For only the third time in nearly a decade, Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP's Romain Febvre took over the red plate of the FIM World MXGP Motocross Championship points-leader. (see MXlarge story about his red plate experience).

"I have spent the last four years chasing the red plate," Febvre told. "So I really wanted it; for me it is no pressure, and it gives me confidence for the rest of the season. But it's still a long series and anything can happen, so I need to stay sharp."

Of course, the last time was at the backend of the sensational 2021 season, when he led the points going into the final round of the series, but lost out to Jeffrey Herlings in that legendary season of MXGP.

"These mud races can go either way—you win big or lose big. In Spain, I struggled and lost a lot of points, so I came here really focused on making good starts, and I did that in both motos. I battled with Lucas (Coenen) the whole way; I passed him twice in the first race, but he came back strong. At one point I had to think smart—I had more to lose than to gain—so I took second overall and grabbed the red plate. I’m feeling very very good about that and looking forward to next weekend."

With his sixth podium in seven rounds to date at a muddy Agueda in central Portugal, consistent results and staying positive have been the key for the Frenchman.

Saturday - Qualification

Febvre overcame a couple of incidents to finish third in Qualifying for the Portuguese round of the FIM World MXGP Motocross Championship at Agueda.

The Frenchman had been outstanding in dry conditions during practice to top Free Practice and miss first gate-pick in Timed Practice by just one-twentieth of a second before a series of heavy rain showers turned the track into a quagmire for Qualifying.

The success of the recent KRT programme of testing on bike set-up for the starts was evident as Febvre stormed to the holeshot, but the joy was nullified five turns later as the berm, soft and unpredictable in the conditions, broke away and he fell and remounted ninth.

Undeterred by the incident he had already regained three positions by the end of the opening lap, was fourth next time round and, setting the fastest laps of the race, homed in on the front-three to take over third with a decisive inside pass on lap five.

The roost from the riders ahead was making vision ever more difficult and there was more drama on the penultimate lap when the rider in second lost control on a descent and the Kawasaki rider, unable to switch his line on the greasy downhill surface, could not avoid a collision. The rider previously in fourth could sneak past as he remounted to finish third.

"The track was really good for practice this morning but after the rain came it was under water for Qualifying. I took the holeshot but half a lap later I was on the ground; I couldn't understand what happened as my front wheel just went over the berm and I was in the mud. I could come back quickly to third but then with two laps to go Jeffrey crashed on a blind downhill The yellow flags came out just as I arrived so I could only see him at the last moment; there was no way to miss him and I crashed too but luckily I could keep third. But it was a scary one!"

Sunday - Red Plate and Podium

Persistent rainstorms overnight and throughout race day demanded skill and tactical finesse from the riders as, despite remarkable work by the Infront track crew, potential dangers lurked at every turn. Good starts were imperative in the conditions, and the Frenchman was twice narrowly edged out for the holeshot; there followed a race-long chase each time as the front two raced clear.

The Kawasaki rider was clearly the faster of the duo, setting the fastest lap times as he nosed in front on two occasions during the first moto, but was denied the final pass each time as his rival stuck doggedly to the optimal race line on the exit from the turns. He again showed patience and maturity to stay out of the roost as the two leaders moved relentlessly clear of their chasers in the second moto and he again showed his pace in the final three laps as he pushed back to within a second on the final lap before a lapper inadvertently cost him the tow.

A brace of second-placed motos earnt second overall on the day - his sixth podium in seven GPs - and he also takes the red plate of the series' points-leader with a twenty-five-point advantage heading to the following GP in Spain next weekend.

"I tried to go for the win, but my goal heading into the races today was to take good starts and not crash as it can be so difficult in these conditions if you crash and get mud on your gloves. We saw today that we have got the starts sorted as I was immediately at the front with Lucas both motos and that will play in our favour as the season continues.

"Of course, I wanted to pass him and indeed I made it happen twice in the first moto, but Lucas could respond immediately both times. In the second moto I could come back onto his rear wheel, but I could not find a line to make the difference. It's hard as a racer to accept but I had more to lose than to win if I had taken a risk, and I leave here with second overall and the red plate.

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