Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP’s Romain Febvre and Jeremy Seewer each rounded out the 2024 FIM World MXGP Motocross Championship with a moto podium in the final round at Cozar in Spain. Seewer is fourth and Febvre fifth in the final series standings.
On his two-hundredth career GP start Romain Febvre faced an uphill task in race one after getting caught behind an out-of-control rival at turn one but he battled grittily from twelfth to advance to seventh at the end of the first complete lap and by lap seven he made an elegant tight inside move to take over fifth. Continuing his charge he took over fourth three laps from the end and was in the wheeltracks of teammate Jeremy Seewer at the chequered flag. A lightening getaway and clever first turn in race two saw the Frenchman emerge third and he advanced to second on lap seven to pressurize the leader. Pushing for the win with three laps to go his front wheel slipped away on the polished surface, but he had a large enough gap over the chasers to quickly remount without losing a position. Missing a potential ninth podium on the tie-break Romain finished fifth in the final series point standings despite sitting out five GPs with a mid-season thumb injury.
Romain Febvre: «I rode two strong races today; I made two good starts but at the first one the rider in front of me slid out and that cost me a few positions. I was twelfth and came back to fourth, then in the second moto I started in third position to finish second behind Jeffrey (Herlings) with a similar rhythm and speed to him but it was difficult to pass on this track. The result didn’t really reflect my riding, but I’m happy with my second moto, especially on such a track. Now I’m focused on the MX of Nations; Matterley is such a nice track and I feel confident for this last race of the season.”
KRT teammate Jeremy Seewer continued his run of excellent starts to join the title rivals in the top-three for the first eight laps of race one. He did not resist as another rider drove hard under him at this stage as he would still be classified third; it was already known that that rider would be penalised post-race for an infringement. The Swiss faced a lonely ride to fifth in race two after he lost contact to the first four after a few laps but was well clear of any chasers. Fifth overall on the day he ends the series fourth in the championship standings.
Jeremy Seewer: “I had good speed and rode solid with 3-5 motos for fifth overall; there were many positives and I again had three good starts. It was a tough season but I finished fourth overall in the standings. Now I’m looking forward to the Nations. Switzerland has a good team; we are not the favourites but I feel we can fight for top-five.”
Photocredits Full Spectrum Media
