Mathis Valin has done it. After podium finishes at Arco di Trento and Lacapelle-Marival, the French rider secured his very first MX2 World Championship Grand Prix victory on a Teutschenthal circuit made especially difficult by the heavy rain that fell on Sunday.
Despite the treacherous conditions, Mathis Valin remained composed from start to finish and managed to make the most of the situation. After producing two excellent starts, he battled for victory with Sacha Coenen before a mistake from the Belgian rider in the second moto opened the door. The Frenchman needed no second invitation, pulling away to claim his first-ever MX2 moto win, which also secured the first Grand Prix victory of his MX2 World Championship career.
“It was a really good weekend,” explained Mathis Valin after his victory in Germany. “Once again, I had really good speed on the track. I also got two good starts, which was important. In the first moto, Sacha and I were pushing hard and managed to build a nice gap over third place. It was a really good first moto for me, and it was more or less the same in the second moto. Sacha and I started first and second again, and he had a small crash which allowed me to pass him. From there, I had a really good race and was pushing hard. Obviously, it’s been a very good day overall. Finally getting a win feels great, and I’m really happy.”
In his second MX2 season, Mathis Valin continues to take important steps forward. Hampered by several physical setbacks at the start of the 2026 campaign, the French rider never strayed from his path. Taking advantage of the break in the calendar to return to full fitness, he continued working with the Kawasaki KRT team without making any major changes. That approach is now paying off. Rewarded with his first World Championship victory, Valin leaves Germany with a huge boost in confidence. The result confirms that he now possesses the speed, consistency and maturity required to win in the category.
“What changed this time? Honestly, I don’t really know,” continued Mathis. “We haven’t changed much. I was injured at the beginning of the season, so I didn’t ride much and didn’t do much testing either. I think it’s mainly a matter of confidence. I know I can get good starts with the bike, and I know my speed is coming back. I’m more consistent now and I have more confidence as well. This is my third consecutive podium, so I think I’m capable of being consistent and fighting for the podium every weekend. At least, I hope so. We’ll see next weekend, but that’s what I’m here for.”
Mathis Valin succeeds Thibault Benistant as the latest French rider to win in MX2 (2023).
By winning in Germany this weekend, Mathis Valin ends a ten-year wait for Kawasaki in the MX2 World Championship. You have to go back to the Loket Grand Prix in 2016 to find the last victory for the Japanese manufacturer in the category, courtesy of a certain Dylan Ferrandis.
Since then, several riders have raced the KX250F with varying degrees of success, particularly within the Bud Racing Kawasaki, F&H Kawasaki and DRT Kawasaki structures. Darian Sanayei, Jed Beaton, Adam Sterry, Mathys Boisramé, Mikkel Haarup, Henry Jacobi, Roan van de Moosdijk, Wilson Todd, Kevin Horgmo, Jack Chambers, David Braceras and Quentin Prugnières all tried to return the brand to the top step of the podium but were unable to secure that elusive victory.
To rewrite the story, Kawasaki had to restart the factory project — something they did in 2025. Looking to breathe new life into their MX2 programme, Kawasaki reintroduced a full factory effort within the Kawasaki KRT structure and placed their faith in a young Frenchman who had just been crowned EMX250 European Champion with Bud Racing: Mathis Valin.
A first season to learn. A second season to deliver.
By winning the German Grand Prix, Mathis Valin has not only secured his first World Championship victory; he has also returned Kawasaki to the top step of the MX2 podium and intends to make sure it doesn’t take another decade for the next win to come.
“With Kawasaki, we’ve worked for this. We work to win as many races as possible, and giving them another MX2 victory is a good thing. Now we need to be able to repeat it every weekend, but it’s nice to finally get that first win on the board.”
Valin leaves Germany sixth in the championship standings after gaining eight points on Camden McLellan, seventeen points on Liam Everts and Simon Längenfelder, thirteen points on Guillem Farrés and one point on Sacha Coenen.
