The Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP leader returns to the MXoN with Team France for the first time since 2017. A member of the winning team in 2015, 2016 and 2017, Romain missed the following editions due to injury or for logistic reasons. Back at Ernée, where he won both motos at the 2015 MXoN, Romain joined his teammates earlier this week to prepare for the world-famous event for national teams which the French have already won on six occasions, including five consecutive victories between 2014 and 2018. “I'm delighted to be chosen for my country again, especially after a superb season with six GP victories and many podiums from mid-season. We really have a good team; we have spent a great week together and we know that the fans will be on fire at Ernée! I already raced the Nations three times and we won each time; I know what to expect - the same as my teammates who have also each experienced racing the MXoN - and that is really good. I am the oldest of the three, so I will try to share as much as possible with them my feelings on the track, the lines and to bring them something,” explained Romain, who of course has great memories of 2015. « It was my first selection; I had just claimed the world title and I arrived full of confidence but without really knowing what to expect at this special race. I remember very well the moment when we went onto the track for the first practice on Saturday; it was one of the only times all year that I felt pressure, simply because the public was waiting for us! I told myself at that time that I could not spoil the team's chances of victory, and understood that this race was really something different to a GP. Today, with my previous experience, I no longer feel the stress and I don't put pressure on myself, but if we don't win on Sunday I would of course be disappointed.”
Kawasaki will be represented in several national squads with the support of KRT, F&H Kawasaki, Big Van World MTX Kawasaki and Bud Racing Kawasaki. Kevin Horgmo will be a member of the Norwegian team for his final appearance in the MX2 class with F&H, while Jack Chambers will represent Puerto Rico with Steve Dixon's team. F&H's David Braceras sadly had to decline his selection for the Spanish team due to a last-minute injury, but Chilean Benjamin Garib and Argentina's Joaquin Poli will each be supported by Bud Racing this weekend.