The 2026 motocross season has officially ignited, and the Kawasaki Racing Team (KRT) has already set the stage on fire! But here's where it gets thrilling: Romain Febvre, Pauls Jonass, and Mathis Valin didn’t just race—they dominated the Pernes-les-Fontaines International event in southern France, proving that KRT is a force to be reckoned with this year. And this is the part most people miss: despite the unpredictable weather turning the track into a mud-soaked battleground, these riders showcased resilience, skill, and sheer determination that left the crowd in awe.
The day began with dry training sessions, but as the clock struck midday, the skies opened up, drenching the track. Yet, the rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the enthusiastic crowd, especially those cheering for Romain Febvre, the reigning MXGP world champion. Racing for the first time with the coveted #1 plate on his Kawasaki KX450-SR, Febvre delivered a masterclass in motocross. He emerged victorious in a nail-biting first moto duel against his arch-rival from the previous season and followed it up with a commanding win in the second moto, finishing nearly half a minute ahead as the track conditions worsened. Though a perfect day slipped through his fingers after two mistakes in the third moto pushed him down to sixth, he still secured second place overall—a testament to his unwavering grit.
Pauls Jonass, Febvre’s KRT teammate, delivered three consistently strong performances, finishing 3-4-2 in the motos to join Febvre on the podium. His ability to navigate the treacherous, muddy track showcased his winter training paying off in spades. But here’s the controversial part: while Jonass’s performance was impressive, some fans argue that he could have pushed harder in the second moto to challenge for a higher position. What do you think? Did Jonass play it safe, or was his strategy spot-on?
In the MX2 category, Mathis Valin was nothing short of dominant. Despite a DNF in the second race after a collision with a 450 rider at the start, Valin’s performance was a clinic in adaptability. Earlier, in the dry Timed Training session, he posted the third-fastest time against the more powerful 450s on his KX250-SR. Even a pit stop for fresh goggles in the first moto couldn’t slow him down, as he finished sixth in the combined classification, nearly a minute ahead of the next 250 rider. His fifth-place finish in the final moto secured him the top step of the MX2 podium, proving he’s a contender to watch this season.
Romain Febvre reflected on his day, saying, “Overall, it was a good day. The track was perfect for the first race, and I had a nice duel with Lucas. I rode two good races, but in the third, the track was really cut up, and it was easy to make a mistake. My preparation isn’t fully advanced yet—the goal is to peak at the opening GP next month—but today showed me the speed is there, the starts are good, and our winter work is paying off.”
Pauls Jonass added, “The track was incredibly heavy, and the mud was super-sticky in the second and third motos, but I had three solid races. The small crash in the second race was unfortunate, but I’m happy with my podium finish and the feeling on the bike. The starts were really positive, and I’m excited for the next races. Today proved our winter training is yielding results.”
Mathis Valin shared his experience, “I felt really good in the dry this morning, posting the third-fastest time among the 450s, but the rain in the afternoon changed everything. Starting with the 450s is never easy, and I had to stop for fresh goggles in the first moto—the rocks here make it risky to race without clear vision. But I found my rhythm and finished sixth. In the second start, I fell when Tonus collided with me, so I pulled out to focus on the last moto. Despite the challenges, our season has started, and I’m looking forward to a successful year.”
Antti Pyrhönen, KRT MXGP team manager, summed up the day, “Today was an excellent shake-down for the entire team after the winter break. You can train and test all you want, but nothing compares to racing. Here in France, the early-season schedule is intense, with free practice, timed training, and three back-to-back motos under pressure. All three riders ended the day on the podium, gaining valuable experience in race conditions. From here, we’ll continue our intense training and race again next weekend at Hawkstone Park as we build toward the first GP in Argentina next month.”
As the dust (and mud) settles on Pernes-les-Fontaines, one thing is clear: KRT is ready to conquer the 2026 season. But here’s the question that’s sure to spark debate: With Febvre’s dominance, Jonass’s consistency, and Valin’s MX2 victory, is KRT the team to beat this year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear from you!
