ST JEAN D’ANGELY (France) 23 March 2025 – The iconic hillside of St. Jean d’Angély hosted a spectacular second round of the FIM Europe EMX Championships series, and both EMX250 and EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing classes delivered action-packed weekends that reshaped the title-race narrative.
In EMX250, Team VHR VRT Yamaha Official’s Janis Martins Reisulis dominated both motos with raw speed and technical brilliance, but it was Adrien Petit, the French crowd favorite, who retained the red plate by a single point with back-to-back second-place finishes and a show of true championship consistency. While in EMX125 Presented by FMF, Yamaha Europe EMX125 MJC’s Mano Faure sent the home fans into raptures with a commanding win in Race 1 and the overall.
After overnight rain, the track was just beginning to dry as the gate dropped for Race 1. RFME Spain National Team’s Salvador Perez looked to have nailed the start but ran wide in the first corner, opening the door for Venum BUD Racing Kawasaki’s Jake Cannon to take the early lead.
But the early story was short-lived, Janis Reisulis, showing remarkable composure and aggression, quickly powered past Cannon and assumed control of the race. From there, the Latvian rookie never looked back—executing clean laps and stretching his advantage with every sector.
Further behind, Cannon’s challenge ended in frustration. A crash followed by a technical issue forced him out. Meanwhile, Fantic Factory Racing EMX125’s Simone Mancini and Perez fought for the final podium spot while Adrien Petit, on Yamaha, quietly worked his way through the chaos. It wasn’t the best start for JM Honda Racing’s Noel Zanocz as he turned the first lap in 17th but the solid Hunfgarian
Petit’s patient approach paid off. As mistakes took their toll on rivals, he climbed to second and held the position to the flag, staying close but unable to truly challenge Reisulis. Perez crossed in third, a much-needed result after an underwhelming Cozar.
Incidents were plentiful mid-pack. GABRIEL SS24 KTM Factory Juniors’ Max Werner faded in the final laps, and both his teammate, Gyan Doensen and GHIDINELLI Racing Team’s Brando Rispoli suffered race-defining issues. Bike It Kawasaki’s Bobby Bruce, tagged by another rider, limped to 19th, while others like RFME Spain National Team’s Francisco Garcia didn’t get what they could with their pace finishing 18th. It was a frustrating race spell for podium holder in Cozar Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna’s Mads Fredsoe who made a mistake and finished outside the points in 25 place.
In Race 2, Reisulis once again stormed into the lead, leveraging his now-signature lightning-fast starts. He was followed closely by KTM Sarholz Racing Team’s Leon Rudolph, Mads Fredsoe, and JM Honda Racing’s Noel Zanocz, while red plate holder Petit settled into sixth.
Rudolph’s mistake on the hill before pitlane opened the door for Zanocz, who slipped into third, then shortly after into second. Petit continued his quiet progression, capitalising on another Rudolph error on lap 4 out of 15 to go third. Rudolph faded to eighth.
Doensen and Mancini ran sixth and seventh at that point, but it was Petit who stole the spotlight. By lap 5, he caught Zanocz and overtook him to move into second. Still, Reisulis was 14 seconds ahead. Petit charged hard, shaving the gap to just 2 seconds by lap 14—but the Latvian held firm to take a wire-to-wire win and sweep the weekend.
Meanwhile, Garcia stormed through the field from 13th to 4th in a sensational comeback, passing Fredsoe and Doensen along the way. The Spaniard, who scored zero points in Race 1, proved he belongs among the front runners.
Fredsoe finished fifth, Doensen sixth, and Bauerschmidt Husqvarna’s Lyonel Reichl took seventh. Rispoli, Cannon, and Wozniak MX Racing Team’s Nicolai Skovbjerg rounded out the top 10 while Mancini’s day ended early.
From Cozar to St. Jean d’Angély, Adrien Petit has ridden with maturity and consistency. Despite being outpaced twice by Reisulis in France, his 2-2 finishes gave him 44 points for the weekend—and more importantly, allowed him to retain the red plate by just 1 point.
Janis Reisulis proved at the round of Europe that he’s no longer a newcomer—he’s a genuine title threat. But Adrien Petit’s resilience and consistent podiums show why he still holds the red plate. Meanwhile, riders like Zanocz, Garcia, and Fredsoe are finding their form, and the championship is now anyone’s to win.
