Honda HRC’s Ruben Fernandez is hoping to carry on his podium streak at the MXGP of France this weekend, held at the magnificent track in Ernee. After third place finishes in Portugal and Spain, where both events were hit by horrendous weather, the Honda CRF450R rider is hoping to make it three in a row, in what should be a dryer event in northern France.
A weekend off was much needed for the teams, in order to clean and dry everything after back-to-back mud events hit the Iberian Peninsula. But with three events in a row now, everything needs to be in good order as the series prepares to pass the halfway mark in this 2025 MXGP World Championship. France is this weekend, followed by Germany and then Latvia and each of them offer a different challenge for the Honda HRC trio of Fernandez, Ferruccio Zanchi and Valerio Lata.
With Fernandez flourishing recently and with third place in the championship standings well within his sights, the hope is that the MX2 pair of Zanchi and Lata will also move up their rankings as the season progresses. Both riders have had their positive moments in the class, and Zanchi had some more of those in Lugo last time out, with a fourth in race one, but neither are satisfied with their current performances and are heading to France motivated to put things right.
Both realise that starts are proving to be crucial and the #73 proved in Spain that the Honda CRF250R is fully capable of rocketing out of the gate, so now the goal is to turn that into consistent top five placings around the first few bends, which can then give them the platform to attack for the rest of the moto.
Apparently there have been some changes to the Ernee track since the last visit there, but one thing that won’t change is the spectacular atmosphere that resonates around the circuit once the bikes hit the dirt. It is a truly incredible feeling to behold and one that the Honda HRC riders are ready for, and excited to try and deliver on such a big stage.
TIMETABLE
SATURDAY: 08:00 EMX125 Group1 Free Practice, 08:30 EMX125 Group 2 Free Practice, 09:00 MXE Time Practice, 09:20 EMX250 Free Practice, 09:50 EMX125 Group 1 Qualifying Practice, 10:30 MX2 Free Practice, 11:00 MXGP Free Practice, 11:50 EMX125 Group 2 Qualifying Practice, 12:30 EMX250 Qualifying Practice, 13:15 MXE Race 1, 13:40 MX2 Time Practice, 14:15 MXGP Time Practice, 15:00 EMX125 Race 1, 15:45 EMX250 Race 1, 16:35 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17:25 MXGP Qualifying Race.
SUNDAY: 09:40 EMX125 Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX250 Race 2, 12:20 MXE Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.
Ruben Fernandez 70
The last two rounds have been really good, standing on the podium in front of all the people who cheered for me. It was great to have friends, family and fans all there in Portugal and Spain, and I think it helped give me the confidence to perform at the level I’ve been trying to be at all season long. Now though, we are heading to France and I want to show that I can do it at all the tracks, and really push forward in the championship.
Ferruccio Zanchi 73
Last time out in Spain was a better representation of my ability, but I’m still not happy with how it went. I showed that when I get a good start, I can run up front, but I know that getting the start begins with the sessions on Saturday and so I need to perform throughout the whole weekend. I’m really hoping that this event can start a run of some good results and show everyone what I’m truly capable of.
Valerio Lata 18
The last couple of rounds have been tough, with the weather and the track conditions not being easy, but I can’t let those be excuses and instead I need to work to improve my skills in those areas. I believe Ernee should be much better experience for me as it is a track I like and I’m excited to go ride on it in again.
Marcus Pereira de Freitas
HRC General Manager – MXGP
A week reset after two eventful GPs was nice for everyone. The bad weather has just been horrible to deal with this year and I really hope that France stays dry for everyone, the teams and all the fans who come out to the races. Ruben had a couple of good rounds at tracks that he likes, so now the hope is that he can continue that on a track that isn’t his favourite. Ferro also showed good signs in Spain so we want to help him keep that feeling, while with Valerio we want him to enjoy himself a bit more and if he can do that, the results will definitely come.
Rider Standings
Pos. Rider Num Nation Points Team
1 Febvre Romain 3 FRA 386 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP
2 Coenen Lucas 96 BEL 337 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
3 Gajser Tim 243 SLO 305 Honda HRC – MXGP
4 Coldenhoff Glenn 259 NDL 277 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
5 Fernandez Ruben 70 SPA 261 Honda HRC – MXGP
6 Renaux Maxime 959 FRA 259 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
7 Bonacorsi Andrea 132 ITA 223 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
8 Vlaanderen Calvin 10 NDL 202 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
9 Horgmo Kevin 24 NOR 195 Honda SR Motoblouz
10 Seewer Jeremy 91 SWI 179 Ducati Factory MX Team
11 Jonass Pauls 41 LAT 142 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP
12 Watson Ben 919 GBR 131 MRT Racing Team Beta
13 Herlings Jeffrey NDL 127
14 Geerts Jago 93 BEL 126 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
15 Guadagnini Mattia 101 ITA 122 Ducati Factory MX Team
16 Pancar Jan 253 SLO 114 TEM JP253 KTM Racing Team
17 Bogers Brian 189 NDL 80 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
18 Gifting Isak 517 SWE 78 JK Racing Yamaha Active
19 Guillod Valentin 92 SWI 72 Wildcard Rider
20 van de Moosdijk Roan NDL 71
21 Brumann Kevin 87 SWI 50 Wildcard Rider
22 Sterry Adam GBR 49
23 Koch Tom 226 GER 35 MRT Racing Team Beta
24 Stauffer Marcel 411 AUT 23 Wildcard Rider
25 van Doninck Brent BEL 22
26 Gilbert Josh GBR 21
27 Ludwig Noah GER 19
28 Spies Maximillian GER 13
29 Cairoli Antonio 222 ITA 10 Ducati Factory MX Team
30 Lupino Alessandro 177 ITA 9 Ducati Factory MX Team
