After 18 Grands Prix, Romain Febvre has collected 16 podiums, including 5 wins, and continues to position himself well to control the end of the season despite growing pressure. Third in the opening moto, then passed by Jeffrey Herlings in the second, he saw not only the GP win but even second place slip away when the Red Bull KTM rider went by. At the end of this 18th round, Febvre conceded 5 points to his Belgian rival on the Afyon track, but still holds a 26-point advantage heading into China and Australia.
“We found some solutions for the start, but a little too late,” explained Romain Febvre after the Afyonkarahisar GP. “I managed to start up front in the second moto and—I think—take the holeshot, but it didn’t work out the same way for me in the first moto because I made a poor jump out of the gate and from there it was more difficult. In the second moto, as always with a good start, everything was easier. Up until mid-race I was leading with a small gap over Jeffrey, but it was enough for me to feel comfortable. Then some lines changed and Jeffrey came back. I was trying to understand where he was faster than me, but when you’re leading like that and don’t manage to open a gap right from the beginning, it’s always harder to know exactly where the difference is. When Jeffrey passed me, I was able to stay with him and I knew Lucas was behind me and would attack until the end. Happy to finish second in the end. Of course, I’m still a bit disappointed because when I was in front, I felt like I had the GP win in my pocket. I tried, but Jeffrey was better than me.”
Romain has been consistent this year. He scored an average of 49 points per GP in the first half of the season; that average hasn’t changed in the second half of the championship. Lucas Coenen, on the other hand, averaged 43 points per GP in the first half of the season, a number that has risen to 51 points in the second half.
As the season heads towards its conclusion, with a potential second MXGP world title in sight, Romain Febvre isn’t changing his approach and continues to tackle the final rounds with the same strategy: go for the win.
“It’s true we’re getting close to the end of the season, but once again, in the second moto, I was still more focused on winning the GP than on the championship points. To feel comfortable and ride well, I just need to try to win, it’s as simple as that. It’s also the only way for me to make sure I gain points,” admitted the Kawasaki KRT rider, who carries the hopes of the green brand that hasn’t won the premier-class title since 1998 with Tortelli. “After the first moto, I could see that something was missing: the start. I was able to stay in touch the whole race despite my start in the opening moto—I had to pass Tim Gajser and lost a lot of time. I knew I could run up front with a better start in the second moto.”
It’s all square heading into the final two rounds of the season, which will take place on new tracks in China and Australia. Against the fiery Lucas Coenen, Romain Febvre will be counting on his experience. Next weekend in Shanghai, the Frenchman will line up for his 177th Grand Prix in the premier class, compared to just the 19th for Lucas Coenen.
“The last two tracks of the season will be new for everyone. I think China will be the toughest with the weather. We’ve already seen some photos and videos of the track in Australia—it looks great and it won’t be too hot there, so that should be fine. Once we’ve raced the GP of China, I think we’ll have done the hardest part.”
