In the fast-paced world of MXGP, few private teams have managed to carve out a consistent presence like Josse Sallefranque’s SR Motoblouz Honda squad. From an initial short-term deal with Jeremy Van Horebeek back in 2019 to a full-fledged MXGP operation, Sallefranque has established himself as a key player in the paddock.
In this interview, he opens up about the evolution of his team, the challenges of running a private outfit, and his goals for the future. He also shares insights on working with top riders like Valentin Guillod, Kevin Horgmo, and new signing Alberto Forato, as well as the importance of beach racing and the role of Yves Demaria in shaping his team.
GateDrop: Josse, let’s go back to your first GP season with Jeremy Van Horebeek… you signed him back in 2019 but if I remember correctly you signed him for the beach races and only the first couple of GP’s but you ended up doing the full series and six years later you still run an MXGP team, you must have really caught the bug and love being in the paddock (laughs)?
Sallefranque: Yes, exactly. My team really started in 2011 but after a few titles in France we had the opportunity to work with Jeremy Van Horebeek. With the good results we had with him, I wanted to stay and continue in MXGP. It’s not easy to have a private team in MXGP but we have good partners to help me to continue my passion for Motocross.
GateDrop: It was obviously the first time for you running an MXGP team but you had a rider under the awning who was used to being a full factory rider. Was that difficult and did working with Jeremy help you to improve etc for the future?
Sallefranque: Jeremy helped us a lot but we worked very hard to improve. The most difficult thing is to find budget to have the best mechanics, best parts etc… but after we had a good organisation between Jeremy, Jeremy’s family and me.
GateDrop: You do a great job running a private team in MXGP. Just how difficult is it when it comes to budgets and planning for the season – 20 GP’s is a lot…
Sallefranque: Yes, sure twenty rounds of GP’s is very difficult for the planning. In terms of budget, the most difficult are the oversea GP’s but now Infront Moto Racing help the private teams for the flight-case when we make all season.
GateDrop: There’s no Standing Construct Honda anymore and you have done a great job, have you earned anymore official support from Honda compared to the past? If not, I am sure it would be welcome!
Sallefranque: Yes, I am sorry for Honda Standing construct team, it was a really good Team. Yes, now we have more support from Honda Europe and HRC to take a step.
GateDrop: The past three years Valentin Guillod has been under the awning and the last two years he finished ninth in the MXGP World Championship. A remarkable job by him and the team, it would be hard to expect much more… What was it like to work with him and what was the decision for him parting ways with the team heading into the 2025 season?
Sallefranque: Yes, we did a really good job with Valentin Guillod and we are happy with his job. But it was the time to stop with him because it was difficult to organize a good training with Yves Demaria. We preferred to stop together with the good results.
GateDrop: You signed up Kevin Horgmo for the 2024 season and he had a superb rookie season – the best placed rookie finishing eighth in the championship. What made you take the decision to sign him up for 2024 and I am sure even you were impressed with how he did in his rookie season?
Sallefranque: For sure Kevin is a very good rider. It was important for me and Yves to work with a young rider and Kevin Horgmo had the best profile for us. He is serious, fast and very professional.
GateDrop: Alberto Forato is a new recruit for the team, a great character! What was the decision behind singing him for 2025?
Sallefranque: Yes we are happy to have Alby for this new season. He is really fast and a young rider also because he is just 24 years old. The Team Standing Construct and Honda help me to have him on the team.
GateDrop: What expectations do you have for both riders heading into the 2025 MXGP season?
Sallefranque: We hope to have our riders in the top ten and if we take a maximum of a top five, we will be happy.
GateDrop: Yves Demaria plays a big role in your team as the rider coach, you also allow him to train other riders (Thibault Benistant) for example. How much of a big role does Yves play in your team?
Sallefranque: Yves Demaria is sportive manager. He organises the training, testing of bikes and his experience is really important for the team.
GateDrop: It isn’t getting any easier for non-factory teams in MXGP… What’s your long term goals for the team in the future? Do you see yourself being part of the MXGP paddock for a number of years?
Sallefranque: Yes, my goal is to take a step again and I hope to have good help with our partners and Honda to continue in the MXGP World Championship.
GateDrop: The beach races are also important for your team, Lars van Berkel and Cyril Genot contest these races for the team. Why are these races important for the team and you must be happy with two riders you have for them – they’re both very competitive…
Sallefranque: The beach races are really important for the Team because it’s a championship with many riders and our French sponsors have a good return with these races. We have two good riders and we hope to win l’Enduropale du Touquet soon.
GateDrop: You are very busy with the team contesting in MXGP, French Elite, SX Tour, Pro Hexis and Sand Beach Races. How do you balance this out? It is a busy schedule for yourself and the team…
Sallefranque: Yes, we have a big planning but it’s important for the team to make all these championships for our sponsors. We have a good organisation with the good staff, because we have good mechanics, a good coach and a good wife because she accepts my planning and helps me.
GateDrop: I believe the team were in talks to sign Anthony Bourdon for French SX but he has got a big injury, what does that mean for him in the future? Could we still see him on a SR Honda?
Sallefranque: We can speak about this in few weeks…
GateDrop: Charles Lefrançois has been racing French SX for the team but I believe he has parted ways with the team – do you still intend on contesting the French SX series this year and in the future?
Sallefranque: Yes we will do this championship again in 2025.
GateDrop: You run the Pro Hexis series, are you willing to invest more time in this series to make it bigger in the future?
Sallefranque: No, now we have just one race because my planning is full so I can’t make more than that.
