Jake Cannon and Team Venum Bud Racing Kawasaki Take on the U.S. Supercross Scene.
At the beginning of January, Team Venum Bud Racing Kawasaki set off for the United States, specifically California, for an exciting new challenge. The team’s latest recruit, 17-year-old Australian Jake Cannon, was given a two-year contract and the unique opportunity to experience American Supercross for the first time. With only one season of Australian Supercross under his belt in the SX3 category, Jake embarked on an intense three-week preparation period ahead of his highly anticipated debut at the Glendale Supercross on February 1st.
A Promising Start in Glendale
The young rider arrived at one of the world’s top 10 stadiums, ready to take on the biggest track of the U.S. Supercross calendar. Despite his lack of experience in the discipline, Jake made an impressive impact from the start. He placed 5th in the timed practice sessions and secured 3rd place in the second session, finishing less than half a second off the pole position. His performance demonstrated both his raw speed and ambition to compete against the best young riders in the sport.
A Tough Break in the Final
With only one 8-minute final to prove himself, everything was on the line. Unfortunately, just 10 meters from the starting line, Jake got tangled up with another rider. His handlebar became stuck in his competitor’s wheel, causing a crash that broke his throttle tube. This mechanical issue prevented him from continuing the race and showcasing his true potential.
Despite the disappointment, the experience was invaluable. Competing against American Supercross specialists, who have been training in the discipline since childhood, was a major learning opportunity for Jake. His speed and skills were evident, proving that he has what it takes to compete at a high level in the future.
Looking Ahead to the Future
With their U.S. trip concluded, Team Venum Bud Racing Kawasaki has now returned to France, shifting their focus to the Enduropale du Touquet, where Francisco Garcia, the team’s new Spanish recruit, will compete in the Junior category. After that, the team will head straight into the French Elite Motocross Championship opening round the following weekend.
However, the idea of returning to the U.S. in 2025 remains very much on the table. Team manager Stéphane Dassé is determined to continue exposing young talents to the American Supercross scene, helping them gain experience and understand what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
What They Said
Stéphane Dassé (Team Manager):
“Even though it’s frustrating that Jake couldn’t show his full potential in the race, I’m really happy with him, his attitude, and his performance on Saturday. My goal is to keep bringing young riders to the U.S., especially in Supercross, to broaden their horizons beyond MXGP. If they dream of making it in America, they need to start Supercross at a young age—this is what I try to teach them.”
Jake Cannon:
“What an experience this was for me. I arrived on January 10th, not knowing the team, but I immediately felt at home. I’ve learned so much and truly enjoyed the experience, but I’m very disappointed that I couldn’t finish the race. This only makes me even more eager to come back, but for now, my full focus is on my European season.”
Despite the setback, Jake Cannon’s U.S. adventure has undoubtedly been a step forward in his promising career. With a strong mindset and undeniable speed, he’s set to make waves in the European motocross scene—and perhaps, one day, in the U.S. supercross championship.
