Catching Up with… #39 Adrien Malaval | Brought to You by Dirt Care

Catching Up with… #39 Adrien Malaval | Brought to You by Dirt Care

By Billy Rainford

Adrien Malaval is the rider from France who came over to race the Motocross Deschambault rounds of the Canadian Triple Crown Series in both 2024 (He also raced at Walton Raceway) and 2025. It was enough to earn him national number 39 for the 2025 season and so we got in touch with him this past week to get to know him a little better. Here’s what he had to say.

Direct Motocross: Hello, Adrien. We got to know you in 2024 when you showed up to race at MX Deschambault. Many reading this over here likely don’t know your story, so let’s back it up. Can you tell us how old you are, where you’re from, and how you got involved in Motocross in the beginning?

Adrien Malaval: Yes, so I’m Adrien Malaval, I come from south west of France, I’m 27 years old. I started riding at 4 because my father was racing in the past so I was into it really early. One of the first things I remember when I was a kid was watching the World Championship on TV and cheering for the French, so I was already a big fan.

As a kid racing in France, was your goal to race MXGP or MX/SX in the USA?

I raced every French Championship from 65cc to 450, and I started European Championship in 85 class. I’m like a good wine, my result was OK in 65 and went better and better when I moved up to the bigger class. The goal was really to go to the MXGP but I messed up one important year in European 250 and lost the chance to have a good ride for MX2 World Championship. So I decided to stay in French Championship and really perform on a national level.

What other sports did you grow up doing?

 I have tried some sports like soccer and judo, but not so long.

I know Motocross is basically the national sport in Belgium. How popular would you say it is in France?

I feel that in France motocross is not the famous and popular. It starts to be hard to find tracks for training during the week because of the sound or ecological side. But for sure we have the best motocross fans, I believe, just need to watch MXON at Ernée and you will see.

Who would you say is the greatest French rider of all time? I know there are a few you could choose from.

Humm good question, it’s probably JM Bayle, the first French rider who won in the USA but it was a long time ago. But I really liked the time when (Dylan) Ferrandis won 3 or 4 AMA championships. I was a big fan at this time.

When did you turn Pro and what did you race?

I turn Pro, I mean doing like a Pro with a real team around me, at the end of 2016. I signed with a German team to compete in the German MX and SX championship and also we went for the European 250 class. Money-wise, I was independent later.

And how did you get together with Daniel and Jacob Thibault that saw you come to Canada to race their race?

Not really, I heard some story about it, but it didn’t really came to me. It’s really a wish to come racing a full season in a good condition in Canada.  We never know, we will see. And at the end my French team gave me a good contract for 2025 so I decided to stay where I was.

I think there was talk of having you on their new team to race the whole series this past summer? Obviously, that didn’t happen. Did it almost happen?

Not really. I heard some story about it, but it didn’t really come to me. It’s really a wish to come racing a full season in good condition in Canada.  We never know, we will see. And in the end my French team gave me a good contract for 2025, so I decided to stay where I was.

How did your race go this year?

Was the best year of my career, I won my first international Supercross, got 3rd in the French championship against guys like Hormo, who was able to do some top fives in MXGP. I won the Swiss championship in 450. 

In France it’s different than in Canada or a guy like (Jess) Pettis. He is doing the 8 rounds of the Triple Crown and that’s almost it. In France if you want to make money you have to do a lot of races. I’m doing more than 30 races per year. I still have a lot of race to do, like the Supercross of Paris, German championship, or the Indian league. 

What is your opinion on the big double at MX Deschambault that everyone is always talking about? Do you like it or would you change it somehow?

This jump is really cool. It doesn’t need to be longer, but it’s a nice jump. Short story: when I came this year I jumped it first lap first of practice. For a European guy, it’s an accomplishment. Normally, we take a lot of time to start riding fast. Hahaha

What have you been doing since you left Canada?

Since a left Canada, I’m riding the French Supercross Championship and I finished the Swiss Motocross Championship. I had a lot of double race weekends like Saturday night French Supercross and Sunday the Swiss MX Championship with all the travel done during the night.

What are your winter plans?

Like I said, I need to finish the French Supercross, I have to race in Paris Supercross, Finland, Germany and the Indian league. Season is not done yet!

What are your 2026 racing plans?

I don’t know yet. My contract with my French team is over and we will not continue together, so I’m looking for a spot. I have some options at the moment but nothing signed yet. I’m free to go anywhere. Maybe it’s the time for a new goal.

How is Team France going to do at the MXON this year?

Hummm, I hope they will win the MXON. They are one of the strongest teams for sure. Australia has a really strong team also but we never know, maybe it’s gonna be another mudfest this year. Good luck to you guys with the Canadian team.

Who is your choice for the podium?

So, I’m gonna go for France, Australia, USA.

OK, thank you for taking a little bit of time with us over here this week. Good luck with everything and is there anyone you’d like to thank?

Yeap, thank you to you for this interview and all the Quebec friends who helped me these past two years to race the Triple Crown. 

Tchao tchao.