Interview: Maxime Grau – “Maddii Honda are doing a very good job”

Maxime Grau has experienced a rapid rise in form since joining the Maddii Racing Honda team at the last minute to compete in the MX2 World Championship aboard the CRF 250. The French rider has shown clear progress with each Grand Prix, highlighted by a seventh-place finish in the opening MX2 moto at Trentino, his best result in the class so far. Despite a strong start in the second race, Grau was forced to retire after a series of small errors, but remains optimistic as he looks ahead to the French GP at Lacapelle-Marival. Grau emphasised the importance of his strong starts, which have been a consistent feature in recent rounds, giving him the chance to compete with the leading riders early on. He acknowledged that racing alongside front-runners like Sacha Coenen has revealed areas for improvement, which he intends to address during the upcoming four-week break. The rider is confident that focused preparation will help him arrive at the next rounds in France and Germany ready to challenge for better results. Despite not having full factory support, Grau praised the Maddii Racing Honda team for their efforts in developing the bike and engine. He noted the team’s strong reputation in engine building, particularly with two-stroke machines in the European 250 2-stroke championship, and expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far. While acknowledging the gap to the top five riders remains around a second per lap, Grau is determined to close that margin through careful analysis and continued development. Looking ahead, Grau is motivated by the prospect of racing in front of his home crowd in France, where he expects an electric atmosphere at Lacapelle-Marival. He remains fully committed to the team’s programme and is eager to build on his recent performances. With a clear plan to refine his skills and the bike’s performance, Grau aims to make significant strides in the coming races and establish himself as a consistent contender in the MX2 World Championship.