MX2

FRAUENFELD (Switzerland) 24 August 2024 – Round 17 of the MXGP World Motocross Championships kicked into life today at the Schweizer Zucker circuit in Frauenfeld for the MXGP of Switzerland Presented by IXS, and with beautiful blue skies the conditions were on the hot side for the afternoon’s RAM Qualifying Races.

The battle at the top of the MXGP World Championship continues to tighten up as Jorge Prado took the win for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing, narrowing the gap to just eight points behind Tim Gajser, who took second for Team HRC.  He also closed the gap in the race for the RAM Driving Experience as well, taking his fifth Black Plate of the year compared to the seven of Gajser!

The MX2 class again saw a battle between the Championship rivals from the Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team, with Lucas Coenen emerging triumphant after a big crash for Kay de Wolf left him lucky to still pick up second place.

Tim Gajser showed his pace on the Swiss grassland surface with the fastest time in both Practice sessions, just ahead of Prado in Time Practice, with home hero Jeremy Seewer getting amongst the top men with third for the Kawasaki Racing Team ahead of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing star Jeffrey Herlings.

There was a strong return to racing for Team HRC’s Ruben Fernandez as he launched around the first corner in the lead, just ahead of Seewer who got the banks of Swiss fans screaming for their man! Another rider back from injury, Maxime Renaux of the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team, was a good fourth at the start behind Prado, while Herlings and Gajser were down in eighth and ninth!

On the third lap Seewer, who had made several attempts to pass Fernandez for the lead, tipped over in a deep rut and dropped to seventh.  On the same lap, Renaux got passed by Gajser and Herlings as the Slovenian had sneaked past “The Bullet” on the opening lap. The three title contenders then took their turns to get past Fernandez and stayed in those positions for the final ten laps!

The crowd were kept entertained by the recovery of Seewer, who skipped deftly past Fernandez on lap eight and chased after Renaux.  Meanwhile, Romain Febvre, having recently renewed his contract with the Kawasaki Racing Team, recovered from a poor start and passed Alberto Forato for ninth in the closing stages after the Standing Construct Honda man fell from sixth, but would claim the final point.

Fernandez dropped to eighth as the early pace and heat wore him down. Glenn Coldenhoff took sixth for Fantic Factory Racing, and Kevin Horgmo a charging seventh for Team Ship To Cycle Honda Motoblouz SR.

Seewer took one final lunge at Renaux but nearly fell again on the last lap, having to settle for fifth behind the Frenchman and console himself with his move up to fourth in the Championship ahead of Renaux’s absent teammate Calvin Vlaanderen.

Prado led his fellow title contenders as Gajser and Herlings took second and third. Herlings is now 36 behind the Slovenian, but the reigning Champ continues to reel in the leader with the deficit now down to just eight points!

Jorge Prado: ”I mean it's very warm today yeah especially now I think it was way warmer than this afternoon. About the race, I made good passes and got the lead and got another qualifying race win. It's good for the championship so let's go get it!”

MXGP - RAM Qualifying Race – Classification:  1. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), 24:23.958; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:01.569; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:11.492; 4. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:22.152; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Kawasaki), +0:24.277; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Fantic), +0:32.957; 7. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Honda), +0:35.355; 8. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:40.358; 9. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:48.526; 10. Alberto Forato (ITA, Honda), +0:49.545; (BEL, Honda), +0:38.225; 10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Kawasaki), +0:39.200

MXGP - World Championship Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 810 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 802 p.; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 774 p.; 4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, KAW), 553 p.; 5. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 550 p.; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, FAN), 500 p.; 7. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 494 p.; 8. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, HON), 363 p.; 9. Valentin Guillod (SUI, HON), 306 p.; 10. Brian Bogers (NED, FAN), 283 p.

Main Photo: Jorge Prado

Bottom Photos: 1. Tim Gajser; 2. Jeffrey Herlings

Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing star Simon Laengenfelder was fastest in the first Free Practice session, but the advantage was grabbed by Kay de Wolf in Time Practice as the red plate holder took first gate pick ahead of the German, with Lucas Coenen not far off in third.

