ROMAIN FEBVRE – GOING FOR THE WIN

Twelve months ago, Kawasaki factory rider Romain Febvre took victory at the first ever Grand Prix held at the brand-new facility in Arnhem, Holland. Around a very rough and tricky Motorsportpark Gelderland Midden circuit, the Frenchman went 2-1 to lead home Jorge Prado and Jeremy Seewer in a clinical performance.

Known for his sand riding skills, Febvre has also won in the deep sand of Lommel, and the 2015 MXGP World champion knows that heading to Arnhem this weekend, he will need all his skills and determination to battle with the likes of series leader Tim Gajser, defending champion Jorge Prado, and the hot favourite to win this weekend, Jeffrey Herlings.

“Let’s say,” Febvre said. “Normally I am good in the sand. I have won twice in Lommel, and I won in Arnhem last year, but the way this year went, with my injury and stuff and just coming back, I really didn’t expect to be on the podium in Lommel. Just because, I am missing some riding, I am also missing some physical condition. I decided to just go back to where I started the season, where I was good with, even if I did not feel like 100% physically, but yeah, anyway, my goal was to just to get some flow. And then somehow, in Lommel, I managed to do it really well.”

While he took the win in 2023, Febvre hasn’t ridden the Arnhem sand track as often as many might think. The Motorsportpark Gelderland Midden circuit is a regular training ground for many of the Dutch riders and Febvre has done some laps there, and that does give him something of an advantage over the likes of Gajser and Prado.

“It isn’t a track I am going a lot, but I have ridden there before. It is okay, a bit harder than Lommel, yes, some parts of the track are a little bit harder than Lommel. It is a track I like a lot, last year I won there. However, I am not thinking about that, I just want to get in good condition, get a good flow again.”

Coming off the Grand Prix of Sweden last weekend, where he finished fourth overall, you just know that Febvre will be looking to try and get into the top three overall this coming weekend.

“I had a really good start in the first race in Sweden; I lost two positions, but I stayed with the leading group, so I was happy with my pace. My start in the second race wasn't good and I was thirteenth at the second corner; on a track like this one that's a real problem! At the same time Prado, Gajser and Herlings were in front from the start so I knew that the best I could expect was a fourth, and that's what I achieved. Now we move onto Arnhem this weekend and try and build on the results from Lommel and Sweden.”

With Herlings the favourite, and very experienced around the Motorsportpark Gelderland Midden circuit, and with the Dutchman having huge support from the local fans, it might be the chance for Febvre to silence the crowd and return to the top step of the podium. Whatever happens, expect the Kawasaki rider to be in amongst the major points.

Photo credit : Kawasaki