As always the Valence International Motocross will open the season in France, and many top teams and top riders have already confirmed that they will enter this event two weeks prior the opening MXGP in Qatar.
Fifteen GP teams
With another race scheduled in Italy the same weekend, teams and riders have several opportunities to finalize their program, but thanks to their professionalism and enthusiasm the French club will have a strong line-up in both the MX1 and MX2 classes. No less than fifteen ‘Motocross World Championship’ teams will be involved in Valence 2014: 24MX Honda Racing, Honda J Tech, J Racng Honda, Red Bull Ice One Husqvarna Factory, Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory, Red Bull Factory KTM, STR KTM, HM Plant KTM UK, Standing Construct KTM Racing, Sahkar KTM Racing, Monster Kawasaki Racing Team, Suzuki Factory Rockstar MX1, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe MX2, Kemea Reytec Yamaha and 114 Racing will be in Valence, alongside some strong French teams such as Honda HDI, TMX Competition, VHR and JPM Racing.
Desalle on one of his home track
Several times winner in Valence, Clement Desalle will be there alongside his teammate Kevin Strijbos, with the factory Suzuki team. Three of the top five riders in the last MX1 World Championship will enter Valence, as Gautier Paulin (Kawasaki) also selected the French event for his last race before Qatar. Clement won the last three editions of Valence, while Gautier won two motos in Valence last year. Second in 2013 Xavier Boog (Honda) will be there also, alongside Jens Getteman and Joel Roelants (Honda), Shaun Simpson (KTM), the Ice One Husqvarna squad (Tyla Rattray and Todd Waters), Nicolas Aubin (Honda), Marcus Schiffer (Suzuki), Matis Karro (KTM), Jason Clermont and Fabien Izoird (Suzuki).
Tixier favourite in the MX2
Vice World Champion Jordi Tixier (KTM) will be the favourite of the MX2 class in Valence, after his great 2013 campaign. But the Frenchman will have to beat some countrymen as Romain Febvre (Husqvarna) and Maxime Desprey (Honda) will also enter the event. A strong Swiss team is crossing the boarder, with Valentin Guillod (KTM) and Jeremy Seewer (Suzuki); the MX2 Suzuki team will also line up Glen Coldenhoff and Julien Lieber. Coming from all Europe, Russian Alexander Tonkov (Husqvarna), Bulgarian Peter Petrov (Yamaha), Finn Harry Kullas (KTM), Belgian Damon Graulus (KTM) will be there alongside Australian Luke Styke (Yamaha) and some promising French kids such as Jordan Lacan (Kawasaki), Dan Houzet (KTM), Alexis Verhaegue (Kawasaki). And last but not least, Livia Lancelot (Kawasaki) will also do a last race before flying to Qatar for the opening round of the Women World Championship.
Four classes
In Valence the MX1 and MX2 riders will have two races each, and the top twenty of each class will race the Super Final. Two other classes will be on track in Valence, with the KTM Trophy and an invitational 85cc event. More information available on the website of the club (www.mx-valence.com) or on his Facebook (Moto Club Valence).