DThe Pernes-les-Fontaines International Motocross Championship returns on February 8, twenty years after the last edition.
Two decades after hosting its last international race, Pernes-les-Fontaines is making a long-awaited comeback to the French calendar.
The event will be revived on February 8 and is ideally positioned between the InternationaleMX van Valence (February 1) and that of Sommières (February 22). This makes it a logical stopover for riders in full season preparation. With this collaboration, the clubs aim to strengthen the sporting potential of southeastern France and make the French Internationals an unmissable winter highlight once again.
“The aim is to create a wonderful event for the club's 100th anniversary,” explains Yann Piguet President of the Moto Club de Pernes-les-Fontaines, who is busy with preparations, said: "But also to give the riders and teams the opportunity to ride and test before the start of the season. We offer them the opportunity to ride our International, but also to stay for the other races."
We're opening up our circuits so they can refine their preparations and make final adjustments. We coordinated the dates with Valence and Sommières because we felt it was an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Moreover, it's a valuable asset for our clubs and regions. With three international races in February, the drivers can train for blocks, and the spectators can enjoy top-level racing. We really want to get it right and hope the fans will be enthusiastic, because this is a long-term project."
Strategic preparation race
The calendar offers teams and riders a perfect opportunity to refine setups, confirm winter preparations, and gain some extra rhythm before the start of the world, European, and national championships. The club aims to re-establish Pernes-les-Fontaines as a major winter classic.
In 2006, when the last International was held in Pernes-les-Fontaines, Christophe Pourcel the MX2 class for Tyla Rattray en Antoine MeoIn MX1 he took Stefan Everts convincingly the double victory for Joshua Coppins en yves demaria.
"When I became president four years ago, my goal was to revitalize this international event. I started with the Minivert, then we organized the Méditerranée Trophy, and then the French Elite," says Yann Piguet. "This year's Elite race went extremely well. The feedback was positive, and the spectators were numerous. The logical next step was to roll up our sleeves and return to the International format for the club's centenary. Our goal is to get the International de Pernes-les-Fontaines back on the calendar as a regular event."
Circuit with history
The Pernes circuit is no stranger to motocross fans: it hosted more than ten Grands Prix between 1960 and 1997, as well as races for the Sidecar World Championship. More recently, the focus has been on national events, including rounds of the French Elite Championship in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2025, with the 24MX Tour this year attracting a record number of spectators.
With this experience, Moto Club de Pernes aims to reconnect with the international scene and make the event a fixture. The target is 3.000 spectators, essential for its future survival and growth.
"Organizing such an event always involves risk, given the investment—for us, but also for Valence and Sommières," says Piguet. "The biggest challenge is ensuring the future of this type of racing. That's why we're counting on the fans to show up in droves after a twenty-year absence. That would be the greatest reward for the team, which does everything it can to offer great racing, and also for Motors Academy, which manages the circuit and club activities."
Impressive list of participants
The first names immediately set the tone. The Kawasaki KRT team is expected on February 8th with reigning MXGP world champion Romain Febvre, and teammates Pauls jonass en Mathis Valin.
Also Max Renaux (Monster Energy Factory Yamaha), Thibault Benistant en Kevin Horgmo (Honda SR Motoblouz) appear to be present. Also Cedric Soubeyras, Arnaud Tonus, Maxime Desprey en Max nagl Announced. Remarkably, Nagl had already competed in Pernes-les-Fontaines in the MX2 class in 2006—he was only 18 years old at the time!
"We already have a few drivers who have responded positively, others have shown interest, and we're still waiting for confirmation from a few teams," concludes Piguet. "Our goal is to give French fans the chance to see GP drivers in real racing conditions before the start of the World Championship. We're setting the bar high, but we're also taking the right measures to achieve our ambitions. The entire team is incredibly motivated. Of course, there's some healthy pressure, but that's part of it!"
The category Inter MX2/MX1 is held over three heats of 20 minutes + 2 laps. Young riders will also compete in the 125 cc en 85 cc, each with two matches. The public also gets a freestyleshow stars Brice Izzo as Danny Torres.
Entrance fees:
Adults: €25
Children 6–12 years: €10
Children under 6: free
Tickets available at the box office.
GPS coordinates: 43.975874172873446, 5.055357986572453
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