Kawasaki factory rider Romain Febvre looked the most likely to beat defending MXGP champion Jorge Prado last weekend, but a small slip over cost him any chance of putting in a real solid charge at the Spaniard. The Frenchman is definitely gaining confidence and speed to match Prado, and it will be interesting in the coming couple of GPs if he can get his first Grand Prix win of the season.

Since the opening round Febvre has had moments of success, starting the season with a second in the qualification race in Argentina, finishing top three in six of the 12 motos run so far this year and of course, the two moto wins in Trentino last weekend. Also, three times on the podium, so not a bad start to the 2024 championship challenge.

Third place last weekend, third place in the MXGP championship points and gaining momentum as we head to Portugal in two weeks time. Here is what he mentioned about his weekend in Trentino, Italy.

MXLarge: How did you feel on the Saturday?

Febvre: The times in practice this morning was really close, so we knew we needed the holeshot. We worked a lot on my starts this week and it paid off as we took a double-holeshot with me in front and Jeremy right behind me. I could quickly make a gap and control the race. We took some good points back in the championship and now we have to do it again in both GP motos tomorrow.

MXLarge: I mean, you looked really good this weekend, you won on Saturday, then won moto one on Sunday and it looked like it was your GP to win, but then you made that small mistake. Can you explain it for, and can you take come positions from this weekend?

Febvre: Yes, a lot of positive points for the weekend. We worked on the starts, and we had holeshot yesterday and two second place started on Sunday, and this is a good point. I was feeling great on a track I like, but it isn’t the best for me, but somehow, I can ride it well. First moto I was behind Jorge, and I passed him, and I had a gap on Tim and controlled that.

MXLarge: What was the big improvement for you this weekend?

Febvre: As I said, we worked hard on the starts this week to find some good solutions and it paid off. Once I took the lead in the first moto, I just concentrated on riding safe and managed the gap to Tim after he passed into second. The last lap was pretty hectic with the lapped riders, but it was to my advantage that it is not easy to pass here even when you get closer.

MXLarge: That first moto it was really close at the end with you and Tim and when he came next to you on the finish line jump you looked over to him, did you know he was so close?

Febvre: Not, I wasn’t surprised. When I passed Prado, then he passed maybe a lap later, so, I knew he was like two or three seconds behind me and then on the last lap, all my sectors were good, but I checked just at the end and really took care to the finish line and I could feel his bike and he was pushing, but there was no way to pass. It was close, but I managed it and won.

MXlarge: Second race started well, but then you had the small mistake?

Febvre: I tried to attack at the beginning of the second race; I knew I was faster, and the track was quite slippery so there was a chance to make the difference. I knew I would win the GP in second, so I wasn't taking chances, and I was usually careful in that corner because there was quite a lot of water there but somehow, I lost the front wheel, my fault. After that I tried to catch Tim again but we both had the same pace, so I had to settle for fifth. Of course, I am disappointed not to win the GP but there were a lot of positives this weekend and I made good points for the championship.

MXlarge: Were you pushing too hard in the second race and that caused the accident?

Febvre: Yes, I was pushing, but I thought the first few laps you are searching for the lines, and I was trying to do that, because it gives the opportunity to pass. I was faster at the beginning and then I found the lines and I was not on his (Prado’s) wheel, but maybe one second a second and a half behind him and then somehow, I lost the front. I had been careful there, because they put a lot of water down there. It happens like this. When the whole weekend went so well and you finish with a crash, it isn’t so good.

MXlarge: You three (Prado, Febvre, Gajser) are really different compared to the rest of the riders, it seems the championship is between you three (and Jeffrey)?

Febvre: It is easy to say it like this, but I think also with Jeffrey, I think us four, we are a little bit better than the rest of the riders. If we start on the front, it is difficult to catch us. Us three have been now three times on the podium in four races, only last weekend I was not there, and Jeffrey was there. If nobody gets injured it will get interesting.

 Pascal Haudiquert images