FIM Motocross World Championship
Lacapelle-Marival
MXGP of France
French Fans Fuel Double Podium Success for Kawasaki Riders at Lacapelle-Marival
Kawasaki Racing Team celebrated a memorable home Grand Prix at Lacapelle-Marival, France, as hometown heroes Mathis Valin and Romain Febvre both stood on the podium in front of an enthusiastic French crowd. Valin continued his impressive mid-season momentum in MX2 with his second consecutive podium finish after a pair of determined rides, while Febvre and Jonass overcame adversity and crashes in both races to secure another season podium and valuable championship points, respectively. Backed by strong speed throughout the weekend, Kawasaki Racing Team combined to deliver a landmark result on French soil, with all three riders strengthening their positions in the championship standings as the series heads into the next round.
MXGP Results
Mathis Valin
MX2
"It means a lot to be back on the box, especially here at home in France; the crowd was amazing. I felt really comfortable yesterday after my victory in qualifying, but today was tough. The track was demanding, and it is also quite small, so I was taking the roost all moto. The speed is coming and we are getting closer and closer to the win."
Romain Febvre
MXGP
"I wasn't expecting a podium after that first race; I used a lot of energy for that seventh after the crash. I had to fight hard again in Race 2 for third, so I'm so happy to make it to the podium for the French fans."
Pauls Jonass
MXGP
"It was a difficult day. I didn't get the best jump in the first race, but I came good through the first couple of turns to be eighth; then I got arm pump already on the second lap, so it was difficult to hold on after that. We switched to a hardpack tire for Race 2, but [Jan] Pancar crashed right in front of me coming out of Turn 1, and I hit his bike. I hit my ribs and was struggling to breathe for a couple of laps, but I kept pushing with good lap times and got to 11th, not far from eighth, at the finish. It was a decent ride, but the result was not what we were looking for."