Lucas Coenen bolted into the first corner in front, but there was confusion at the starting line as several gates appeared not to drop evenly. Further investigation revealed that the issue was caused by riders hitting the gate, so the race was allowed to continue.

Andrea Adamo had started up in second, but De Wolf was quickly past the man he intends to succeed as World Champion and took up the chase on his teammate. Laengenfelder fired around Adamo for third on lap four but could not get close to the flying Husqvarna men out front.

Adamo’s Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Liam Everts was right up there in fourth to begin with but made a stunning pass on the Italian on lap seven, cutting from outside to inside on the fast approach to the finish line!

Rick Elzinga held down a solid sixth place for Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2, just ahead of his teammate Thibault Benistant, the winner here last year who was in his first race back from injury.  Monster Energy Triumph Racing star Mikkel Haarup fought past the Frenchman on lap nine and would also pass Elzinga for sixth as time expired.  Elzinga would claim seventh, ahead of his other teammate Karlis Reisulis, who passed Benistant with three laps to go for eighth. The second Triumph of Camden McLellan took the final point in tenth.

Meanwhile, the tension was building at the front, as using some dazzling lines around the roughening Frauenfeld circuit, De Wolf closed to within a second of his teammate. It was looking like a showdown between the top two with three laps to go, but just as they caught a bunch of lapped riders, De Wolf’s rear wheel skipped sideways on the face of a jump and he suffered a spectacular crash in front of the fullest bank of fans!

With the bike looking twisted he was able to remount still in second place, and just managed to hold back Laengenfelder for second to the flag.  Everts came home in fourth ahead of Adamo. It was Lucas Coenen, however, who won the RAM Qualifying Race for the seventh time this year!

All of the riders were feeling the heat from the hot Swiss sun today, but the weather is due to be cooler tomorrow with the possibility of rain on the horizon. It could be a completely different challenge for everybody on Grand Prix Sunday and should make for some fascinating racing as the sharp end of the Championship draws near!

Lucas Coenen: “It was a good race. The start was not bad. I had a good jump and I made my way up to the lead, so I was happy about that. And then I just did my own race, not really pushed on the limit because this track is quite sketchy. So I just went, not cruise mode, let's say, but just riding smooth, because it was difficult to find the rhythm this morning. So, I mean, it's good to kick the weekend like this. So tomorrow is another day, and we will see.”

MX2 - RAM Qualifying Race – Classification: 1. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), 24:14.196; 2. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:09.052; 3. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:09.670; 4. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:13.130; 5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:25.943; 6. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:29.791; 7. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:31.863; 8. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:33.395; 9. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:43.189; 10. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +0:56.963

MX2 - World Championship Classification: 1. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 786 points; 2. Lucas Coenen (BEL, HUS), 743 p.; 3. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 684 p.; 4. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 643 p.; 5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 551 p.; 6. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, TRI), 547 p.; 7. Rick Elzinga (NED, YAM), 496 p.; 8. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 444 p.; 9. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, TRI), 316 p.; 10. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, HON), 290 p

Top Photo: Lucas Coenen

Bottom Photos: 1. Kay de Wolf; 2. Simon Laengenfelder 

​WATCH RAM QUALIFYING RACES HIGHLIGHTS HERE 

All the photos from the MXGP of Switzerland presented by iXS will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

MXGP OF SWITZERLAND PRESENTED BY iXS QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 1500m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 32°

Weather conditions: Sunny

TIMETABLE 

SUNDAY: 09:45 EMX125 Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX250 Race 2, 12:20 MXe Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Frauenfeld
 

FRAUENFELD (Switzerland) 24 August 2024 – The always enthusiastic army of Swiss fans in red and white will descend on the Schweizer Zucker circuit of Frauenfeld for the MXGP of Switzerland this weekend, as round 17 draws the last triple-header of the 2024 MXGP World Championships to a close!

It is getting close at the top of MXGP, with just nine points between points leader Tim Gajser and reigning Champion Jorge Prado, as both men declare that the final four venues of the year all suit their styles! However, Jeffrey Herlings is the only two-time winner at this circuit and will be aiming to continue his chase as he lies only 35 points back from the leader!

