Bud Racing Kawasaki’s Mathis Valin narrowly missed the podium in round two of the EMX250 Championship at Pietramurata in the Trentino region of northern Italy but the French teenager retained a secure second place in the series standings.

A single slip in each race cost the youngster a second consecutive podium in his rookie season in the class, but he displayed character and determination to regain his composure and charge back up the leaderboard to finish fourth in each moto. He spun out in a loose-surfaced turn on the third lap of Saturday afternoon’s first moto after quickly advancing to fourth; the incident cost him three positions but he responded well to recover fourth place five laps from the close despite discomfort in his leg from the crash. In race two on Sunday morning he found himself squeezed towards the trackside banking heading into the first turn but was again quickly on the move to seventh before tipping over in a tight turn at the start of lap four to surrender two positions. Undaunted by the slip he persevered with decisive passes on consecutive laps mid-moto to make fourth his own four laps from the end. He now trails the championship leader by sixteen points but is seventeen clear of third in the standings.

Bud teammate Benjamin Garib had no joy in Saturday’s first moto as he was involved in a mass collision on the exit from turn one but the Chilean showed his speed and determination in race two as he advanced consequently from a fifteenth-placed start to seventh – with his sights set on fifth – two laps from the finish before a fall pushed him back to eighth at the chequered flag.

Mathis Valin: “ After my crash yesterday I had so much pain in my leg that I could hardly walk when I came back to the team truck and I didn’t sleep so well last night. But today I did my best to get some important points with another fourth-placed finish; in the first part of the race I still had some pain, especially when I was sitting down, but it became less painful mid-moto and I could make some passes. I didn’t really enjoy this track so much but the results show that all the work we did this winter is paying off and overall I’m happy as I’m still second in the standings.”

Benjamin Garib: ” Saturday was not a good way to start the weekend with a crunch at the first corner but my start was better today and I was right on the pack. I could make some good passes but I had a small crash near the end which cost me a couple of places. I enjoyed the track, but it was a new experience and very tricky with the grip; you had to be very careful with line-choice. I’m happy with my riding; I just need to figure out my starts.”

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Mathis Valin was impressive in his first ever 250 European race, as he sensationally raced to a moto victory and second overall on his debut in the European EMX250 Championship in the suburb of Madrid.

On Saturday afternoon Mathis had already shown his potential in the first moto as he charged from sixth on the opening lap to finish third, less than four seconds behind the winner and he was truly in his element in race two on Sunday morning. Gating second he moved confidently into the lead already on the opening lap and controlled the race to the finish in heavy track conditions with deep sticky ruts after extensive overnight track-watering. Quickly breaking away from the chasing pack he showed great maturity to extend his lead to seven seconds by half-distance, coolly maintaining his advantage to the chequered flag. The moto win appeared to the key to overall victory too as he entered the final lap but there was heartbreak as his rival for the top step of the weekend podium was gifted a position three corners from the finish to reverse the overall standings. But, with second overall and a moto win Kawasaki’s class newcomer can look forward with confidence to the next races.

Mathis Valin: “Incredible! Already yesterday I had a good feeling; the track changed a lot throughout the day but that was not a problem as I feel very comfortable on the bike. Then today I had another good start; I took the lead when van Erp crashed and I could made a gap to control the race. I have always enjoyed racing in muddy conditions but to win a moto in my second race on the 250 is incredible! I stayed calm until the chequered flag; I just lost the red plate as Lata gained one position on the last lap but anyway it’s great to be on the podium. We had a good winter with the team and the hard work is paying off, it’s great to offer them this podium and I’m proud of this first moto win.”

Benjamin Garib on the second Bud Racing Kawasaki had to dig deep from midfield starts in both motos from the middle of the gate after a disappointing Timed Practice had left him with sixteenth pick. The Chilean’s frustration was intensified in the first moto as he was dragged down in a multiple-rider pile-up on the opening lap and narrowly missed the points in twenty-second after a tough recovery from the back of the forty-rider pack. Sixteenth in the early stages of race two he advanced to fourteenth by mid-moto and, maintaining his lap times to the finish, grabbed two places on the final lap to finish twelfth.

Benjamin Garib: “I didn’t get the results I wanted this weekend but I will learn from my mistakes; I don’t feel so comfortable in muddy conditions but at least I stayed on two wheels today. My thanks to the team and my mechanics; we will keep pushing and training and look for a return to best form in the French championship race next weekend.”

With three riders, the French team will compete in four different championships in 2024: the French Supercross and Motocross championships, the EMX250 European Motocross Championship, and the WSX World Supercross Championship.

As usual, Team Bud Racing has again this year taken under its wing a young French talent, Mathis Valin (17 yo), who already has a fine list of achievements to his credit, including Junior World Champion, EMX125 European vice-champion and 2023 French Junior Champion.

At the age of 17, Mathis will join the big boys and take part in the French Elite MX2 championship as well as the European EMX250 championship, just like his team-mate, the young Chilean Benjamin Garib, who is back for a second year on his Kawasaki 250. Both will be trained by former Supermotard world champion Thierry Van Den Bosch, the Team’s riding trainer and sports coach for over 5 years.

