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Romain Febvre Takes Red Plate with Podium Performance at Muddy Agueda MXGP
Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP’s Romain Febvre claimed the red plate as the new points leader in the FIM World MXGP Motocross Championship after securing his sixth podium in seven rounds at a rain-soaked Agueda circuit in central Portugal.
Relentless rainstorms overnight and throughout race day created treacherous conditions, demanding precision and tactical discipline. Despite impressive efforts from the Infront track crew, the circuit remained a challenge, with slick turns and deep ruts testing every rider’s skill. In both motos, Febvre was narrowly edged out for the holeshot, setting up two race-long battles at the front.
In the opening race, Febvre displayed superior pace, clocking the fastest lap times and briefly taking the lead twice, only to be repassed each time as his rival clung to the optimal race line. In race two, the Frenchman again showed restraint and control, patiently biding his time behind the leader. Over the final three laps, he surged forward, narrowing the gap to under a second before a lapped rider interrupted his momentum.
With two runner-up finishes on the day, Febvre secured second overall and, more importantly, took control of the championship standings with a 25-point advantage heading into next weekend’s Spanish GP.
KRT teammate Pauls Jonass made a strong return after a month-long absence, finishing fifth overall with 4-8 moto results. The Latvian rode a smart first race, moving into fourth midway through the moto after a solid start in fifth. In the second race, he delivered a consistent ride to eighth, securing a commendable top-five overall in his first GP back.
Despite missing three rounds, Jonass now climbs to 11th in the championship standings.
Romain Febvre:
“I wanted to go for the win today, but my main goal was to get strong starts and avoid crashing—getting mud on your gloves in these conditions can ruin everything. I was right up front in both races, which is a good sign for the rest of the season. I passed Lucas twice in the first moto, but he responded quickly each time. In the second moto, I got back to his rear wheel but couldn’t find a clean line to make the move. I had more to lose than gain by forcing it, so I played it smart. Taking second overall and the red plate feels great. I’ve spent four years chasing it, and now that I have it, it gives me confidence—not pressure. There’s still a long way to go, and anything can happen, so I need to stay focused.”
Pauls Jonass:
“It felt great to be back in race conditions. I was happy with my pace in the first moto and finishing fourth felt like a solid reward. I struggled a bit to find rhythm in the second race, so eighth wasn’t ideal, but fifth overall is a good result for my return. The conditions were tough, but credit to the track crew—they gave us a layout we could still race on. I'm looking forward to building momentum from here, step by step.”
