De Baets Yamaha Supported MX Team’s Lotte van Drunen has begun her quest for a third consecutive WMX World Championship with a fighting fourth overall at the MXGP of France. The two-time WMX Champion overcame a heavy fall in the opening race of the season to finish ninth, before placing third in Race Two. The EMX125 series resumed in France with MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 Team’s Sleny Goyer finishing on the overall podium in third, while the returning-from-injury Levi Townley placed fifth.
After competing in three rounds of the MX2 World Championship earlier in the year, van Drunen was excited for the season opener at Lacapelle Marival in southern France. The defending WMX World Champion kicked off the weekend with third in qualifying to set herself up for a promising weekend of racing.
In Race One, van Drunen started the season in the best way possible by executing a perfect jump from the start line and she emerged from the first turn at the front of the 40-rider field. By the end of the opening lap, van Drunen had slipped to third, and then disaster struck as she crashed spectacularly over the finish line jump. Remounting in last place, the 18-year-old then rode an incredible race to make her way up to ninth and claim 12 valuable championship points.
Eager to make amends in Race Two and after the track had been watered heavily overnight, van Drunen rode with caution through the opening laps. From seventh early on, she was into third by the end of lap two, however by this time the leading two riders had broken away at the front. The Dutch sensation then built a comfortable margin over fourth and secured third in the race for fourth overall.
In EMX125, Goyer was aiming to impress in what was his, and the MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 Team’s home race. Posting the third fastest time in his qualifying group marked a strong start to the fifth round of the series, with Goyer focused on maintaining the impressive form he has shown so far in his 2026 campaign.
From 10th on lap one in the opening EMX125 race, Goyer pushed forwards to claim fourth at the finish. Then in Race Two, he capitalised on his strong start aboard his GYTR-kitted YZ125 to place second for third overall. The result marks the third podium appearance from three rounds this season for the young Frenchman, who remains third in the series standings.
Goyer’s teammate Townley made a very welcome return to racing in France. After missing the first four rounds through injury, the New Zealander posted improving results across the two races to post his 7-6 result for fifth overall. The impressive showing places Townley 20th in the EMX125 Championship standings with five rounds remaining.
Following her strong start to the WMX season in France, van Drunen returns to action next weekend in Germany for WMX round two where the EMX250 season resumes. The EMX125 Championship continues alongside the MXGP of Latvia on June 6-7.
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