Janis Reisulis: “This victory means a lot more for me that me other wins because I didn’t really have the chance to rider last year with my injury. The year felt very long. But then following my pre-season, I was really ready to race. Here the track was really hard with many ruts. I kept my cool as Adrien (Petit) was riding super well too. Again I really want to say a big thanks to everyone supporting me. To my team, my sponsors, my family. Also to my trainer for getting my head sorted before the races”
Main Photo: Janis Reisulis
Top Photo: EMX250 Start
Bottom Photos: 1. EMX250 Podium 2. Adrien Petit
EMX250 – Race 1 - Top 10 Classification: 1. Janis Martins Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), 29:48.162; 2. Adrien Petit (FRA, Yamaha), +0:03.577; 3. Salvador Perez (ESP, GASGAS), +0:20.547; 4. Simone Mancini (ITA, Fantic), +0:33.792; 5. Noel Zanocz (HUN, Honda), +0:53.632; 6. Ivano Van Erp (NED, Yamaha), +0:58.088; 7. Lyonel Reichl (LIE, Husqvarna), +0:59.030; 8. Nico Greutmann (SUI, Husqvarna), +1:03.718; 9. William Askew (GBR, Triumph), +1:06.710; 10. Adria Monne (ESP, GASGAS), +1:08.026;
EMX250 – Race 2 - Top 10 Classification: 1. Janis Martins Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), 30:19.050; 2. Adrien Petit (FRA, Yamaha), +0:01.204; 3. Noel Zanocz (HUN, Honda), +0:34.652; 4. Francisco Garcia (ESP, Kawasaki), +0:52.742; 5. Mads Fredsoe (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:56.664; 6. Gyan Doensen (NED, KTM), +1:07.188; 7. Lyonel Reichl (LIE, Husqvarna), +1:11.622; 8. Brando Rispoli (ITA, KTM), +1:15.384; 9. Jake Cannon (AUS, Kawasaki), +1:18.051; 10. Nicolai Skovbjerg (DEN, Yamaha), +1:24.514
EMX250 Overall - Top 10: 1. Janis Martins Reisulis (LAT, YAM), 50 points; 2. Adrien Petit (FRA, YAM), 44 p.; 3. Noel Zanocz (HUN, HON), 36 p.; 4. Lyonel Reichl (LIE, HUS), 28 p.; 5. Francisco Garcia (ESP, KAW), 21 p.; 6. Nicolai Skovbjerg (DEN, YAM), 21 p.; 7. Salvador Perez (ESP, GAS), 20 p.; 8. Simone Mancini (ITA, FAN), 18 p.; 9. Mads Fredsoe (DEN, HUS), 16 p.; 10. Gyan Doensen (NED, KTM), 15 p.
EMX250 Championship - Top 10 Classification: 1. Adrien Petit (FRA, YAM), 85 points; 2. Janis Martins Reisulis (LAT, YAM), 84 p.; 3. Noel Zanocz (HUN, HON), 74 p.; 4. Mads Fredsoe (DEN, HUS), 51 p.; 5. Nicolai Skovbjerg (DEN, YAM), 50 p.; 6. Lyonel Reichl (LIE, HUS), 50 p.; 7. Francisco Garcia (ESP, KAW), 43 p.; 8. Ivano Van Erp (NED, YAM), 38 p.; 9. Gyan Doensen (NED, KTM), 37 p.; 10. August Frisk (SWE, KTM), 35 p.
EMX250 Manufacturers - Top 10 Classification: 1. Yamaha, 100 points; 2. Honda, 74 p.; 3. Kawasaki, 65 p.; 4. Husqvarna, 65 p.; 5. KTM, 55 p.; 6. Triumph, 27 p.; 7. GASGAS, 23 p.; 8. Fantic, 23 p.;
The opening race was nothing short of intense. Just before the gate dropped, a heavy downpour soaked the circuit, creating a slick, unforgiving surface that immediately caught several riders off guard in the first corner. TM Moto CRD Motosport’s Niccolò Mannini—second in the championship heading into the weekend—snatched the holeshot. But it was Mano Faure who quickly made his presence known by overtaking Mannini early and setting the pace at the front.
Faure built a commanding 8.5-second lead, but a crash at the top of the hill nearly unravelled his race. Meanwhile, KTM-mounted Filippo Mantovani and Mannini took full advantage, slipping past into the top spots as Faure remounted and rejoined in third. Undeterred, Faure clawed his way back, eventually reclaiming the lead with two laps to go in a high-stakes exchange that kept the home crowd on the edge of their seats.
Mannini and Mantovani completed the podium after capitalizing on Faure’s mistake. MCV Motorsport-TM Moto’s Gennaro Utech and Fantic Factory Racing EMX125’s Francesco Bellei rounded out the top five with impressive rides in the mud.
Behind them, MCV Motorsport-TM Moto’s Gennaro Utech charged through the field, finishing a strong fourth after passing Fantic Factory Racing EMX125’s Francesco Bellei, who rounded out the top five.
At the checkered flag, Faure crossed the line first securing the win by 6.6 seconds over Mantovani, with Mannini taking third. The victory also delivered a massive confidence boost for Faure in the title chase, adding 25 points to his tally.
Meanwhile, Bervoets—who had scored 20-22 finishes for a total of 42 points in Cozar to take the early championship lead—struggled to find rhythm. He ended Race 1 in 14th, a stark contrast to the form that had carried him to the red plate.
With the momentum in Faure’s favour, all eyes were on him on Race 2 to see if the Frenchman would win his first ever overall…and on French soil!
