With a GP victory at the final round of the season in Cózar, Spain, Fantic Factory Racing EMX125’s Noel Zanocz capped off a remarkable year, claiming the European Championship title aboard his Fantic XX 125. His teammate Simone Mancini finished third on the day and secured the bronze medal, and Fantic also triumphed in the manufacturers’ standings, making it a perfect season for the Italian brand.
Noel Zanocz launched his 2024 EMX125 campaign in spectacular fashion, securing his first-ever moto and overall victory in the challenging sands of Riola Sardo, Sardinia. With blistering speed and a relentless fighting spirit, he quickly established himself as a dominant force in the class, maintaining the championship leader’s red plate on his Fantic XX 125 for most of the season.
Zanocz claimed a second GP victory in Latvia and consistently delivered strong performances in any conditions, adding four more podium finishes in Portugal, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Heading into the final round at the MXGP of Castilla La Mancha just six points behind his championship contender, the 17-year-old Hungarian took the lead in the virtual standings with a stunning victory in race 1 on Saturday. Crossing the finish line in second in race 2, he clinched the title like a true champion, also securing the GP win.
With Fantic claiming the EMX125 manufacturers’ title, the XX 125 took it all in the 2024 season. Earlier in the year, Zanocz had already made history by winning the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship in Heerde, Netherlands, edging out his teammate Simone Mancini, who earned the silver medal. Mancini finished third in the final EMX125 standings and also claimed the 125 Rookies Cup, held alongside the Italian Motocross Prestige Championship.
Zanocz’s EMX125 title marks the third for Fantic in the class since the beginning of the “New Racing Era” in 2019, following in the footsteps of Andrea Bonacorsi in 2020 and Cas Valk in 2022.
Noel Zanocz:
“It wasn’t easy at all; I struggled in time practice and finished eighth. My start was still good in the first moto. I was in second and took over first place on the first lap, leading the whole moto. It was a really good one, and I reclaimed the lead in the championship. In race 2, I was around sixth at the beginning. I made my way up to second, lost a position, but regained it. It was a tough moto, but in the end, I won the championship, and I couldn’t be happier. I want to thank everyone, from my team and Fantic to my family and all the supporters. Hungary has never had a World or European champion before. This season, I proved that you can achieve anything, even if you come from a small country – you just need to believe in yourself.”
