French talent Sleny Goyer continues to establish himself as one of the standout riders in the EMX125 championship, and his latest podium finish at Arco di Trento only adds to his growing reputation. Now in his first season with the MJC Yamaha squad, Goyer has made the transition from privateer to factory rider look seamless, showing both speed and maturity against a highly competitive field.
Despite battling inconsistent starts across the weekend in Italy, the young Frenchman demonstrated impressive race craft and determination to secure a well-earned podium. With clear confidence in his pace and ambitions firmly set on fighting at the front, Goyer is quickly proving that he has the tools to be a serious contender as the season progresses.
GateDrop: Sleny, that’s Arco di Trento done. You had bad starts, but you still got on the podium. Are you happy with your weekend?
Goyer: It was a good weekend. The first race was good. I actually took a good start around the top five. It was hard to pass to get into second but I was able to finish second. First was fifteen seconds in front, but I finished the race just five seconds behind, so it was good. I had a good rhythm. In the second race, the start was not good at all, it was bad, and around the top twenty. The track was flat so it was hard to pass. I finished sixth, just behind fourth and fifth. The speed was here, but it was hard to pass. It was a good podium, and we will see in France for a good result.
GateDrop: In the first moto, the track was very hard pack, typical French conditions, but overnight, things changed, they levelled it, and there seemed to be a lot more grip there. Just what was the differences in the track?
Goyer: It was a bit sh*t, it was so hard and slippery on Saturday for the first race. In France, I don’t train on a track like this, but it was hard, you don’t have to put a lot of gas because you can slide, so you have to be smooth but it was good.
GateDrop: This is your first year with the MJC Yamaha team. Just how is everything going with the team and being a factory rider?
Goyer: Yeah, it’s my first year with MJC but my second year racing the 125cc. The team is good and put in a lot of work.
GateDrop: Obviously, Levi is injured at the moment, so it means you’re the only rider there. Do you feel there’s more pressure on you to perform, or do you not feel the pressure?
Goyer: No, I don’t feel pressure. With Levi, I think he’s going to arrive in France for the French GP so it’s going to be more cool, you know, with your teammate. I think it’s going to be better.
GateDrop: Coming into this season, what were your goals, what were your expectations? I mean, did you see yourself as a championship threat?
Goyer: Yeah, you know, I broke the engine two times, so I have lost fifty points. Now I’m fifty-two points behind, so I think if I didn’t break the engine, I could have the red plate. I have to be consistent during the races with podiums and wins. We will see at the end of the championship.
GateDrop: Last year, you were a privateer. What was that like? You know, I think it was just you and your dad going to all the races. Was that quite tough? But at the same time, you learned a lot last year.
Goyer: Yeah, last year was very hard. I was just with my father but it was good. I did some good races, always in and around the top ten. I was happy about my first year, but I got an injury in the tendons so I couldn’t finish the year. It was very hard to just be with my father.
GateDrop: This year, what’s the level like in the class? It seems to be very high at the front and you need a good start…
Goyer: Yeah, but it’s always like this, you know, in the European Championship If you start bad, you can’t finish first. It’s very hard like in the second race; I start bad and I finished in sixth. You know, there are a lot of riders that are fast.
