Image: Supplied.

Bud Racing has confirmed that Australian Liam Owens will fill-in for team rider Benjamin Garib at the EMX250 rounds in Portugal and Spain.

Owens, 15, is currently fourth in the Australian MX3 Championship standings, and had to make a quick decision after receiving the call-up to venture overseas.

“I woke up in the morning [Sunday] in Australia and we had 12 hours to decide whether we were going on a plane or not,” Owens said. “Here we are, very happy, these bikes are amazing. The track is quite good, quite technical and has really good options. It should be a really good experience and I’m really looking forward to the weekend.”

Owens previously rode an FC 250 in Australia with support from the Raceline Husqvarna Berry Sweet Racing team, but decided to mutually part ways with the outfit to take advantage of the emerging international opportunity.

He will compete onboard a KX250 with Bud Racing in the upcoming EMX250 races, with the Portuguese round taking place at Agueda this weekend and the Spanish round to be contested between 6-7 May at intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos.