Mathis Valin wins MX2 Qualifying at home

Mathis Valin delivered a commanding performance in the MX2 Qualifying race at the French round of the FIM World MX2 Motocross Championship in Lacapelle-Marival. The young French rider, representing Kawasaki Racing Team MX2, secured a strong holeshot and quickly reclaimed the lead after being briefly overtaken early on. Demonstrating superior pace, Valin was the only competitor to lap under 1 minute 41 seconds, eventually pulling a five-second gap to win comfortably. His victory marked a significant milestone as he chased his first GP-level win this season, buoyed by enthusiastic home support. While Valin thrived, Kawasaki Racing Team’s MXGP riders faced a more challenging day. Romain Febvre, starting from a less favourable gate pick, struggled initially but showed resilience by climbing from ninth to finish fifth in Qualifying. Despite difficulties navigating the increasingly rutted and technical track, Febvre’s late-race overtakes helped him secure valuable championship points and close the gap to third place in the standings. Pauls Jonass also experienced a tough race, dropping to tenth after a poor start and battling arm pump throughout, though he remained optimistic about improving in the main event. Francisco Garcia, making his MX2 GP debut with Venum Bud Racing Kawasaki, impressed by finishing eighth after a strong start and consistent pace under pressure from seasoned GP moto winners. His performance highlighted his potential as the current EMX250 points leader stepping up to the world stage. Jake Cannon, also new to GP competition, showed promise by advancing from fifteenth to twelfth, while DRT Kawasaki’s Kay Karssemakers maintained a solid presence in the top half of the field, finishing eleventh. The French GP Qualifying round underscored the technical demands of the Lacapelle-Marival circuit, with hot conditions contributing to increasingly challenging track conditions as deep ruts developed throughout the day. Riders noted the difficulty of maintaining pace and control on the tight layout, especially on the more powerful 450cc machines. With strong home support and a promising start, Mathis Valin will be keen to replicate his qualifying success in the main races, while his Kawasaki teammates aim to overcome early setbacks and improve their championship standings.