Newsletter

The official race report service of Kawasaki Racing Team.

EMX, MXGP CASTILLA LA MANCHA - Cozar, SPAIN, 28 Wrzesień 2024

EMX250 title for Mathis Valin in a Kawasaki 1-2

Bud Racing Kawasaki's Mathis Valin claimed the FIM European EMX250 Championship title in style with a race win at Cozar, 250 kilometers south of the Spanish capital Madrid, and was joined by teammate Benjamin Garib in a KX250 1-2 moto finish.

The French teenager immediately stamped his authority on proceedings with fastest time in Free Practice and he also topped the charts early in Timed Practice after each rider's first attempt before being pushed back to third-choice of gate in the closing minutes of the session. Cleverly choosing a mid-gate start position, several gates away from his title rivals, for the first moto of the weekend he powered through turn one to claim a clear holeshot in a KX250 1-2 ahead of Bud teammate Benjamin Garib. Establishing a three-second advantage already on the opening lap the eighteen-year old smartly managed the advantage to sweep home as moto winner thirty minutes later and thus be confirmed as European EMX250 champion in his first season with Kawasaki and hs rookie year in the 250cc class; with a thirty-one point advantage over second in the series, he can now no longer be caught with only one moto remaining. The maximum scoreline also takes Kawasaki to an eight-point lead at the the top of the standings in the FIM Manufacturers' Championship heading into the final race of the series tomorrow morning.
 
Mathis Valin: "This season was incredible; at the start of the year I could never have dreamed that I could win the European title in my rookie season. I'm delighted to secure the title with a race win today, but there is still one moto tomorrow and I want to round out the European Championship with another overall win. Today I got the holeshot and led all the way to win the race; during the last few laps I just tried to stay focused as I didn't want to crash and the gap was not so important as Benjamin was second! I'm happy for him; it's great that he got a good result too. I want to thank Stephane Dasse and the entire Bud team, our coach Thierry (Van Den Bosch) and all my family for their support."
 
Bud teamate Benjamin Garib was also impressive through each practice session to earn fifth-choice of start-gate for racing and confirmed this pace by following Valin through the opening turn of today's race, maintaining second-place throughout the moto and defiantly holding off a last-lap challenge to complete a rousing 1-2 for the Bud team and Kawasaki; he was also the first person to be able to congratulate the new champion after they had crossed the finishing-line. The Chilean has now advanced to seventh in the series points standings.
 
Benjamin Garib: "This moto means a lot to me. This results just shows how hard work pays off; I didn't start the season well with so many muddy races, but this was a new track for everyone and I had a good pace all day. I had Mathis in front of me and it felt like a training moto; now I want to do the same tomorrow. Congratulations to my teammate Mathis; he did a great season and he deserves the title."