On Sunday, under drier conditions, Race 2 saw RACESTORE KTM Factory Rookies’ Áron Katona took centre stage. While Faure once again nailed the start and led early, a mistake mid-race saw the Frenchman lose ground. Katona, calm and clinical, seized the lead and never looked back—riding with the poise of a seasoned contender to take his first career EMX125 victory.
Joining him at the top was teammate Nicolò Alvisi, whose second-place finish marked a breakthrough for the Italian. Mannini, ever consistent, again took third to strengthen his overall points haul. Dani Heitink, also riding for Yamaha Europe EMX125 MJC, rounded out the top five following a tough first race. Faure regrouped for a hard-fought fourth, securing the overall victory for the weekend with 43 points (1-4).
For Jarne Bervoets, the French round was one to forget. Following his Cozar podium and red plate status, he arrived in St. Jean d’Angély with confidence—but could only manage 14th and 13th across the two races. The Belgian’s 15-point weekend dropped him well out of the lead in the overall standings, underscoring just how quickly fortunes can change in EMX125.
Mano Faure claimed his first career overall victory with a commanding Race 1 win and strong Race 2 salvage, catapulting him from 0 to 43 points in the standings. Niccolò Mannini showed consistency with back-to-back podiums (3-3), bringing his total to 40 points for the round and placing him as a clear championship contender. Áron Katona and Nicolò Alvisi (both RACESTORE KTM) impressed with 1-2 finishes in Race 2, underlining the growing strength of their team.
With the championship momentum now shifting, the EMX125 title chase has blown wide open.
Mano Faure: “I am very happy first weekend in EMX125. I want to thank everyone around me without this would not be possible. My team, My family my sponsors and VDB.. I can’t wait to be back on track at the next round!”
Top Photo: Mano Faure
Bottom Photos: 1.EMX125 Start; 2.EMX125 Podium
EMX125 – Race 1 - Top 10 Classification: 1. Mano Faure (FRA, Yamaha), 29:48.719; 2. Filippo Mantovani (ITA, KTM), +0:06.622; 3. Niccolo Mannini (ITA, TM), +0:07.813; 4. Gennaro Utech (ITA, TM), +0:11.912; 5. Francesco Bellei (ITA, Fantic), +0:13.047; 6. Sleny Goyer (FRA, Yamaha), +0:13.983; 7. Dani Heitink (NED, Yamaha), +0:14.823; 8. Dean Gregoire (NED, KTM), +0:48.258; 9. Nicolò Alvisi (ITA, KTM), +0:49.282; 10. Ricardo Bauer (AUT, KTM), +0:49.834
EMX125 – Race 2 - Top 10 Classification: 1. Áron Katona (HUN, KTM), 30:18.572; 2. Nicolò Alvisi (ITA, KTM), +0:27.710; 3. Niccolo Mannini (ITA, TM), +0:41.991; 4. Mano Faure (FRA, Yamaha), +0:46.070; 5. Dani Heitink (NED, Yamaha), +0:51.911; 6. Ryan Oppliger (SUI, KTM), +0:53.418; 7. Francesco Bellei (ITA, Fantic), +0:54.992; 8. Gennaro Utech (ITA, TM), +1:07.782; 9. Riccardo Pini (ITA, TM), +1:11.456; 10. Emil Ziemer (SUI, KTM), +1:15.747
EMX125 Overall - Top 10: 1. Mano Faure (FRA, YAM), 43 points; 2. Niccolo Mannini (ITA, TM), 40 p.; 3. Áron Katona (HUN, KTM), 34 p.; 4. Nicolò Alvisi (ITA, KTM), 34 p.; 5. Filippo Mantovani (ITA, KTM), 32 p.; 6. Gennaro Utech (ITA, TM), 31 p.; 7. Dani Heitink (NED, YAM), 30 p.; 8. Francesco Bellei (ITA, FAN), 30 p.; 9. Ryan Oppliger (SUI, KTM), 21 p.; 10. Sleny Goyer (FRA, YAM), 21 p.
EMX125 Championship - Top 10 Classification: 1. Niccolo Mannini (ITA, TM), 76 points; 2. Áron Katona (HUN, KTM), 65 p.; 3. Dani Heitink (NED, YAM), 60 p.; 4. Filippo Mantovani (ITA, KTM), 57 p.; 5. Jarne Bervoets (BEL, YAM), 57 p.; 6. Francesco Bellei (ITA, FAN), 56 p.; 7. Riccardo Pini (ITA, TM), 55 p.; 8. Gennaro Utech (ITA, TM), 49 p.; 9. Mano Faure (FRA, YAM), 43 p.; 10. Nicolò Alvisi (ITA, KTM), 42 p.
EMX125 Manufacturers - Top 10 Classification: 1. Yamaha, 88 points; 2. KTM, 85 p.; 3. TM, 82 p.; 4. Fantic, 61 p.; 5. GASGAS, 34 p.;
All the photos from the MXGP of Europe will be available HERE.
You can find the complete results HERE.
MXGP OF EUROPE QUICK FACTS:
Circuit length: 1610m
Type of ground: Hard Pack
Temperature: 13˚
Weather conditions: Cloudy/Rainy
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