Mathis Valin is set to return to racing this weekend at the 79th Motocross of Nations, taking place on October 3-4 in Ernée, France. The French rider will make his comeback after spending the last three months on the sidelines recovering from a neck injury sustained during the MX2 World Championship season.
The 2026 campaign had started in highly promising fashion for the Kawasaki KRT rider. Valin claimed podium finishes at the Grands Prix of Trentino and Lacapelle-Marival before securing his first career MX2 Grand Prix victory in Teutschenthal, Germany. He later added another podium in Latvia, establishing himself as one of the breakout stars of the season.
His momentum came to an abrupt halt at the end of June during the MXGP of Portugal. While leading the MX2 Qualifying Race, Valin suffered a heavy crash that resulted in a neck injury and forced him out of action throughout the summer.
Despite the lengthy absence, the French Motorcycling Federation kept its faith in the young talent, who will line up for Team France this weekend alongside Romain Febvre in MXGP and Tom Vialle in the OPEN class.
“It’s great to be back racing after three months away, and it’s even more special that it’s here at the Motocross of Nations, with Team France… in France!” said Valin. “You don’t immediately get your speed back after such a long break, but I’ve been training four or five days a week for the last six weeks and I can feel the improvement. I didn’t expect to be this strong this quickly, but we’ve done a great job with the team and my trainer. The atmosphere here has already been crazy since Friday. I love the fans and it’s going to be an incredible weekend. I’m ready.”
The event marks Valin’s second appearance at the Motocross of Nations. In 2025, he was part of the French team that secured third place at Ironman alongside Romain Febvre and Maxime Renaux.
Now racing on home soil in Ernée, Valin and Team France will be aiming to return the Chamberlain Trophy to French hands and claim a first Motocross of Nations victory since their triumph at this very venue in 2023.
