2015 MXGP World Champion Romain Febvre has commented on the imminent arrival of three times MX2 title winner and former rival Jeffrey Herlings into the category for 2017 and has hinted that the series could see yet another rookie having a sizeable impact at the very top.

Febvre was a surprise No.1 in 2015 and the first debutant conqueror of the crown since Tony Cairoli triumphed in 2009. Last year the factory Monster Energy Yamaha rider battled with another MX2 graduate Tim Gajser; the Slovenian eventually giving Honda their first championship in the premier class since 2000.

The Frenchman, who took his very first Grand Prix victory in Brazil 2014 in the MX2 class and with Herlings absent through injury, will now cross swords with the Dutchman once more. ‘It is hard to know exactly what to expect but he is a talented rider and I’m sure he won’t be fighting for tenth place! I think it could be similar to Gajser and he’ll be going for the win right away,’ he offered.

‘It is always interesting to see what a rider can do moving up from MX2 and for me especially it will be interesting to race with him again after two years, #461 added. ‘It is a new face for the class and that can only be good as well.’

Photos by Ray Archer