Team GSM confirms Maxime Desprey and Julien Lebeau for SX2

French duo Maxime Desprey and Julien Lebeau will race for Team GSM in the upcoming 2024 FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) season by joining the series’ SX2 250 class.

Desprey, who hails from France’s Burgundy region, is a familiar face in WSX and has been a consistent participant with Team GSM since the championship’s inaugural campaign in 2022.

Last season, the 31-year-old finished fourth in the SX2 standings with a best finish of third overall at the WSX Abu Dhabi GP, going 2-9-2 over the course of three races at the Etihad Arena.

Desprey’s pair of second places in Abu Dhabi mark two of his three GP race podiums, and after coming close to victory, the rider is aiming to take that final step this season.

READ MORE: Team GSM reveals 2024 WSX class riders

Earlier in 2024, Desprey was a dominant force in the French Elite Motocross Championship to claim his third MX1 title, securing five wins and 10 podiums across the 12-race season.

Desprey also etched his name on the French Supercross SX2 Championship crown in 2024 for the fourth time in his career and is aiming for a third title this year in WSX’s SX2 category.

Maxime Desprey, SX2 Rider, Team GSM, said: “I’m excited for what will be my third season in WSX with Team GSM. We’ve built a very strong relationship together over the past few years, and after a competitive run in 2024 with both the French MX1 and French SX2 championship titles, I think we’re in a good position for the WSX SX2 season. Although Vancouver and Perth are new circuits, the fact that we’re returning to Abu Dhabi puts me in a good position because the Etihad Arena was one my best track last year. I’m feeling confident, I’m feeling prepared, and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

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Julien Lebeau will be one of this season’s rookies in WSX when he lines up on the SX2 grid for the first time inside BC Place in Vancouver for the WSX Canadian GP on 26 October.

Despite this, Lebeau is a proven rider and as a three-time German Supercross SX2 champion, will be looking to make an impact alongside Desprey when the 2024 season gets underway.

After finishing fifth in the 2024 Indian Supercross Racing League, Lebeau has his sights locked on a successful debut season in WSX.

Julien Lebeau, SX2 Rider, Team GSM, said: “Joining the WSX SX2 grid with Team GSM is a big opportunity for me, and after some success in Europe, I’m looking forward to racing on the world stage. Maxime is a seasoned rider – one of the best in France – so racing alongside him will be a fantastic opportunity for me to learn and grow. I’ve been working hard, and I’m ready to give the season everything I’ve got.”

Following the WSX Canadian GP on 26 October, Desprey and Lebeau will race twice at HBF Park in Perth on the 23-24 November for the WSX Australian GP. Their season will then end on 4 December with the WSX Abu Dhabi GP at Etihad Arena.

Serge Guidetty, Team Principal, Team GSM, added: “We’re delighted to have Maxime and Julien representing Team GSM in SX2 this season. Maxime has been a cornerstone of our team for a very long time, and we know that he can compete with the best riders in the world. Julien has also injected some fresh energy and talent, and I think he’ll be able to surprise a lot of people this season. We have a strong team pairing, and we’re confident that we can achieve some good results when the season gets underway.”

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