Kenny Vandueren on Maxime Renaux: “The fun was completely gone, now I see him shining again”

MAxime Renault had one of the most difficult seasons of his career in 2025. Injuries, pain, and a difficult relationship with the bike made it a year to quickly forget. But coach Kenny Vandueren sees a completely different rider at the start this season.

"My biggest priority was to get Maxime fit and healthy again," says Vandueren, a former EMX250 winner himself. "That's what I really focused on in October and November.

The foot, for which the former MX2 world champion had undergone surgery two years ago, was no longer a problem. It was his hip that threw a wrench in the works. Fortunately, he can count on a good team of doctors and physiotherapists to help with such injuries.

Surviving every GP

Renault had a very serious crash in Switzerland last year. It never really came out, but there was serious irritation inside his hip. Every GP was a struggle to survive, with a lot of pain. At this level, you know that high-quality riding is simply no longer possible.

"Because he couldn't train properly anymore, it really put a damper on his performance. Although he did show some good things towards the end, like in China where he was still in the lead. After an intensive recovery program, a training camp on the bike in Calpe, and a build-up on the motorbike in Spain and Sardinia, Renaux is back on track. "We don't have any ailments anymore. I see a very strong and happy Maxime. Yesterday evening he was already sending me some crazy videos — that says it all!

An injured rider might be quicker to point to the bike when things aren't going their way. That's not to say there weren't areas for improvement technically. But that combination of circumstances completely destroyed the fun. Continuing to ride in pain then becomes a battle with yourself.

Bomb in a corset

The biggest challenge for Renault remains keeping himself in check. Vandueren is the first to admit that. "Maxime is full of temperament, like a bombshell! Last year, we started off really strong, but after Argentina, he wanted to pick up that heavy training load right away. Then jet lag kicks in, you make a small mistake with the fatigue—and before you know it, you're ten steps back."

This season, Vandueren is taking a consciously different approach. "I'm going to protect him. He doesn't need 19 Grands Prix and training to the max every week. I'm going to take some of his training away from him and keep him fresh. Mentally, he finds that difficult, but then it will be my job to keep him occupied in a different way."

Tim Gajser as an unexpected advantage?

Vandueren doesn't see the arrival of five-time world champion Tim Gajser to the Yamaha team as a threat, but as an opportunity. "The structure Tim brings, he has so much experience. And the calm that now reigns in the team with two riders instead of three—that's a huge difference. I feel Maxime will only reap the benefits of that."

Moreover, the two rarely train together—Gajser is based in Slovenia—but when they do cross paths, it's excellent. "They get along great. There's no tension between them. Tim is a very pleasant guy and a great member of the team. The fact that Maxime is now a bit more of an underdog with Gajser's arrival certainly doesn't hurt. That makes him all the more dangerous in my opinion!"

The World Championship season kicks off this weekend in Bariloche. For Maxime Renaux, the season begins with one goal: consistency, staying healthy, and finding joy again. Vandueren is ready. "If he's the most consistent, happy athlete, the results will follow."

Last year, the 25-year-old Frenchman kicked off his World Cup campaign with a victory in Argentina. A repeat performance is certainly not a primary goal, but in the shadow of the top favorites, there may be opportunities.

Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: Full Spectrum Media