Benoit Paturel is preparing to be France’s main hope for 2017 MX2 FIM Motocross World Championship glory and also carries the expectations of the works Kemea Yamaha squad that will once again run Rinaldi-tuned YZ250FM engines this season. The quietly-spoken Paturel claimed third position in the 2016 campaign behind Jeremy Seewer and champion Jeffrey Herlings and is now one of the athletes – together with the Swiss and Pauls Jonass – touted to sit in Herlings’ vacated throne.

‘It feels OK,’ the 22 year old said of the added spotlight. ‘You just need to do your best in this sport because everyone has the same goal when you get to this level. I have to go race-by-race and try to progress with my riding compared to last year.’

Paturel has been training and working in close conjunction with team trainer Jacky Vimond and teammates Brent Van Doninck and Alvin Ostlund. The three riders in particular have fostered a co-operative relationship even if it is Paturel that arguably carries more billing and anticipation for top results in 2017. ‘We’ve continued with Jacky and his ideas and we have a good atmosphere,’ Benoit said of the dynamic. ‘It’s great to have these teammates with me every day because when I have a bad day they push me to get back up. We push each other and training is easier when it’s like that.’

‘On paper he finished third last year so he should be fighting for first position but this final step is the hard one!’ assesses former world champ and renowned mentor Vimond. ‘The last step is not just about the speed; you have to be very strong mentally. Benoit is good physically – he showed me this winter that he is stronger on the bike and consistent – and he is fast but the biggest obstacle is the mind. He has done a good job so far but now he has to do it in the race and he has a good chance.’

Pauturel took the bronze medal in 2016 with three podium finishes on the Yamaha despite the major upheaval of his mother succumbing to sickness midway through the year. ‘It is different now…but the team helped me so much,’ he says of the difficult period. ‘I’m thinking a lot about what happened – as well my life right now – but I continue to push for my goal. Since I was born I wanted to be world champion and if it doesn’t happen this year it might in the future. I will live in the present and by each moment.’

For the first time since 2009 MX2 will be without the tour-de-force combo of Jeffrey Herlings and the Red Bull KTM. It means the category is an open slate with the dominant Dutchman moving to the MXGP division. Will Paturel relish the Herlings-free void?

‘Yes!’ he smiles. ‘But I know a lot of riders can do very well and I know a few will be there all the time and some young ones will make a step. It will be difficult like every year because this is the world championship and the level always seems to go up. I won’t win the championship in Qatar; I need to be ‘there’ every race.’

Photos by Yamaha/Monster Energy