Interview: Maxime Renaux – “Overall, things have gone pretty well so far”

Maxime Renaux is approaching the 2026 MXGP season with a renewed focus on consistency, aiming to avoid the injury setbacks that have disrupted his previous campaigns. Despite starting the year cautiously and accepting a slightly slower pace in the opening rounds, the Yamaha rider has managed to stay competitive, securing a podium in Switzerland and several top-five finishes in Spain, Italy, and France. Renaux acknowledges that while more podiums would be ideal, his measured approach has allowed him to remain in touch with the championship leaders as the season reaches its midpoint. The Frenchman attributes the challenge of securing additional podiums to a combination of factors, including race starts and a need to increase his overall pace and risk-taking. He has identified starts as a key area for improvement, alongside a slight lack of outright speed, and plans to raise his performance level in the second half of the season. Renaux’s equipment choices have also evolved; he initially used a double holeshot device on his Yamaha 450 YZ-F but abandoned the rear linkage system after assessing its suitability on different tracks. He remains open to reintroducing it depending on gate conditions and surface texture, highlighting the fine margins involved in such technical decisions. This season’s MXGP field is notably competitive, with the arrival of new talents like Kay de Wolf and Andrea Adamo, the return of Tom Vialle, and a total of eight world champions on the starting grid. Renaux describes the current championship as one of the most competitive in recent years, with a deeper pool of riders capable of winning motos and significant fluctuations in points from race to race. This heightened competition, he suggests, makes for more exciting racing and unpredictable championship battles, benefiting both riders and fans alike. After a series of injuries and health issues in recent seasons, Renaux reports that his physical condition is currently excellent, with no lingering pain from previous femoral head, hand, or ankle injuries. This improved fitness is crucial for maintaining performance throughout the demanding MXGP calendar. Sitting sixth in the standings ahead of the German round, Renaux is closely packed with the top riders, just 13 points shy of third place, signalling that he remains a strong contender as the championship progresses.