Local hero Jeremy Seewer will start his 200^th career Grand Prix – and that is 200 in a row as the Swiss hero has never missed a round - in front of his vocal local supporters who will deafen the riders if their man hits the front! Maybe he can be inspired to claim his first GP win of the year, and his first at Frauenfeld after two runner-up finishes in recent years!

The MX2 class could be wide open as the hard-pack lovers rub their hands at the prospect of the Swiss grasslands, but Kay de Wolf and Lucas Coenen still have a Championship within their grasp and will give no quarter to anyone, especially not each other, as the series gets to the sharp end!

Swiss TV will be onsite at Frauenfeld with Live commentary, broadcasting Sunday’s two MXGP races on SRF Live.

Check our listings below for the full list of TV channels that will air LIVE and delayed action of the MXGP of Switzerland, as well as the 26-minute Behind The Gate magazine show featuring the best moments from the races, exclusive interviews and more.  All of this footage will be available on MXGP-TV.com and via our TV magazine partners following the Grand Prix.

As always, MXGP fans can follow the races LIVE throughout the weekend. All you need to do is log onto www.MXGP-TV.com Saturday and Sunday, from wherever you are in the world.  The last GP before a week’s break and then two long-distance races should serve up a feast of shocks and surprises in Switzerland! Join us!

USA CANADA

CBS Sports Network

Sunday August 25 th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 10:00 ET – LIVE

Sunday August 25 th 2024 – MXGP Race 2 – 11:00 ET – LIVE

LATIN AMERICA

Direct TV

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET LIVE

BRAZIL

Bandsports

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET LIVE

MEXICO

FOX SPORTS Mexico

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET LIVE

BELGIUM 

PLAY SPORTS OPEN

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET LIVE

ESTONIA

Go3

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET LIVE

FINLAND

MAX

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 – Finnish timing - LIVE

FRANCE

AUTOMOTO TV LA CHAINE 

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 15:00 CET Delayed

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET LIVE

LA CHAINE L’EQUIPE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE Streaming

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET LIVE Streaming

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET LIVE. Streaming

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET LIVE Streaming

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET LIVE

ITALY

RAI SPORT

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET LIVE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET LIVE

LATVIA

TV3 Sport Open

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET LIVE

LITHUANIA

Go3

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET LIVE

SLOVENIA

Sport TV1

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET LIVE

SPAIN

TV Galicia

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 16:00 – CET Delayed

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 19:00 – CET Delayed

SWITZERLAND

CHSRF

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET LIVE

CHRTS

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET LIVE Streaming

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET LIVE Streaming

ASIA

Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand
 

EUROSPORT ASIA

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET LIVE

INDIA and Subcontinent (Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives)
 

VIACOM  - Jio Cinema

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 16:30 IST – Streaming

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 17:30 IST – Streaming

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 19:30 IST – Streaming

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 20:30 IST – Streaming

INDONESIA

CHAMPIONS TV

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET LIVE

VIDIO

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – CET LIVE

PACIFIC / AUSTRALIA
 

STAN SPORTS

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 1 – 21:00 AEST – LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MXGP Race 1 – 22:00 AEST – LIVE

Sunday August 25th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 00:00  AEST – LIVE

Monday August 26th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 01:00 AEST - LIVE

26min Behind-the-Gate Magazine Partners:
 

AMERICA

Latin America             Direct TV                                 Thursday after each MXGP 8:30pm

Mexico                        FOX Sports                              Thursday after each MXGP 8:30pm

USA                             BEiN USA                                 TBA

EUROPE

Albania                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Austria                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Baltics                          TV3 Sport Open                      Thursday after each MXGP

Belgium                       Play sports                              tba

Belgium                       SPORT TEN                              tba

Bosnia                         GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Croatia                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Finland            MTV                                        During the week after the event

Hungary                      GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Kosovo                        GP1                                        Thursday after each event at 20:15

Montenegro                GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Northern Macedonia  GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Portugal                      SPORT TV                                Tuesday after the event        

Romania                      Look Sport                               Wednesday after each event

Serbia                          GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Slovenia                      Sport TV                                  Tuesday after the event

INDIA and Subcontinent (Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives)
 

VIACOM 18                                                                        Wednesday after the event

