Romain Febvre returned to the MXGP podium in Sweden with a strong performance at Uddevalla, securing second overall after going 4-2 across the two motos.
The Kawasaki rider has been building momentum in recent rounds, and despite not getting the starts he wanted in the opening race, he showed strong pace and determination to fight his way forward. Febvre eventually worked his way past Andrea Adamo with two laps remaining to secure fourth in the race.
“It was a good GP overall. My speed on race day was pretty okay. Like you said, I didn’t get the best of starts, on the straight, I was not bad, but the first turn with some rider, we touched a little bit and then I lost some places at turn one and turn two. I had to pass Gajser and a few guys before being behind Adamo. I could not find any spot to pass him and I was not riding at my best. But I managed to pass him with two laps to go and then I was fourth. The second moto, it was just much better. I almost got the holeshot, I was first but then Jeffrey passed me on the first lap – I was a little bit too careful, and Tim was also on my back. But I could open the gap by upping my own pace a little bit. I was trying to stay with Jeffrey. Then we had a red flag, but there was only a few laps to go I think. To be five or six seconds behind, I think it was a pretty good ride. I am happy to be back on the box. Especially after the DNF with two laps to go in Lommel, it was really painful”, Febvre stated.
Febvre’s second-moto performance was arguably the highlight of his weekend. After running at the front early on, he settled into a strong rhythm and remained within striking distance of Jeffrey Herlings before the red flag brought the race to an early conclusion.
The podium also represented a positive step forward after Febvre’s after his DNF in Lommel. The Frenchman admitted that he had been fortunate to escape the incident without an injury but then having a bike problem was painful as he missed out on a podium.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s not too hard. I had no luck because my riding was good at Lommel at the moment. In the second moto, I was feeling better but I had a crash, and then I was really lucky and happy to be okay from that crash. So, I just got on the bike, and I was like, there’s only one lap to go. It’s fine, I’m quite fast so I was going to be third on the podium. It’s painful in the moment, but I didn’t change anything. I mean, I was just riding was good and that’s it”.
A new challenge ahead
Febvre’s podium comes at an interesting stage of his career, with the Frenchman having already confirmed that he will leave Kawasaki Racing Team at the end of the 2026 season to join up with Ducati. The decision, he explained, was one he made himself, with the desire for a fresh challenge playing a major role.
“I took the decision by myself, I feel that I’m good with the decision. I’m happy with it and it’s why I did it. I need a new challenge because I’m getting older and older. I feel like if I was staying (with KRT) then maybe the motivation was going to go down. I need a challenge and this is an opportunity to do that so I choose to go. I’m happy with it, for sure, and the next two years I will be still be racing”.
With his return to the podium in Sweden, Febvre has provided another reminder that he remains a serious force at the front of the MXGP field. As he prepares for the final races of his Kawasaki chapter, the Frenchman will be looking to carry this momentum into the remaining rounds before beginning a new challenge with Ducati in 2027.