Currently 7th in the prestigious American Supercross Championship on the West Coast, Anthony Bourdon will be well-prepared to start the French Supercross Championship in the premier class in June. Runner-up in last year’s French SX 450 championship with Bud Racing, he is aiming for the title in 2024. He will also be representing the team and its sponsors at various international events throughout the year.

As for the World Supercross Championship, where the Bud Racing Kawasaki Team is one of ten teams selected by the promoter, the team line-up and calendar will be made official in a few weeks’ time.

Team Bud Racing Kawasaki will kick off the season this weekend with the opening round of the French Motocross Championship at Lacapelle Marival.

Stéphane Dassé: “We can’t wait to start the season. The riders had a great winter, starting earlier than the other years, so that they could be at 100% right from the start of the season. Thierry and I are delighted with their commitment and their state of mind. Mathis has integrated well into the team and the whole team is working in the same direction. As for Benjamin, he’s really keen to show that he can ride in front in Europe in his second year away from his homeland. It’s going to be a long season for our two youngsters, with over 20 races between the French and European championships, starting this weekend with the opening of the French Elite Championship. As for Anthony, he’s having a superb Supercross season in the USA, and will continue to learn there before returning to France for the SX season.”

BUD Racing Kawasaki’s Quentin Prugnières raced to a third-placed finish – his fifth race podium this season – in the second moto of the Turkish round of the FIM European EMX250 Championship at Afyonkarahisar. Teammate Benjamin Garib finished seventh overall, two positions behind Quentin.

In the first moto on Saturday afternoon Quentin advanced from an initial ninth to sixth by half-distance and thrilled onlookers as he was involved in an exciting duel with teammate Benjamin Garib through the final two laps. The BUD teamsters, each racing with absolute fairness, passed and re-passed each other several times before the Chilean edged in front for good three corners from the finish to leave QMP seventh. A sixth-placed getaway in Sunday morning’s race two formed the basis for Quentin to push through to third by lap ten of thirteen and he made that position secure to claim fifth overall over the weekend and consolidate the same ranking in the series prior to the final round in Great Britain on September 23-24th.
Benjamin Garib had already confirmed his arrival on the GP scene during Timed Practice as he set sixth-fastest time, less than half-a-second off pole, and the Chilean showed his commitment as he charged from tenth on the opening lap of race one to take sixth from teammate Prugnières three turns from the finish. He again proved his fighting spirit in a muddy race two to advance from eighth to sixth for seventh overall over the weekend.

Involved in the fourth round of the French Supercross series at Brienon, Anthony Bourdon claimed another podium result with a third position in the main event. Anthony is currently runner up in the SX1 class before the next round, scheduled at Grenoble mid October.

Quentin Marc Prugnières: « My first moto was not so good as I never found my rhythm, but I’m happy with the second race. My start was good but I lost some positions in the first few corners before I found some good lines to come back. I had a good rhythm even though the track was really tricky so you had to ride carefully but I came back to third, not so far from the second position. I was happy to end the weekend with a good result; my thanks to Bud Racing, Stephane, Thierry our trainer, my mechanic and my family who are always behind me.”

Benjamin Garib: “I felt great all day Saturday and for P6 in the first moto, but the track was very different on Sunday after all that rain. I must admit I’m not used to riding in such muddy conditions but I rode my best to finish sixth again for seventh overall. I made it difficult for myself both motos with my starts so I have to work on that, but my goal now is a podium in England. I want to thank BUD Racing, my family and everyone watching online in Chile who send me their support.”

After an excellent season in the 125 class in 2023, the brand-new 125 world champion has decided to join forces with the Bud Racing Kawasaki team to move up to the next category, the EMX250 European Championship.

With a view to developing young riders at the highest level, it seemed logical for Stéphane Dassé to sign the young Frenchman, after he had completed the grand slam of the French 125 championship by winning every round in this class.

Currently second in the EMX125 European Championship after winning three rounds, the 17-year-old from Vendée will be coached by Thierry Van Den Bosch and will move to Hossegor France (where the Team is based) this winter to train with the Team and prepare for the 2024 season. With the EMX250 European Motocross Championship as his main objective, this will be a year of learning for Mathis, who will also take part in the French Elite MX2 Championship and other prestigious events.

Stéphane Dassé: “We’re very happy and looking forward to working with Mathis over the coming seasons. Mathis is a motivated young rider who has done some great things this year after working with Valentin Teillet in Team 737 Performance. He’s open to all disciplines, including Supercross, Motocross and Sand, and that’s what appealed to me when I spoke to him. He’s going to have a big winter with Thierry to prepare for his move up to the EMX250 category, and I’m convinced he can surprise next year already.”

Mathis Valin: “I’m really looking forward to coming to live and work in the Landes, close to the team. The team is involved in several disciplines and that appeals to me a lot. The team seems very close-knit and family-oriented, and I think that’s going to push me to the top. What’s more, Thierry will be able to advise me and help me make the transition to the 250 as smooth as possible. See you soon on the team’s Kawasaki!”