Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1545985
WIND IN THE P24 Romain Febvre parted ways with Kawasaki and has signed a two- year contract with the Red Bull Ducati Factory MXGP Team for 2027 and 2028. Febvre To Ducati T he Red Bull Ducati Factory MXGP Team has revealed that Romain Febvre will com- pete on the Ducati Desmo450 MX in 2027 and 2028 under a two-year contract. Shortly before the an - nouncement from Ducati, Feb- vre and Kawasaki revealed the two parties would be ending their seven-year relationship at the conclusion of the 2026 MXGP season. The 34-year-old from France joined the factory Kawasaki Racing Team in 2020 and won the MXGP title in 2025, as well as securing two runner-up fin - ishes in 2021 and 2023, riding the KX450-SR. His first MXGP World title came in 2015 riding for the Yamaha Factory Racing team, and before that, he landed a third-place finish in the 2014 MX2 World Championship with Husqvarna. "It's now time in a few months to part ways with Ka - wasaki after so many seasons in green, and, of course, a lot of memories, a lot of good results, and a lot of achieve - ments together," Febvre said. "A long part of my career will stay forever with Kawasaki; we have been together for seven years, which is a lot in a rider's career. We reached our ultimate goal, which was the World title last year, after fight - ing for the title in 2021—my first season with Kawasaki— and 2023." "It has been a great privi - lege to work alongside one of the most successful riders of the last decade," said Antti Pyrhonen, KRT team manager. "A huge commitment from Romain, from Kawasaki and from all the KRT team, which finally culminated in the MXGP World title. "Romain, thank you for these years and for your unyield - ing mentality, memories and achievements, which will last forever. Let's go for it until the end; everything is possible." We didn't have to wait long to learn about Febvre's future plans, as Ducati announced one day later the signing of Febvre to its Red Bull Ducati Factory MXGP Team for the next two seasons. After 13 rounds of the 19-round 2026 MXGP Cham - pionship, Febvre sits 25 points behind runner-up Lucas Coenen. Jeffrey Herlings is atop the leaderboard with 615 points, 49 points ahead of Coenen. CN