The iconic event in the south of France will make its long-awaited return on February 1st, 2026, on the circuit of the Moto Club de Valence (Drôme). A piece of news that will certainly delight motocross fans, as this race had long animated the French scene before disappearing in 2016, following an edition that was presented at the time as “the last one.” Never say never.
Words | Press release
Creator of the Valence International Motocross and president of the Moto Club for more than 20 years, Jacques Lebrun emotionally announced in 2016 the end of an adventure that had begun 14 years earlier.
The event had suffered from several editions disrupted by weather conditions and faced numerous financial difficulties, making its organisation increasingly complex. Sadly, Jacques Lebrun also passed away that same year, and the Valence International never managed to find its place on the calendar again.
Ten years later, passion has taken over once more, and the club’s new team is determined to pay him the finest tribute by relaunching the event with a modernised format that remains faithful to tradition.
“There were 13 editions of the Valence International. It was Mr. Lebrun who organised them. He sadly passed away in 2016. Since then, the Moto Club de Valence hasn’t been inactive; we simply moved to a different format. We organised several rounds of the French championships: Sidecar, Quad, Women, Veteran. We run 3 or 4 competitions every year. But deep down, we always wanted to revive the Valence International,”
Explains club president Vincent Marçais, who has since taken over the reins and says he is thrilled at the prospect of once again welcoming riders and spectators to the Drôme for the famous International Motocross everyone hoped to see reborn.
For this 2026 edition, the Moto Club de Valence intends to reconnect with that tradition and is actively working to finalise its rider lineup. The Valence International Motocross will offer a complete and diverse program, true to its DNA. The Inter’ category will see MX2 and MX1 riders battle in a format of three 20-minute + 1 lap motos, with a €30,000 purse to be shared.
At the same time, young riders will race in the 85cc class, while the Jacques Lebrun Trophy will honour passionate regional and amateur riders in the Open class. Women and veterans will also be part of the event, as was the case during the race held in Valence last March, which hosted both the French Veteran Championship and the French Women’s Championship.
