Mathis Valin was in sovereign form as he clinched the French MX2 motocross title this weekend; the teenager had a perfect day in the final round of the series at the iconic Ernée track in the Loire region with pole position in the timed practice period and two moto wins. His victory is the fifteenth French title for Bud Racing Kawasaki, the fourth in the MX2 class after Valentin Teillet, Dylan Ferrandis and Maxime Desprey.
Headed to the final round as the virtual leader of the series courtesy of the points compensation with which he was credited as round four of the series had been on the same day as he was representing France at the European Championship in Portugal, Mathis didn’t need to win on the day at Ernée to clinch the title. But those who know Mathis were well aware that it was not his intention to simply secure sufficient points; he wanted to clinch the title with elan! Fastest in timed practice, he grabbed the holeshot and dominated the first race from start-to-finish; in the second moto he quickly passed Calvin Fonvieille to lead the remainder of the race to the chequered flag. With his second double-win of the series – after Romagne – and victory in six of the ten motos, Mathis is a true champion and can now focus on the second part of the European EMX250 Championship with the next round scheduled at the end of July in Lommel (Belgium).
Bud Kawasaki teammate Benjamin Garib progressed throughout the weekend with seventh- and fourth-placed finishes in the two races. Fifth overall on the day, he also ended the season fifth in the series standings.
Mathis Valin: “It was a perfect day with the pole position and two moto wins; I had such a great feeling. I grabbed the holeshot in the first moto and, as my main rival Mathys (Boisrame) crashed, I could concentrate on managing the gap; then in the second race I took the lead during the first lap to win quite easily. It was a great weekend – French champion during my first season on a 250 – and now we must continue to work for the second part of the European Championship. But today I showed once again that I have good speed.”
Benjamin Garib: “Last round in Ernée this weekend, enjoying the track a lot! First moto had a good start but wasn’t riding so comfortable with the bike and track, we made some changes for the second moto which was better and started to feel more like myself. I had a good start again and finished 4th. Now back to supercross for opening round of French SX Tour in Agen this weekend.”
Stéphane Dassé: « This weekend Mathis rode perfectly. He really dominated the weekend with the pole and then two moto wins; quite comfortably I would say. In the first race he took the holeshot and was two seconds a lap faster than Boisrame and nearly three faster than Guyon. It was a perfect day. I have rarely seen him riding with such confidence; it’s encouraging for the second part of the European championship. Benjamin also had a decent weekend; his first moto was a little difficult but he was much better in the second and overall we are happy how this weekend went for the entire team.”
