France will attempt to add an eighth star to their national jersey in Ernée next October, and on home soil!
This Thursday, the French Motorcycle Federation (FFM) revealed the identities of the three riders who will represent France at the 2026 edition of the Motocross of Nations, which will be held in Mayenne — the scene of their most recent victory in 2023.
With little surprise, the French team will consist of Romain Febvre, Tom Vialle and Mathis Valin. It is a trio that has never previously been lined up together.
The objective will be clear: dethrone Australia, who have won the last two editions. However, the defending champions will have their work cut out for them without the Lawrence brothers this year. Jett and Hunter Lawrence have announced that they do not plan to race during the off-season, choosing instead to enjoy a period of rest while also giving the members of the Honda HRC US-based staff some time off.
The reigning MXGP World Champion and current championship runner-up, Romain Febvre’s selection was a simple decision. The French rider — still searching for his first Grand Prix victory of the season — will represent France for the seventh time. He will also contest his final Motocross of Nations under the Kawasaki colours. Across six appearances, Romain Febvre has tasted four team victories… Never four without five?
Back in the World Championship this season and having moved up to MXGP, Tom Vialle has made more than convincing beginnings in the premier class. A Grand Prix winner in Switzerland and a rider with four podium finishes (Italy, Czech Republic, Sweden and the Netherlands), the Honda HRC factory rider has quickly adapted to the 450 and continues to deliver when it matters most, as demonstrated at the Motocross of Nations.
During his most recent appearance at Ernée in 2023, Tom Vialle won the Nations alongside Romain Febvre and Maxime Renaux, while also taking the individual MX2 victory ahead of Hunter Lawrence and Kay de Wolf (who will ultimately be absent this year after suffering an injury on Tuesday). This year, he will contest his fourth Motocross of Nations, and his first in the MXGP class.
For Mathis Valin, it will be his second selection for the Motocross of Nations. The Factory Kawasaki rider has only just returned to riding following the vertebrae injury he sustained in Portugal and now has a month to prepare for the event. Alongside Romain Febvre and Maxime Renaux, Mathis helped France secure third place at the 2025 edition held at Ironman.
After being affected by several physical problems this season, Maxime Renaux will miss the final three Grands Prix and does not feature in the French team selection this year — the first time since 2021 that the Yamaha rider will not represent France.
