After contesting the first six rounds of the MXGP World Championship as a privateer, Valentin Guillod is taking on a fresh challenge as he gears up for the opening round of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship at Pala.
The Swiss rider had been running his own program in the MXGP paddock but unfortunately picked up an injury at his home Grand Prix in Switzerland. That setback ruled him out of the Portuguese and Spanish rounds, and now Guillod has decided to hit pause on his MXGP privateer project—at least for the time being.
Guillod has made the trip across the Atlantic and will line up at Fox Raceway as a privateer on Yamaha machinery. While it’s currently unclear how many rounds he’ll compete in, the goal is to secure support that will allow him to race the full 11-round series. Should he manage that—and put in some strong performances—there’s even a chance he could qualify for the SMX play-offs.
It’s a bold move and a new chapter for the former MX2 Grand Prix winner, who now faces unfamiliar tracks, a new environment, and different competition. But Guillod has never been one to shy away from a challenge, and all eyes will be on the Swiss talent as he lines up at Pala to kick off his American adventure.
