Romain Febvre and Kawasaki are parting ways – is a big surprise coming next?
What had been hinted at in recent weeks is now official: Romain Febvre and Kawasaki will part ways after the 2026 season. After seven years together, one of the most successful partnerships in recent MXGP history comes to an end.
With his 2025 MXGP World Championship title, two runner-up finishes, and a total of 13 Grand Prix victories and 28 race wins in Kawasaki colors, the Frenchman defined an era for the green-clad team. However, their shared history isn't over yet. Rider and team plan to contest the final races of the 2026 World Championship season together – with the clear goal of concluding their partnership with another outstanding result.
"It's time for a new chapter."
For Febvre, saying goodbye after seven years is not easy. "A large part of my career will forever be linked to Kawasaki," the Frenchman explains. "We achieved our major goal and won the World Championship title together last year. I had great people around me from day one."
Febvre particularly emphasizes the joint development of the current KX450-SR. After the motorcycle underwent a fundamental overhaul in 2023, they missed the title by only a few points. An injury sidelined him a year later, before he finally achieved his long-awaited world championship victory in 2025.
Even though the transfer is already confirmed, the focus is currently on the final stretch of the season. "The season isn't over yet. I'll give it my all until the checkered flag of the last race."
Where does the path lead?
With the official confirmation of the split, attention now turns to Febvre's future. While it hasn't yet been announced which factory team the Frenchman will ride for in 2027, it's an open secret in the paddock that he has already made his decision.
For months, Romain Febvre was considered a strong candidate for Triumph's new 450cc factory project. No wonder: the current factory effort from the British manufacturer is run by the same team the Frenchman worked with back in 2021.
Instead, evidence is increasingly pointing to a different scenario. There is growing talk that Febvre could join the Ducati factory team in the future. There, he is expected to advance the MXGP project led by Louis Vosters.
Should this move materialize, it would undoubtedly be one of the biggest surprises of recent years. While Ducati has already made considerable progress with the Desmo450 MX, its MXGP project is still in a development phase. Podium finishes have been the exception so far, with the factory team usually finishing in the midfield. A rider of Romain Febvre's caliber would send a clear signal to Ducati that they intend to launch their attack on the world championship much more quickly.
A clear signal from Ducati?
That's precisely why signing Febvre would send a strong signal. The Frenchman has been one of the most consistent riders in MXGP for years and brings not only speed but also enormous experience. These qualities could be invaluable for Ducati if the factory wants to take the next step towards the top.
Whether the rumors are true remains to be seen. Neither Ducati nor Febvre's management have commented on his future so far.
A farewell with respect
Kawasaki team manager Antti Pyrhönen also bid farewell to the world champion with warm words. He said it had been a privilege to work with one of the most successful riders of the past decade for many years. Their shared world championship title was the result of the great commitment of everyone involved.
Until the end of the season, both sides want to focus fully on the sport once again. Only then will it become clear whether Romain Febvre will actually swap the green motorcycle for red – thus opening the next chapter of his career at Ducati – or whether his path will lead him elsewhere.