INDONESIA                  Champions TV

                                    Moji

                                    Vidio

AUSTRALIA

Australia                      Stan Sport                               Wednesday after each event

WORLDWIDE

Worldwide                  Motorvision                            During the week after the event

Worldwide                  Redbull TV                               Race Craft and Vlog

Worldwide                  YouTube – MXGP TV               16 days after the event

MXGP of Switzerland Presented by iXS LIVE MXGP-TV.COM Timetable 

TIMETABLE 

SATURDAY: 7:30 EMX125 Group 1 Free practice, 8:00 EMX125 Group 2 Free practice, 08:30 MXe Free practice, 8:50 EMX250 Free practice, 09:20 EMX125 Group 1 Qualifying practice, 09:55 EMX125 Group 2 Qualifying Practice, 10:30 MX2 Free Practice, 11:00 MXGP OAT Free Practice, 11:45 EMX250 Qualifying practice, 12:20 MXGP Wildcard Free/Qualifying practice, 13:20 MXe Race 1, 13:40 MX2 Time Practice, 14:15 MXGP Time Practice, 15:00 EMX125 Race 1, 15:45 EMX250 Race 1, 16:35 MX2 RAM Qualifying Race, 17:25 MXGP RAM Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 09:45 EMX125 Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX250 Race 2, 12:20 MXe Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

Frauenfeld

Frauenfeld (Switzerland) 23 August 2024 – The MXGP of Switzerland is a vital one for the contenders at the top of the standings in both MXGP and MX2 this weekend, but for some riders it signals the return to the MXGP Paddock for the first time in many months as they come back from their injury-enforced absences to compete once more at the highest level.

For Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP, former MX2 World Champion Maxime Renaux lines up for the first time since the second round in Spain, when he aggravated his right foot injury sustained at the same circuit in 2023.  After being announced as part of the unchanged Team France line-up for the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations, he will surely need to build race fitness to ensure that he gives his country the best possible chance of defending its MXoN title.

Maxime himself has no expectations of repeating his overall victory at last year’s MXGP of Switzerland: “I’ll just dive in the deep end and build from there; I’ll line up aiming to race clean, without too much risk, just to get some racing under my belt.”  Meanwhile, although still on the Entry List, his teammate Calvin Vlaanderen’s participation is uncertain after hurting his left knee in a first corner crash at the MXGP of The Netherlands. He will have his knee examined by specialists this week to determine the best course of action, and whether or not he can ride.

Jago Geerts continues his fight back from his Argentina injuries after completing the first MXGP race laps of his career at Arnhem for 10-13 finishes.

In the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 awning, there will be a full compliment of three riders ready for action, with Thibault Benistant returning after his practice crash at the Monster Energy MXGP of France.  The French star, who also won his class at this venue in 2023 and was fourth in MX2 before his injuries, will be welcomed back to the grid as he also begins to build for 2025, which will be his final year in MX2.  “I’m definitely not at 100% yet. Still, I feel good on the bike and really enjoy riding again.  I like the track – it’s full of ruts and bumps, which I actually enjoy.  My only expectation is to have fun being back on track.”

Meanwhile, Team HRC will enjoy being back at full strength at Frauenfeld as Ruben Fernandez joins Tim Gajser and Ferruccio Zanchi for the first time since Argentina.  The Spaniard, fifth in last year’s MXGP World Championship, has been out with a lower leg injury since the opening corners of the RAM Qualifying Race in Patagonia.  After a successful Spanish race at Sariego, it was decided that the Frauenfeld circuit would be a perfect place for his return. “I am very excited to be back in the paddock and going racing again in the MXGP class. I know the journey isn’t over, but this is another important step in my recovery process, so that eventually I can get back to winning Grands Prix.”

Another rider who surely has hopes of competing at the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations, it will be fascinating to see where Ruben emerges at the end of the weekend, but with him, Maxime, and Thibault returning to action, the MXGP of Switzerland is certainly all the better for their presence.

Current leader of the 250 European motocross championship, Mathis Valin will join the Kawasaki Racing Team next season to compete in the FIM MX2 World Championship. The French youngster, who is enjoying an impressive first season on a KX250 with Bud Racing Kawasaki, will lead the factory effort in this class.

