No doubt about it, Kawasaki Factory rider, Romain Febvre is up for the fight. While the young Belgian, Lucas Coenen is showing ridiculous speed at the moment and has won his share of races in recent weeks, Febvre is matching this exciting teenager with his own victories. Now two GP wins in a row and taking his GP win tally to 24, the 2015 World MXGP champion is looking at becoming one of very few riders to win championships a decade apart.

Only Georges Jobe, Stefan Everts and Antonio Cairoli have succeeded with that decoration. Jobe did it from 1980 until 1992, Everts from 1990 until 2006, Cairoli from 2005 until 2017. Jeffrey Herlings came close with a nine-year gap, from 2012 until 2021.

With nine rounds gone, and the points 441 to Febvre and 394 to Coenen, anything is possible, but with the next healthy rider (Glenn Coldenhoff) on 302 points, it’s hard to see anyone else win this championship outside of the Frenchman and the Belgian. Of course, in our beautiful sport, anything is possible at any given time.

With 2-1-2-3-2-1 results from the last two GPs, it is clear, Febvre rose to the occasion, after Coenen had won in both Switzerland and Portugal, and still, the battle is long but over. The Belgian has gone 1-1-1-1-4-1-1-2 in the last eight Sunday races and is clearly, in great form. Coenen has pulled back 12 points in the last four rounds, but as we mentioned, Febvre isn’t here to play, he means business.

His weekend at the magnificent Ernee circuit was impressive. Of course, he has won Motocross of Nations events there and he just seems to rise when he has a crowd behind him. Here is what he thought of his weekend.

Saturday Qualifier

I felt good on the bike all day but my start in the Quali was not so good; I touched with Fernandez out of the gate, had to brake and lost my speed. I turned well on the inside at the first turn, was able to pass to third and was battling for second but the track was really fast today so there were not many options to try to pass.

A Victory at Home

Big win in France for sure. Everyone wanted that I win and I had a good first moto from a bad start and that second moto I had a better start, behind Lucas, and he was riding really good and I looked for a line to pass him, but he made a mistake and I got him. You can not imagine who good I feel about this win. Amazing to win at home, with so many fans. We were lucky with the weather. I have no words to win like this, in both races and it means a lot to me.

Winning at home is just incredible. The atmosphere, the fans—it means so much to me. Both races were intense battles, and to come out on top here in France makes it even more special. We were lucky with the weather too, so a big thank you to everyone who came out and supported!

Feeling good on the bike

I just feel so good on the bike at the moment! In fact, I have felt great all season but coming home to race in France is always very special. I am trying to win every weekend but at home it feels even better, and it was fantastic for the public that we stayed lucky with the weather all weekend.

The Coenen Battles

I had two good races, and it was a really crazy battle both motos. In the first moto I had a bad start, but I rode a really strong race to come back to second. In the second moto I was soon second to Lucas; I could get close and I tried many lines to pass but he was riding well; then a new line opened up on the inside coming down the hill and I could make it happen on the following uphill when he slid a little coming out of the turn.

The Pressure

I don't usually feel pressure, but I have to admit that I did for the rest of that race because I didn't want to disappoint the French public. They are really close through the valley, and I could even hear them coming down the hills; it was a great atmosphere. Winning is special anywhere but to win here in France was amazing; thankyou to everyone who came here to support me!

Pascal Haudiquert/Kawasaki images