The French Motorcycling Federation (FFM) officially unveils the calendar for the 2026 French Elite Motocross 24MX Championship. Absent from the calendar in order to prepare for its major world event, Lacapelle-Marival gives way to the magnificent Castelnau-de-Lévis track for the opening of the season. The circuit began hosting national events in 1968 and held its first World Championship event in 1974.

Saint-Jean-d'Angély and Romagné return to the calendar after a 2025 season marked by their respective Grand Prix while the 24MX caravan will return to Gaillac-Toulza, the circuit that received the MX1 and MX2 riders in 2025. We will also be pleased to return to Vesoul and Iffendic after two seasons marked by their absences from the calendar.

The winter break is coming to an end for the 24MX Tour. On February 28 and March 1, the French Elite Motocross Championship officially launches its 2026 season on the Castelnau-de-Lévis circuit in the Tarn. With full grids, many riders from the world championship and ideal weather conditions announced, all the ingredients are there for a spectacular kick-off.

Rarely has a season opening presented such density. No less than 234 drivers are expected this weekend:

• 46 riders in MX1
• 53 riders in MX2
• 75 Junior drivers
• 60 Espoirs drivers

An XXL line-up reinforced by the presence of many riders from the MXGP, confirming once again the attractiveness of the French cycle of events as a field of expression at a very high level before the launch of the world campaign.

A new chapter opens for the Espoirs

As tradition dictates, the Espoirs will open the hostilities on Saturday. Deprived of its two leaders Rafael Mennillo and Enzo Herzogenrath, 2025 champion and runner-up who have now moved to the Juniors, the category promises to be more open than ever. We will therefore follow Tim Lopes, member of the French youth team and fourth in the last championship. His colleague in the young blues Loan Torro is also one of the boys to watch, as is the 2025 European 65 champion Mathys Agullo, Arthur Annelot, Conrad Pinchon and Ryan Lustenberger also supported by the FFM network. Also to watch are youngsters like Louis Boutet and Eros Di Carlo Di Benedetto. Sons of former world champions Michaël Pichon and Ben Townley, Lenny and Jaggar will also be in the game.

The tone rises in the Juniors

We shouldn't be bored the next day in the Juniors with a five-star cast. Supported by the KTM TMX Competition team and both in the French Espoir Team, Enzo Herzogenrath and Liam Bruneau have big ambitions. The same goes for the KTM 737 Performance team, which has the Mennillo/Diss-Fenard/Buysshaerts trio. Yamaha MJC's Sleny Goyer and Levi Townley will also be in the field, as will Fantic rider Arno Cazet, who finished third in the 2025 championship. There is no doubt that this 2026 vintage promises to be explosive.

Who will succeed Boisramé in MX2?

On Sunday, March 1st, the pros will put their wheels on the Castelnau-de-Lévis track. MX2 champion last year before injuring his knee during the SX in Paris, Mathys Boisramé returned to training late but did everything possible to be present at the start of this first round. A week before the race, the trend was quite positive, but the decision to line up will be made at the last moment in agreement with the KTM 737 Performance team. Facing him, the Breton will be joined by the two Kawasaki Bud Racing riders Garcia and Cannon, but also Matéo Russi back with Triumph Tech32, Tom Brunet with his 250 YZ 2T, Alexis Fueri and his Beta, not to mention Mano Faure present for the first time in MX2 on his official Yamaha of the VHR team and Saad Soulimani equipped with his TM.

Vialle headlines the big guns!

Among the big guns of MX1, excellent news for the Castelnau public, Tom Vialle will be present with his 450 CR-F of HRC to prepare for the first GP of the season. 2025 champion Kevin Horgmo is back on a new campaign with Honda SR Motoblouz, with his new teammate Thibault Bénistant at his side. Also a 450 rookie, Calvin Fonvieille will start his career with the big guns at home, equipped with a KTM. At Yamaha GSM Dafy Michelin, Maxime Desprey and Bogdan Krajewski will have arguments to make, as will Cédric Soubeyras, Adrien Malaval, Tom Guyon, Jimmy Clochet and Brice Maylin.

A big show in the Tarn

The weather forecast predicts a sunny weekend, ideal conditions to welcome the expected public in large numbers on the Castelnau-de-Lévis circuit. Accessible to all, the event will offer free entry for children under 13, tickets set at €15 on Saturday and €25 on Sunday, as well as a weekend pass at the preferential rate of €25 in presale until February 27 at 8:00 p.m. This opening of the 24MX Tour 2026 is already shaping up to be an unmissable event!

Ticketing: https://mx-castelnaudelevis.fr

2026 French Motocross 24MX Tour Championship

February 28 & March 1 – Castelnau-de-Lévis
April 4 & 5 – Saint-Jean-d'Angély
April 25 & 26 – Romagné
2 & 3 May – Frotey-Lès-Vesoul
June 13 & 14 – Iffendic