This is how Mathis Valin grabbed the title of European Champion 250, signing a new double in Cozar, part of the final. He offered Team Bud Racing Kawasaki its first European sacred in this category, and the second European title after Brian Moreau’s 125 title in 2017.
Third in the timed session on Saturday, Mathis would opt for a mid-grid position for the first round, moving away from his rivals in the title race. Signing the holeshot in front of Benjamin Garib, Mathis closed the first round with three seconds ahead and he would comfort this lead over the laps to win the round and also secure the title, in his first season on Kawasaki and in this 250 category. Sunday he was going to sign an excellent start again, but turning wide in the first quick corner he was coming out of the second corner in second position. A result enough for him to win the event, but Mathis wanted more and in the fifth round he took the lead of the race ahead of his dolphin in the championship. Resisting pressure to the end, he won his tenth round of the year, his fourth event (three of them with a double victory) and climbed his ninth podium in a space of eleven races. Results that allow Kawasaki to stand out among manufacturers elsewhere!
Benjamin Garib was also impressive on Saturday, pitching in the wake of Mathis and occupying second place during the entire round; at the end of the race he would push back a final attack to give Team Bud and Kawasaki a double. His departure on Sunday will not be as good, Benjamin scoring sixteenth before regaining some positions as the laps. Ninth to two-thirds of the race he will close the gap with the previous riders, but not having time to pass at least one to secure a third step on the podium. Fourth in the event, one point away from the podium, he signs his best outing of the year and ranks seventh in the championship.
Mathis Valin:
“This season was incredible; at the beginning of the season I never thought I could win the European title in my first year in 250.” My goal was to get close to the top 5, but I actually won almost half the races to get that title. I was happy to grab the title in the first round Saturday, but I came here determined to win the title and this final and we did it! It was a great and incredible season, I would like to thank Stéphane Dassé and the whole Bud team, our coach Thierry (Van Den Bosch) and my whole family for their support. Now I’m going to have a little break and then winter training will start a new phase of my career with a new bike, a new team and a new life since I’m moving to Lommel”.
Benjamin Garib:
“This first round means a lot to me. These results just show that hard work pays off, didn’t start the season well with all the muddy races but here the track was new to everyone and had a good pace all weekend. Saturday I followed Mathis and it was like training; then Sunday I got off to a bad start, and had to regain places even though it’s hard to double up here. I had the speed but stuck behind the riders for a long time, and when I got ninth the gap was too big with eighth to take a spot and get on the podium. But I’ll keep the first leg positive, it was a good note to end the season. I want to thank everyone in the team Bud Kawasaki, for everything they have done for me for two years, we have kept improving, and we have had a great time together”.
Stéphane Dasse:
“We’re super happy. It was a perfect season for us, we win the Elite title in France and then the European Championship! There was a great atmosphere with both riders in the team, our bike was competitive, and Mathis surprised us! When we signed him for two years we didn’t expect him to have such a good result this year but he’s very strong mentally, we’ve seen him progress throughout the year and since mid-season he’s really moved on another level. He is now ready to move to MX2, and we wish him all the best in the team factory. On our side we will continue to invest in young riders in the European Championship; this is what we love and with this championship, the French Championship, the Paris Supercross and the World Supercross Championship we have a solid program that takes care of us well”.
