SATURDAY QUALIFYING SETS THE STAGE FOR GLOBAL SHOWDOWN IN ROMAGNÉ.
Saturday in Romagné marked the first full day of action at the 2025 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship, with riders in the 125cc, 85cc, and 65cc categories taking on the 1,580-metre French circuit. Under a mix of clouds and sunshine, the young talents from around the world enjoyed a lively and focused atmosphere as they began their weekend with Free Practice sessions. Split into two groups per category, riders had their first opportunity to get familiar with the track and fine-tune their settings ahead of competition.
The afternoon was dedicated to Time Practice, where the stakes were higher as riders pushed to clock the fastest laps and secure their gate pick for Sunday’s races. With the order of the results from both groups determining the start line advantage, every second counted. Across all classes, lap times were tight, and the level of intensity reflected just how much is on the line. With qualification now settled, the scene is perfectly set for a thrilling day of racing in Romagné.
Italy’s Nicolò Alvisi set the benchmark with the fastest lap of the day at 1:50.269, leading Group B and earning first gate pick for Race 1. Just behind, France’s Mano Faure topped Group A with a strong 1:50.441, followed closely by fellow Frenchman Liam Bruneau. Sweden’s Alve Callemo, Italy’s Niccolò Mannini, and the Netherlands’ Dean Gregoire also showed strong pace, all placing themselves in the front half of the gate. With such tight lap times across the board, Sunday’s races promise to be packed with action and national pride.
The final four spots on the JMX125 Race 1 grid were decided in Saturday’s Last Chance Race, and the intensity was high as riders gave it everything for one more shot at Sunday’s main event. Eliot Vidalenc from Switzerland claimed the win. He was followed closely by Hayden Statt (GBR), Dante Lantz (SWE), and Tristan Prueitt (USA), who posted the fastest lap of the race in his charge through the field. These four riders earned their way into the main lineup, joining an already stacked field of international contenders.
With the full 40-rider grid now confirmed, Italy’s Nicolò Alvisi leads the pack after topping Saturday’s time practice, followed by Mano Faure (FRA), Alve Callemo (SWE), Liam Bruneau (FRA), and Niccolò Mannini (ITA). Notable challengers include the Dutch duo Dean Gregoire and Dani Heitink, as well as strong entries from Belgium, the USA, South Africa, and Latvia. With top talents from across the globe and four determined qualifiers fresh off a hard-fought last chance battle, Sunday’s JMX125 races are poised to deliver thrilling action from the very first gate drop.
During Saturday’s Time Practice sessions for the 85cc category, Estonia’s Lucas Leok delivered the standout performance of the day, setting the fastest lap in Group A with a blistering 1:55.749. The young Estonian will take the coveted first gate pick into Sunday’s races. France’s Enzo Herzogenrath and American rider Gauge Brown followed with impressive laps of their own. Group B saw Italy’s Francesco Assini top the sheets, narrowly ahead of Easton Graves (USA) and Jackson Vick (USA), adding further international flavour to the front of the starting gate. The sessions were a testament to the depth of talent across the field, with riders from Australia, Spain, and New Zealand also placing strongly.
The Last Chance Race for the 85cc class provided the final opportunity for riders to secure their place in Sunday’s races. Austria’s Davi Duer seized the moment, taking a dominant win and earning his slot in the main event. He was joined by Italy’s Pietro Riganti, and Spaniards Santiago Cordero and Celso Rodriguez Casillas, completing the 40-rider grid. The lineup is now set for a spectacular showdown, with France’s Herzogenrath, Estonia’s Leok, and USA’s Gauge Brown and Easton Graves among the top contenders aiming to make their mark on the world stage.
During Time Practice, France’s Arthur Annelot set the pace with the fastest overall time of 2:04.275 in Group A, earning the coveted first gate pick for Sunday’s races. He was followed closely by Spain’s Eleu Jose and Mathys Agullo, also from France. In Group B, USA’s Kannon Zabojnik topped the session with a solid 2:06.423.
Last Chance Race for the 65cc class, where four final riders fought their way into Sunday’s main event. Australia’s Kye Sproule dominated the race with a convincing win and securing his place on the starting line. Joining him were Martin-Markus Ansi (Estonia), Milan Rubeš (Czech Republic), and Forrest Roberts (Great Britain), who all earned their slots in Race 1. These final additions completed the full 40-rider lineup ready to go bar-to-bar in Romagné.
France’s Arthur Annelot leads the field after topping Time Practice, followed by Kannon Zabojnik (USA), Eleu Jose (Spain), Liam Morette (France), and Mathys Agullo (France). Other standout names include Mason Ezergailis (Australia), Izan Rodriguez (Spain), Levi Geis (USA), and Raycin Kyler, who makes history as the first girl ever selected to represent Team USA in the Junior Motocross World Championship, and qualifying for Sunday. With 40 riders from across the globe on the line, the stage is set for a thrilling day of racing on Sunday.
Bild/Text: Infront