In 2026, Alexis Fueri will return for a third season in the European EMX250 Championship. The big news: the French rider will benefit from the support of the MRT Beta team and the Italian factory. After taking his first podium in the class in 2025, Alexis continues to progress and is edging closer, step by step, to his ultimate goal: securing a ride in the World Championship. One thing is certain — the 2026 season will be decisive if he is to reach the Holy Grail, but all the pieces of the puzzle now seem to be in place.
Kevin Frelaud from DailyMX recently caught up and sent us over the interview.
Alexis, your 2025 season started badly, then came confirmation and that podium in Italy before an injury. In the end, 2025 must have been a season full of lessons. What do you take away from it?
Fueri: Exactly — this season was very tough for me, both mentally and physically. Winter training didn’t go the way I wanted, and I wasn’t as ready as I would have liked. But those are the ups and downs of small teams, and I can’t blame them for that. That podium at Arco did me a lot of good, but I stayed fairly humble: I knew everything had just fallen into place that day. After that, I struggled to repeat and confirm the podium, then I got injured. I suffered a double open fracture of the radius and ulna — I have two plates and twelve screws in my arm.
I didn’t talk much about it because it affected me deeply. I no longer knew where I stood, whether I’d be able to continue, or if I’d have opportunities going forward. After all these complicated seasons, I started doubting myself — but only for a while. I got back to work in the gym without knowing where it would lead. I just wanted to be as ready as possible for the day I’d get back on the bike. When that day came, I also went all-in again just in case I found a ride for 2026 — I wanted to be as prepared as possible. In my opinion, that injury didn’t happen by chance. There were a lot of organisational problems with the team, with the bike, etc. It eventually took over mentally and led to that crash in training. It taught me a lesson about overthinking.
During that period of doubt and self-questioning, I learned a lot about myself and took the opportunity to focus on everything I needed to change. I analysed a lot of my own videos and those of top riders, reorganised my training programme, and so on. I even worked as a temporary worker for a few weeks… Let’s just say that, even if I already knew what I wanted in life, it really helped put things into perspective.
You’ve been announced with Beta for 2026. How did that deal come together?
Fueri: First of all, I really want to thank them! As I said earlier, during my recovery I never stopped pushing on all fronts. I contacted every team possible, by every possible means. And then I had this idea: I thought to myself that Beta had been racing 450s for a few seasons — why wouldn’t they consider doing a 250? So I sent a message… and then nothing — just like with my other messages. Then one day, I was out cycling and my phone rang — they had replied. I’d been pedalling for two and a half hours, so you can imagine it woke me up! They asked me to come and test the bike — I didn’t even know which bike it was. I just replied: “Where, and when?” The test went well; there were lots of positives, but nothing was guaranteed.
A few days later, they finally told me they weren’t going to do the European Championship in 2026. At that moment, everything flipped in my head. I was on the way to training, pulled over at the side of the road, and basically bombarded them with calls. I wanted to understand why, and in the end, I managed to convince them! Later on, I learned that my motivation to make the deal happen made them rethink things and reverse their decision.
What other options did you have for the 2026 season?
Fueri: Honestly? None. By that I mean my goal stayed the same: to remain in the European Championship. I had some opportunities to do the Elite series or other things, but that didn’t interest me — especially at this stage of my career.
Having factory support in 2026, for Beta’s official debut in EMX250, does that add extra pressure for you?
Fueri: It could, but I don’t feel any pressure from them at all. My personal goals are clear, and I’m mainly trying to change the pressure I put on myself. I work on the principle that I do everything in my power to win. If I don’t succeed, then someone was stronger than me that day, and I have to accept it and get back to work.
You were talking about joining them, the support you have, the equipment — it sounded like a first for you. Will conditions be better in 2026 than in 2025?
Fueri: So far, joining them has been perfect! I have everything I need to train, and that’s the only thing I asked for to convince them to give me this ride: I need a training bike and a race bike. For the rest, I manage and find solutions myself.
How does the Beta 250 two-stroke feel? Where are you at with testing and development?
Fueri: I’m over the moon! The bike really works well. Engine-wise, it’s spot on. The two-stroke engine builder often asks me for feedback — but honestly, my answer is always the same: “It’s perfect.” I don’t see what more we could do. I don’t need more horsepower; it’s reliable and smooth. We’re doing a lot of suspension testing at the moment, and it’s the first time I’ve had such complete support and people so involved with me in that area. There’s still some fine-tuning to do, but we’re making progress.
How is preparation going, and how will your winter programme be structured?
Fueri: Winter preparation is honestly going extremely well. Right now, I think it’s the best winter I’ve ever had. During my recovery, I got closer to Jacky Vimond. I applied the same strategy as with Beta — I pushed as hard as possible [laughs]. I showed my motivation every day, spoke openly about my ambitions, and it paid off. My collaboration with Jacky started even before signing with Beta. As soon as I got the green light, I went to pick up the bikes and we headed to Sardinia to ride throughout November. That’s where I first rode the Beta. I’m still in contact with Quentin Thomas, who has always been my trainer. When I’m not with Jacky, I ride with him. We align our programmes and it works perfectly. I really want to thank Jacky for the help, involvement, time, and above all the trust he puts in me. And also Quentin, for the support and continuity since the 85cc days — without him, I wouldn’t be here today.
We imagined that moving up to MX2 in 2026 was on the radar. But to do that, you need the right conditions. You’re going into a third year in EMX250 — is this a key season for your future?
Fueri: Obviously, my goal is to be a world champion — or at least to fight for a world title one day. For that, you need to be well surrounded and have a good bike. But that’s not possible after disappointing seasons like the last two I’ve had. This is my final year in EMX250, and I’m turning up at the first round to win and to be on the podium every weekend. I have no choice: to get a ride in MX2, you have to be at the front in Europe — not fifth, unfortunately.
You’ve done five seasons in the European Championship — three in 125 and two in 250. I’m curious how your view of the professional world has evolved since your debut in 2021 with Maddii compared to today, with more experience.
Fueri: From my point of view, this championship helps you grow both as a rider and as a person. It’s tough — the tracks, the schedule, the number of races, the riders — everything is hard. It’s a shame it isn’t more promoted and showcased, because it’s a great stepping stone. When you’re in an official European team, you get huge support. When I joined the Maddii family, it changed my life not being a privateer anymore. Today, doing a full EMX125 or EMX250 season alone as a privateer is almost impossible — unless you have a lot of money and time.
There are more and more opportunities abroad, especially in Supercross. Some French riders are doing very well with custom programmes. In the medium to long term, what do you see yourself doing?
Fueri: For now, I’m staying focused on my long-term goal. I’m at a stage where I allow myself — and owe it to myself — not to look at the financial balance. I see it as an investment, for the day it pays off. We’re not rolling in money, far from it, but I’m lucky to have parents who can still help me within their means, which allows me to train in good conditions.
Going into Supercross abroad, international races, and so on isn’t what I want right now. I don’t look down on those who do it — quite the opposite — but considering the commitment and investment I’m making, it wouldn’t be worthwhile. If I don’t manage to run at the front in Grands Prix and earn the living I want, I’ll stop. I’ll move on to another path where the time, motivation and commitment I put into riding will truly pay off, and where there’s also less physical risk. Maybe my perspective will change over time — I don’t know.
For now, we’re not there, and I don’t want to think about it too much. Right now, at this precise moment, it’s work, work, work! And we’ll take it day by day — we’re used to that in this sport.
