main content of page
Racing News |
Valin Impresses with Top-Five Moto in Front of Home Crowd at Ernée
Kawasaki Racing Team MX2’s Mathis Valin delivered a gritty and determined performance at the French round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Ernée, securing a fifth-place moto finish and eighth overall on home soil.
The French teenager got off to a strong start in the opening moto, launching well out of the gate before a slight wheelie on the run to turn one pushed him back to eighth. Regrouping quickly, Valin carved his way into the top six by lap four. Maintaining a smooth, mistake-free pace, he reeled in the rider ahead to claim a hard-fought fifth place with four laps remaining—greeted by roaring support from the passionate home crowd.
Podium hopes took a hit in race two as Valin was squeezed in the first corner and forced to start from ninth. Despite showing strong pace once again, he managed to gain only one position in a race characterized by tight, high-speed battles. His consistent efforts earned him 29 championship points on the day—just four short of the podium—and vaulted him to 17th in the series standings despite missing three rounds earlier in the season.
Mathis Valin:
"I made a good start from the outside in the first moto and found a strong rhythm to finish P5. The second moto was a bit more difficult—I got stuck behind another rider for too long, but once I passed him I found my pace again and had some great battles until the end. I’m building back speed little by little and was pushing hard in both motos. The GPs are much more intense than the European Championship, especially during the opening laps. Now it’s time to keep training and improving—see you in Teutschenthal!"