After a successful career in the 125 class, in which he won the Junior World Championship and collected a silver medal in the European Championship last year, Mathis, who celebrated his eighteenth birthday recently, started his rookie season in the 250cc class with Bud Racing Kawasaki by racing to victory in the Junior category of the famous Enduropale du Touquet; since then he has added the French Elite title and is leading the European EMX250 Championship after seven rounds.
 
Trained by Thierry Van den Bosch, a former Supermoto World Champion, Mathis has already won two rounds and five motos on a variety of different surfaces such as hardpack at Madrid, the mud of Saint Jean d’Angely and the deep sand of Lommel.
 
For his official entry to the MX2 World Championship next season with factory KX250 machinery, the Kawasaki Racing Team has reached an agreement with Team Bud Racing to allow the young prospect to enter his new challenge in the best conditions. Mathis will move to Belgium at the end of the season to start working with the KRT staff and to prepare his first attempt in the highly-competitive MX2 GP class.

 
Mathis Valin:
“It's a dream came true! If anyone had told me earlier this year that I would be joining the Kawasaki Racing Team at the end of the season I wouldn’t have believed them. I’m happy and proud to join the team; I think that my results helped me to earn this position and now the goal will be to carry on working hard to continue getting good results. It’s a big change for me but already this season I have left my parental home so moving to Belgium, in a team where there are already some French guys, will be OK. When I was offered this opportunity to join KRT there was no hesitation; initially the plan was for me to stay two years with Bud in the European Championship, but, as I’m currently leading the series, it’s already time to move up to the MX2 World Championship next year and I will do my best to end this current season with some more successes.”
 
Shigemi Tanaka (General Manager, Marketing & Sales Division, Kawasaki Motors, Ltd):
"In Mathis we have a great example of the Team Green principle of nurturing talent and developing it within a structured and sympathetic environment. We are super excited to be re-entering the MX2 class with a factory team in 2025 and all the parts of a complex jig-saw are gradually falling into place. Mathis is a crucial part of this emerging team structure, and we hope that Kawasaki fans and young riders across the globe will both follow his progress on the new KX250 complete with the very latest engine and chassis technology identifying with him while he demonstrates the core values of our Team Green philosophy."
 
Antti Pyrhonen (KRT Team Manager):
“We are very excited about this new opportunity with Kawasaki to enter the MX2 class and for sure it will be a different challenge. We will work next year with a young rider; it’s always interesting to educate them in training, riding and race tactics as well as everything else outside of racing; we need to support them with their living situation, travelling and so on. We are really excited about that, we have the experience to do it plus it’s a great compliment that Kawasaki give us the opportunity to enter the MX2 category because this way we can build the Team Green spirit from a young age all the way through to the premier MXGP class.
 
Mathis has impressed us; if you watched his career in recent years he already showed incredible speed in the 125 class, was successful in that class and immediately won races in the EMX250. He’s a young rider but he has already the winning mentality and that opens even greater opportunities to continue in the future. And it's nice that he’s coming from the Kawasaki family; it’s been a great effort from everyone and I want to thank not only the Kawasaki factory in Japan for this opportunity but also Steve Guttridge at KME and Stephane Dassé from Bud Racing for their big efforts behind the scenes to make this possible.”
 
Steve Guttridge (Race Planning Manager, Kawasaki Motors Europe):
"Bud Racing does a  fantastic job of bringing up the young pilots and has a famous history of developing French talent through to their professional career. So to join up all the dots and bring Mathis through into KRT at the first opportunity as we establish an MX2 seat within the factory team is perfect. All the young riders can now see that there is a ladder into a factory team with Kawasaki when they achieve their targets. Mathis gets on very well with the KX250 and is leading the EMX. He likes the base bike so there is one less thing for him to get used to as he moves to a different team set-up."
 
Stephane Dasse (Bud Racing Team Manager):
“For sure it’s a great opportunity for Mathis to move to KRT next season, even if our plan was to keep him with us for another year. He adapted so well to the 250 that he immediately achieved top results, and Kawasaki will now give him the chance to move to the MX2 World Championship so we let him move on! For sure it’s great to see that our work with him is paying off, and to see that there’s a strong connection between Bud, KRT and Kawasaki.”

Photo credit: Kawasaki