Maiden GP victory for KRT MX2 and Mathis Valin

Kawasaki Racing Team MX2 and French rider Mathis Valin secured a landmark victory at the seventh round of the 2026 FIM World MX2 Motocross Championship in Teutschenthal, Germany. This marked Valin’s first Grand Prix win as well as the inaugural GP triumph for the KX250-SR project in just its second season. Despite challenging conditions caused by heavy rain, Valin demonstrated strong pace and composure, finishing second in the opening moto before taking the lead in the second and holding on to claim the overall victory. The race conditions were notably difficult, with deep ruts and a slippery surface testing the riders’ skill and resilience. Valin narrowly missed the holeshot in both motos but quickly established himself near the front, applying pressure on the leaders and capitalising on their mistakes. His mature, technical riding style under adverse weather and track conditions was praised by team management, highlighting his growth and consistency as a young talent within the Kawasaki setup. Valin expressed immense satisfaction with his breakthrough success, reflecting on the journey from recent injury setbacks to finally reaching the top step of the podium. He credited the strong support from his team, trainer, and personal network for his progress, emphasising the importance of consistency and teamwork moving forward. Kawasaki Racing Team manager Antti Pyrhönen echoed these sentiments, recognising the victory as a significant milestone for both the rider and the KX250-SR project, which has seen steady development and improvement over the past two years. Elsewhere, DRT Kawasaki’s Kay Karssemakers showed promising form despite mixed results, finishing ninth overall after battling through the field in both motos. Meanwhile, Kawasaki’s dominance extended into the European EMX250 Championship, where Venum Bud Racing Kawasaki’s Francisco Garcia and Jake Cannon secured a commanding 1-2 finish in moto one, reinforcing their strong position in the championship standings. The team’s performance under tough weather conditions further solidified Kawasaki’s lead in the Manufacturers’ Championship, underscoring their growing strength across multiple classes.