About the World Motocross Championship
The World Motocross Championship, recognised by the FIM (International Motorcycling Federation), is the pinnacle of motocross racing. Based primarily in Europe, the series travels around the globe with rounds also held in South America and Asia. The 2026 season consists of 19 rounds, with each round featuring two races held on outdoor dirt courses featuring naturally undulating terrain and man-made technical sections. The two classes are MXGP (4-stroke 450cc machines, or 2-stroke 250cc machines) and MX2 (4-stroke 250cc machines, or 2-stroke 125cc machines), each contested by specially prepared motocross racers.
Racing in the MXGP class with the Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP are Romain Febvre, returning for his seventh year fresh off winning his second MXGP class title last year, and 2017 MX2 champion Pauls Jonass, who joined the team last year. The veteran and his talented teammate will be aiming for consecutive championship titles.
In MX2, Kawasaki Racing Team MX2, will continue to be represented by Mathis Valin, the 2024 Motocross European Championships EX250 champion who stepped up to MX2 last year. Building on his podium finishes last year, Valin aims to progress further, targeting Grand Prix victories and the series championship.
Riders
Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP
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- #1
- Romain Febvre
- MXGP
- Date of Birth|31 Dec 1991
Career Highlights
2025 1st Motocross World Championship MXGP 2024 5th Motocross World Championship MXGP 2023 2nd Motocross World Championship MXGP 2022 14th Motocross World Championship MXGP 2021 2nd Motocross World Championship MXGP 2020 4th Motocross World Championship MXGP 2019 9th Motocross World Championship MXGP 2018 6th Motocross World Championship MXGP 2017 6th Motocross World Championship MXGP 2016 4th Motocross World Championship MXGP 2015 1st Motocross World Championship MXGP 2014 3rd Motocross World Championship MX2 2013 12th Motocross World Championship MX2 2012 13th Motocross World Championship MX2 -
- #41
- Pauls Jonass
- MXGP
- Date of Birth|13 Jan 1997
Career Highlights
2025 15th Motocross World Championship MXGP 2024 14th Motocross World Championship MXGP 2023 19th Motocross World Championship MXGP 2022 9th Motocross World Championship MXGP 2021 8th Motocross World Championship MXGP 2020 31st Motocross World Championship MXGP 2019 6th Motocross World Championship MXGP 2018 2nd Motocross World Championship MX2 2017 1st Motocross World Championship MX2 2016 5th Motocross World Championship MX2 2015 2nd Motocross World Championship MX2 2014 2nd Motocross World Championship MX2
Kawasaki Racing Team MX2
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us
- #317
- Mathis Valin
- MX2
- Date of Birth|18 Aug 2006
Career Highlights
2025 10th Motocross World Championship MX2 2024 1st Motocross European Championships EMX250 2023 1st Junior Motocross World Championship 2nd Motocross European Championships EMX125
Machines
To compete in the fierce battles that unfold on the broad, dynamic courses in the Motocross World Championship, the Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP fields KX450-SR factory race machines.
Designed to put expert riders on the top step of the podium, the KX450 base model has always featured the latest in advanced technology. Featuring finger-follower valve actuation, the highly tuned liquid-cooled 4-stroke DOHC 4-valve engine is mounted in a highly rigid aluminium frame that ensures superb control when riding at high speed. Complementing advanced electronics that include Power Mode selection, KTRC (Kawasaki TRaction Control) and an Launch Control Mode, Brembo front brake caliper and front master cylinder, adjustable handle and footpeg position, a hydraulic clutch and electric start are some of the features designed to help Kawasaki riders fight at the front of the pack.
In addition to factory tuning, the KX450-SR is equipped with numerous pre-release parts and technology being evaluated for their competitive potential. Advantageous items are then incorporated into the production model.
For the MX2 class, Kawasaki Racing Team MX2 will be competing with the KX250-SR. Like the KX450-SR racing in MXGP, its “SR” designation indicates that it is a Kawasaki factory race machine.
Like every KX motocrosser since the debut of the brand in 1973, the KX250 base machine was designed based on a “Built to Win” philosophy. With finger-follower valve actuation and dual injectors, plus an all-new cylinder head with straight intake and exhaust ports and a single-shaft primary engine balancer, its engine delivers both phenomenal high-rpm power and smooth power delivery. Power Mode selection, KTRC (Kawasaki TRaction Control) and Launch Control Mode; a large-diameter coil spring fork, which contributes to its superb high-speed controllability; a hydraulic clutch and electric start are just some of the KX250’s other high-performance features.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the KX250-SR, which incorporates pre-release technology and parts being developed for the KX250 in addition to factory tuning, is a prototype for future production KX models.
