It was a weekend to remember for the Kawasaki Racing Team at the French Grand Prix in Ernee. In front of a passionate home crowd, Romain Febvre delivered a stunning performance to claim the overall victory after an intense second moto battle with Lucas Coenen. We caught up with KRT team manager, Antti Pyrhönen, to get his thoughts on Febvre’s incredible form, the evolution of the KX450, and how the team is building a competitive program in MX2. Antti also gives insight into working with Pauls Jonass again, the emergence of Mathis Valin, and how much team owner Kimi Räikkönen is involved behind the scenes.
GateDrop: Antti, Ernee, wow! I am sure your heart rate was through the roof. What was it like watching that second moto? An unreal, intense battle between Febvre and Coenen. Your man got the job done which made it even better for you guys!
Pyrhönen: Absolutely, it was very exciting for the complete team. We work and live for those moments. We are super happy for Romain that he won his home GP and the way he did it coming back in both races.
GateDrop: Romain is riding really well this year and has finally won on hard pack again. You must be delighted with the season he is having so far?
Pyrhönen: Romain is in my opinion riding better than ever. He is fast, consistent and physically also very strong. We are very delighted.
GateDrop: Kawasaki brought out a new 450cc last year which meant Febvre had to test/develop it last year. Do you feel like the bike is even better now and Febvre did a lot of the hard work making the bike better for this year? It looks like Febvre is riding as good as ever!
Pyrhönen: We had this bike as a prototype already during the 2023 season, We know the bike very well and were able to fine adjust it year after year.
For this season there came new FIM dB – sound regulations which brought us some extra work but, we were able to find a good package and Romain is very happy. The package was already strong past seasons but now even better.
GateDrop: Kawasaki aren’t used to winning these big titles, the last Kawasaki world champion was Christophe Pourcel in 2006 and that was MX2. Just how much would it mean to get this title this year? There’s still a long way to go!
Pyrhönen: There is still a long way to go. We focus currently only to work hard and take each weekend one by one, race by race. We are on a good position and going for further wins and podiums, this keeps the focus at the highest.
GateDrop: What’s your thoughts on Lucas Coenen – MXGP is a big jump at 18 years old but he’s looking pretty smooth and mature lately!
Pyrhönen: Lucas is riding extremely well and has a strong team around him. Many times even in the past when the MX2 riders came to 450 class or rode the MXoN with a bigger bike they actually performed really well especially the first races and the first year. They carry the intensity and momentum with them from the smaller class, and often it works before you maybe settle in a bit into the class.
GateDrop: What has it been like working with Pauls Jonass again? You know him well from his Husqvarna days of course! He has shown glimpses of what he can do but had an injury which I am sure was frustrating for everyone…
Pyrhönen: It has been great to work with Pauls again, meanwhile many things has changed and developed in our team but, to work with him is the same as before. He is very hard worker, always gives his best and there are no excuses, he is a great team player so only positive things to say.
He liked the Kawasaki since the first meters and actually did very good results considering he was out almost a full season of racing. Unfortunately, he had a nasty crash and injury at the Sardinia round and actually lately very persistent flue so it has been a tough month. He will come to the podium fight again; I am sure of that.
GateDrop: Did Pauls sign a two-year deal? I heard he did but there’s some clause that KRT can decide to opt out of year two if they want? Do you know at this stage if PJ will continue with the team in 2026 or is it still to be decided?
Pyrhönen: Pauls is on a one-year deal and soon we start planning the 2026 season.
GateDrop: Mathis Valin showed some amazing pace during pre-season but then picked up an injury but he’s getting back on track. What is it like working with him?
Pyrhönen: To work with Mathis is very fascinating, to see the progress, and the speed he can do is exciting, We are very convinced of his talent and of his future. But of course nothing comes for free, He will need to gain experience and work for it hard and then everything is possible.
I need to admit that it is very nice to work with the rider of his talent level because on that side there is no limiting factors. Mathis had quite a small but, challenging wrist injury which took longer than we thought but, now race by race he will come stronger.
GateDrop: I don’t think you’ve had an MX2 GP rider since Mikkel Haarup back in the Husqvarna days, are you enjoying running an MX2 GP rider once again? I am sure you are even busier!
Pyrhönen: We never really got a chance in the MX2 World Championship class before. We are enjoying building a proper program for that class as well, it will be busy and will take its time but, we are committed for it and convinced. We have strong group of experienced staff on both teams and that generally helps both to be better and stronger.
GateDrop: The 250cc factory Kawasaki seems like a good bike already and it’s only the first year so you must be happy with how competitive the bike is already?
Pyrhönen: Exactly. We are super happy of the new OEM KX250 Kawasaki has built. It is very strong, reliable and stable base to build on.
GateDrop: Is the plan still to run two MX2 GP riders in 2026? If so, I am sure you are already scouting out who to approach for next year!
Pyrhönen: We are not sure yet. We are currently making the plans.
GateDrop: Do you have much contact with team owner, Kimi Räikkönen? I am sure he’s a happy team boss at the moment!
Pyrhönen: Sure, Kimi is behind the team daily – planning – discussing and behind every major decision we do as a team. We are continuously working on something with him to be better and better.
Some years you work the same and put in the effort and You get almost nowhere because of rider injuries etc… So, knowing the realities of our sport he currently enjoys every moment.
