Antti Pyrhönen: "The 250 project brings added value to our team"

For the first time in the long history of the FIM Motocross World Championship, Kawasaki will be represented this season with a factory effort in both the MX2 and MXGP classes. Prior to the opening round in Argentina we chatted with Antti Pyrhönen, the manager of the Kawasaki Racing Team whose team principal is former Formula 1 champion Kimi Räikkönen.

Since last summer, when Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. officially announced that they would enter the MX2 World Championship the Kawasaki Racing Team, which will guide this new project, had a busy winter to prepare for the 2025 season. "The team structure has grown quite a bit, with a second team which is KRT MX2 alongside KRT MXGP, so this has been a very intense winter for us even if we started our preparation already mid-way through last season. Indeed there has been a lot of planning and a lot of work to implement those plans but everything has been very positive; we have the knowledge and technical ability to progress even further, and we have the capacity to continue to build with both teams. Our progress is very positive," explained Antti who now has a staff of twenty-two team members entering the new season.

Two challenges
The team faced multiple tasks throughout the winter; to develop the new KX250-SR Kawasaki, and to adapt the KX450-SR to the new FIM regulations, in particular the new noise limit (111dB max instead of 114dB). "The 250 development has been challenging; we have endeavoured to create a very professional structure and to approach the development from every angle; at first it was important to know the standard bike, and then step-by-step to develop various directions together with the rider. We are tackling this methodically which means that we can control each step to optimise performance whilst maintaining reliability. For sure it has been challenging, but once again it brings added value to our team as we have been able to commit even more great technical people to our project, and this gives added technical value to both the MX2 and MXGP programmes. Regarding the 450 programme there is a new FIM sound regulation, which is of course very positive as it is very important to reduce the noise for our sport so we can keep tracks open and alive. This aspect is positive; of course this sound regulation affects power a little, but the riders’ comment have been very positive right from the beginning," added the KRT Manager, who has enjoyed full support from factory staff in Japan all winter. "For the 250 technical development and as well for the 450 technical update and monitoring we enjoy a very close cooperation with KMC staff in Japan. Once again they have been present at all our 2025 tests; they were with us at the MX of Nations last autumn and stayed with us as we had some very intensive 2025 testing. The KMC staff came back to Europe for our winter testing on Sardinia, and it was a very intense, close and productive cooperation day-after-day. We are very fortunate that we can work so closely with the factory, giving us the opportunity and knowledge to keep improving.".

A mix of experience and new blood
While Romain Febvre remains for the sixth year in-a-row as the leader of the squad the Kawasaki Racing Team welcome two new riders with French youngster Mathis Valin and former MX2 World Champion Pauls Jonass. Crowned European 250 Champion last season, Mathis will make his GP debut in Argentina. "To work with a young kid like Mathis Valin is absolutely a privilege! It has been really great because it gives an even bigger boost to me and the complete team to see his talent and motivation for everything; he is so excited in every training session! Everybody in the team sees his talent and to have this level of talent is very rare; maybe it happens once every ten years and to be part of his career and to help him is really great for us! As a person he is very respectful; he keeps his feet firmly on the ground but he is also confident enough to work with us, and it’s very important that he feels confident. Concerning Pauls he is a really professional rider who knows his job, knows his training, and knows how to do the testing. We are really happy to have him in the team; he's a great rider with great potential, has a great work ethic and is a real gain for the team. Romain continues to be a huge motivation; he has so much experience whilst retaining a vibrant enthusiasm. Each year we work with him we learn more about each other and our working relationship gets better and better. Of course it's important for him to manage the season, the pressure and the expectations. Everybody knows what he can deliver but we approach the season working one GP at a time; we know how unpredictable our sport can be and we'll give our best at each and every race. All of the boys have been really motivated, they know their job and we are super happy to have all three riders in the team; the boys are also standing behind the team and we have a truly great and professional atmosphere in the team. Everybody support each other to reach our common goals," added Antti, who remains confident in the build-up to the first gate-drop of the GP season. "There is a big effort from everyone, including KME and KMC, and I want to thank everybody for their commitment and effort. Let's continue and enjoy every moment!"