the perfect environment to test new techniques and push boundaries safely.

Amidst all the sweat and gasoline, I’m still a student-athlete! I’ve been staying completely on top of my schoolwork, and since this is my **senior year**, I am officially done after this semester!

It's not *all* work, though. You have to recharge to perform at your best. Dani has been awesome, taking Afonso and me out to catch a few movies at the theater, and we’ve shared some incredible dinners together. The vibes are high, the work is getting done, and the season can't come fast enough!

Now that March has officially arrived, it’s time to snap all the puzzle pieces into place and kick off this season with a bang. I have just a couple more weeks of grinding it out here before we pack up and head to Portimão for Round 1!

To say I’m "excited" wouldn't even begin to cover it—honestly, there isn't a word in the dictionary big enough for what I’m feeling right now. I feel sharper, stronger, and more prepared than ever before. The physical work is done, the mindset is locked in, and I am absolutely ready to let the clutch out and race.

Thank you all so much for the relentless support you've shown me. It means the world, and I can't wait to go out there and make you guys proud at Round 1. We still have room in the fan club so head over or click here to get signed up...Let’s do this!