Bud Racing Kawasaki’s Mathis Valin took over the red plate of the series leader in the FIM European EMX250 Championship after completing his dominant weekend at St Jean d’Angely in his native France with a second moto win and his maiden overall victory in the class.
Mathis was in magnificent form all weekend, confirming his talent as he controlled both motos under fluctuating climatic conditions. He had already secured pole position in a dry Timed Practice and he was clearly not phased when track conditions changed dramatically as rain rolled in from the Atlantic. Fourth through turn one in the first race he quickly slipped through to third within a couple of turns, moved second on lap two and took over the lead on lap four. Quickly opening up a six second lead he maintained his composure in the slippery conditions to eventually take victory by ten seconds.
On Sunday the track was much better but still demanding, but nothing could distract him from the task at hand. Second through turn one he dived past for the lead already on the second long downhill and, displaying immaculate bike-control and mature race-skills beyond his tender years aboard the incomparable KX250, he controlled the race from the front to claim his first EMX250 career overall win in the class with a perfect weekend. He also claimed the red plate of the championship leader and takes a twenty-three point advantage over second to the next round. Kawasaki now also leads the FIM Manufacturers’ Championship.
In the first race teammate Benjamin Garib made a superb start from fifteenth gate-pick to run seventh on the opening lap but a mistake on lap four in the slippery conditions pushed him down to thirteenth and, covered in greasy mud, the Chilean eventually finished eighteenth. On Sunday he had gated twelve but, looking to advance quickly, slipped off on the greasy surface and remounted way back in twenty first position. Posting similar lap times to the top-six he narrowly missed the points by one position and is now twenty-third in the series points-standings.
This win is a great reward for Mathis and all the staff of the team, who worked hard since last winter. It was nice to have so many partners and friends with us this weekend, who were able to celebrate with us this great result.
Mathis Valin:
“A perfect weekend here in France with two moto wins! It was amazing this weekend, and I didn’t feel any pressure; it was just a GP like any other even if I felt the crowd behind me; there was more public than yesterday and it was cool to race with this support. I am so happy and enjoyed every minute. If someone had told me at the beginning of the season that I would hold the red plate this year I’m not sure I would have believed them as there are some strong guys with a lot of experience in this championship, but it’s cool to get the red plate and now I will try to keep it until the end of the season.”
